Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Is it hard to build custom cages out of melamine that have sliding glass fronts and custom vents too? Also how hard/easy is it to build racks to fit rubbermaid boxes? And is it expensive or cost efficient.

well I just build my first Mel rack and it was pretty easy.. although I dont have any doors on it.. dont really need em.. cost me about $150 for all the parts including heat tape and tubs.. its 48" x 36" x 16" and I got all the precut melanine so you could do it cheaper if you cut it yourself im guessing..

I used sterlite 32q tubs from target. Total tub cost for 10 tubs was about $55. I too got pre-cut sheets of melamine from Southern Lumber, my total cost there was 65 with the box of screws and tacs that would be needed for assembly and holding down heat tape. 15 feet of 11" heat tape shipped about another 60. So that makes my total cost around 180 or 18 per enclosure. It was also VERY easy to assemble. I assembled it in about 20 minutes with the help of a good cordless drill.

I plan on buying a big apple herp thermostat for this, so that will bring the total cost up a bit, but I think it will be well worth it knowing how much troubles I've had struggling to maintain proper temps.

both easy to build,basically a box , the racks for tubs are simple,put your sides and top together the width and height you desire.then with it laying on floor place your rubbermaids on the first shelf the way they would go,put your next board under the rubbermaid to fit snug the way you like and mark it then screw it in from sides,all the shelfs will then be the same measurements or continue to place rubbermaids in to mark shelfs if more comfortable doing it thata way...Once you get started on it (if first time)your building confidence will increase and soon you will have a room full...Oh put a peice of pegboard or regular boards going across in the back for more stability.goodluck and happy herping,steveJ

Also if you look through this forum there is a post with instructions and pictures that helped me.. and on the breeders area of the webpage Apalachian Reptile Breeders also has great instructions on how to build a rack, how to build a incubator out of an old frig, and even how to build a reptile house! pretty cool site I thought..