Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Sorry about the poor quality, i'm having some focus problems with my camera.

The dimensions are 5' x 2' x 18"

As you can see in the pic, I haven't gotten all of the edging on the lower cage.

I also need to get some handles & locks for the slide doors on both cages.

Eric

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If Jesus is your co-pilot, you'd better change seats!

Here's one just the top cage...

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If Jesus is your co-pilot, you'd better change seats!

This one shows the lighting & the wire routing.

Notice how I used the left over pieces of melamine as spacers between the upper & lower cages. I'm on a budget & can't waste anything!
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If Jesus is your co-pilot, you'd better change seats!

>>This one shows the lighting & the wire routing.
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>>Notice how I used the left over pieces of melamine as spacers between the upper & lower cages. I'm on a budget & can't waste anything!
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>>If Jesus is your co-pilot, you'd better change seats!
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If Jesus is your co-pilot, you'd better change seats!

Hmmm, I forgot to post the last pic & then when I tried again, the previous message was duplicated.
Maybe the 3rd time will be the charm...

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If Jesus is your co-pilot, you'd better change seats!

here's a close up of the wiring

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If Jesus is your co-pilot, you'd better change seats!

and finally, here's a snakes eye view from inside, showing the vents. There are 3 on each end.

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If Jesus is your co-pilot, you'd better change seats!

only thing I'd be inclined to change would be to give them bigger water bowls..... but again just my 2 cents.

Is that an original design or did someone in here have something similar?? Again great job.

Dean

It's sorta my design & sorta not. I've been looking at professionally built cages as well as reading the caging & habitat design forum for months now & just built the best cage I could with the resources I had.

Bigger water bowls huh? Consider it done. How large do you suggest?

Eventually, the heat rocks will be replaced as well, probably with radiant heat panels but, for now they'll have to do. Besides, they work pretty well when used with a dimmer switch to regulate the heat.

Eric
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If Jesus is your co-pilot, you'd better change seats!

You were right, the black glass track does look fantastic against the white melamine.

Just an FYI, if you start to have some bubbling and wear on the melamine in the future it's pretty easy to go in a protect it with a layer of vinyl film. The stuff used in the sign industry.

The nice thing about the vinyl film is that it's cheaper and more durable than the contact paper so many use to protect the inside of melamine and MDF cages. But best is that the adhesive is non-water based, meaning you can apply it with a wet squeegee technique. Really the only way to laminate it onto the inside of an already assembled cage. You can't do that with contact paper without weakening the adhesive.
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Current snakes:

0.1 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Silver/Yellow)

1.2 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Green)

7.6 Gonyosoma janseni - (Black)

0.1 Gonyosoma janseni - (Black & Tan)

I use 8 qt tupperware containers for indigos.

Doug T

>>Bigger water bowls huh? Consider it done. How large do you suggest?

Is there a reason why you use such large water bowls? Is that necessary or a personal preference?

Thanks!

Eric
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If Jesus is your co-pilot, you'd better change seats!

It helps maintain more humidity in the cage, they can crawl in if it gets too hot and it gives me a visual clue to do something to lower the heat (only happened once). Also, they can't knock it over.
Doug T

>>Is there a reason why you use such large water bowls? Is that necessary or a personal preference?
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>>Thanks!
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>>Eric
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>>If Jesus is your co-pilot, you'd better change seats!

you are correct sir [taylor].........if they cannot tip it over, you've solved the problem instead of treating the symptoms. just don't overfill.....

Eric, you did a fantastic job with these cages; I only wish I had the "know how" to do this myself but I don't. I saw the way you have the light cord running through the back and out (and what looks like the plastic fasteners to hold it in place). Having learned a hard lesson myself, I would recommend not doing this because even though you may think you have it firmly attached to the back wall, you will be truly surprised by what kind of trouble a curious indigo will get itself in. I had a very similar arrangement in one of our display cages and I thought there was no way possible for our display indigo to get into trouble; well, he did and almost hanged himself. Thankfully, we discovered him in time and he was fine after a few traumatic moments getting him out. We then ran the cord directly from the light so that there was no space and haven't had any problems since. Just wanted to share that with you.

Your little pudgy run girl is doing great and it looks like I have at least one museum ready to take her (I'll keep you posted). Rob

>>here's a close up of the wiring
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>>If Jesus is your co-pilot, you'd better change seats!
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Rob Carmichael, Curator
The Wildlife Discovery Center at Elawa Farm
Lake Forest, IL

Great job Eric - cages look great. I'm sure your animals will love 'em!

Take care,
Justin