Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Step 3: Framing the floor
With this step I actually start building. They way I am building this cage, the frame for the floor is going to be the exact INSIDE dimension of the cage. So, as I said before this cage will be 6’ wide. That means I will actually make the floor frame 3” smaller in width. So the total dimensions of the floor frame become 120” X 69”. The cross members in turn will be cut another 3” shorter to allow the 1 ½” (x2) thickness of the outside 2”x4” rail. I’m going to secure all cross members with 2-3” drywall screws on each side. I’m going to use a total of 9 cross members on 15” centers. Why? Well, this cage needs to be very sturdy, and the rest of the cage is only going to be as strong as the frame. Besides, 15” centers just come out even. After the frame is screwed together, I attached a total of 19 2” casters. These casters are rated at 125lbs each so that gives me a 2,375 pound capacity. (Yes, I am building this in the basement on a concrete floor covered with carpet; I would not build something this heavy on an upper level of a house). That is it for step one, the floor frame is complete.
Paul

NP

the casters were attached

members were attached

Where I placed the screws to attache a cross member, then put a cast right under the joint.

Not that I am criticizing what you are doing, but perhaps you would explain why you need such a big cage. I know before you mentioned Basilisks but you didn't say you were constructing a cage for them.

Also you mentioned it was built in your basement maybe you could explain why it needs casters at all I mean 60Sft of space is a lot how much will you really need to move it.

And you didn't mention it being able to be dismantled, are builing it to be dismantled so it could come out of the basement. If not why not build a room instead of a large moveable cage 2300pds and up is a lot to move most people can't push a small car in nuetral let alone a large cage weighting simlar to such car and on smaller wheels no less.

Maybe I don't see the point. If I owned a large warehouse with a level concrete floor maybe be but a 1200sft basement no.

My 2 Cents
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"I am become death, the destroyer of worlds" July 16, 1945 Robert Oppenheimer

In my first post of the series I explained my philosophy for keeping reptiles these days. I mentioned that in my 20 years of experience,I noticed that the more space I afford my animals the more natural behaviours I am rewarded with observing. So my question to you is, why not? I have the time, money, space, so why not give my lizards a home that is a little roomy? Even a cage this big pales in comparison to the room they are used to.

As far as the weight and the casters, first. I put it on casters so I could easily move it around as I build it. Plus, the plumbing and electrical will need to be accesible from any side. . .in time you will see. The water alone in a 100 gallon pond will weigh 800 ponds all by itself, I plan on having atleast that, more with a stream and waterfall. Also, there will be severl hundred pounds of dirt and sand for them to dig in.

And again, if I could provide this type of setup to my animals, why on earth not?

Hope that helps.
Paul Kemes

Paul,
Like I said before I was not Criticizing you for building a large cage I admire the effort. But you didn't answer my question. Why not build it pernement? Are you building it to be disassembled easily and moved out of the basement?

>>In my first post of the series I explained my philosophy for keeping reptiles these days. I mentioned that in my 20 years of experience,I noticed that the more space I afford my animals the more natural behaviours I am rewarded with observing. So my question to you is, why not?

First off I never put you down for building a large enclosure and if you are so touchy about the subject maybe there are other underlining objectons to your new basement creation!

>>I have the time, money, space, so why not give my lizards a home that is a little roomy? Even a cage this big pales in comparison to the room they are used to.

Thats great but why build it indoors at all why not spend all that time and money and build it outdoors in a heated green house or quanset with plenty of room.

>>As far as the weight and the casters, first. I put it on casters so I could easily move it around as I build it. Plus, the plumbing and electrical will need to be accesible from any side. . .in time you will see. The water alone in a 100 gallon pond will weigh 800 ponds all by itself, I plan on having atleast that, more with a stream and waterfall. Also, there will be severl hundred pounds of dirt and sand for them to dig in.
>>
>>And again, if I could provide this type of setup to my animals, why on earth not?
>>
>>Hope that helps.

Nope sure dosn't the reason I posted in the first place is because inexperianced people in this forum my not understand some of the philosophy behind its construction. Hence the reason I asked you those few questions if the first post to allow you to explain yourself better.

You however came right out and defended yourself as if I was personally attacking you which I said right off I was not intending to do. Maybe if you have such hostility caused by such a project you shouldn't be instructing those less fortunate then yourself.

I don't need your advice because I don't see the need for such a large enclosure thats "mobile". Your cage is bigger than my bathroom. I surely wouldn't make that mobile merely to axcess some plumbing. Your project to me seems more like something a person renting rather than owning would be more inclined to use. I asked about its intentions before but once again you were to quick to judge.

Breath then rethink your response. No one is here to say you are wrong.

Jeremy
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"I am become death, the destroyer of worlds" July 16, 1945 Robert Oppenheimer

I did not feel criticized or take anything as an attach, and I thought I did answer your question(s). The first question you asked was:
"Not that I am criticizing what you are doing, but perhaps you would explain why you need such a big cage."

I refered you to my first post in this series which explained that question before I began. I certainly don't need a cage so big. I just want one. I explained what my experience has taught me. In the past couple of years at any one time I've had as many as 200 reptiles representing as many as 10 species. I'm changing direction, downsizing. I've slowy been selling off cages and animals and making room in my basement. I have decided to work with only 2 species of reptiles. 1 snakespecies and 1 lizard species. In my reponse to your post I replied "I noticed that the more space I afford my animals the more natural behaviours I am rewarded with observing." So that is what I am doing. This current project is to build as big a cage as feasible in the space I have. It IS permanent, it IS NOT meant to be moved outside or easily dissasembled. I will be able to dissasemble it, but not easily. And based on my experience, there will come a time when I'll need to move it away from the wall just 6-12". The casters are for that day. The cage itself will weigh only 100-200 pounds max. It's the water, sand, dirt, rocks, and branches that will furnish it that make it soo heavy.

In your follow up response you ask:
"Thats great but why build it indoors at all why not spend all that time and money and build it outdoors in a heated green house or quanset with plenty of room."

Well, that's simple. I do not want it outside. I want to sit in the comfort of my home, listen to some tunes, or read a book, while enjoying the sound of moving water, and be able to look over and watch some of my favorite animals. Someday I may build an outdoor enclosure, but right now I don't want to.

You go on to say:
"the reason I posted in the first place is because inexperianced people in this forum my not understand some of the philosophy behind its construction. Hence the reason I asked you those few questions if the first post to allow you to explain yourself better."

I realize this and I feel I explained this quite well in the first 3 part of this series. In fact, that is what the first three were all about. Here they are agian for your reference:
http://forums.kingsnake.com/view.php?id=787872,787872
http://forums.kingsnake.com/view.php?id=778850,778850
http://forums.kingsnake.com/view.php?id=776852,776852

As for this comment:
"First off I never put you down for building a large enclosure and if you are so touchy about the subject maybe there are other underlining objectons to your new basement creation!"

I didn't feel put down at all, I am not touchy, and thanks for the psychoanalysis, but there are no such objections. My wife is also excited about this project as she is working on a companion website for the project.

And this comment:
"Maybe if you have such hostility caused by such a project you shouldn't be instructing those less fortunate then yourself."

Hostility? Really? Please tell me where you found hostility? As far as the rest of the comment of yours, I made it VERY clear from the begining this was not an instruction, I simply thought others may (or in your case) may not benefit from my sharing my process. But perhaps your right, maybe I shouldn't share my experience, but for you to say I am "instructing those less fortunate" is very inappropriate of you and I did not appreciate that.

And finally, your comment:
"Breath then rethink your response."

I do regularly breath, deeply on occasion, and unfortunetly with some shortness when working hard. But really dude, for you to make that last comment after accusing me of hostility is presently causeing me shortness of breath from laughing so hard at the irony.

Paul Kemes

That looks increadible! I am trying to think up how to build one myself and seeing yours I think I need to take more time to design - As I can tell you have.

I did have one question - Is it just me or in the picture of the front is there a cat leaned down looking into it or is just my imagination?
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Bryan, Atlanta GA

1-0-0 Ball Python - Apep
1-1-0 Rats... no wait... ROTTEN Little Cats - Ra, Bastet
1-0-0 Horse... whoops... BIG Golden Retriever - Jake
0-1-0 Wife
2-0-0 Kids

she's a Maine coon

Same kind we have (well she is part that anyway). Thanks for those great pictures of the cage! The creativity that goes into these really amazes me sometimes!
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Bryan, Atlanta GA

1-0-0 Ball Python - Apep
1-1-0 Rats... no wait... ROTTEN Little Cats - Ra, Bastet
1-0-0 Horse... whoops... BIG Golden Retriever - Jake
0-1-0 Wife
2-0-0 Kids

i like to see cages with the plumbing, ponds filtration etc. ill be anxious to see the final project.

one thing though, what weight are those casters rated at? they look to me like they are under 100lbs each, maybe even under 75lbs. with all that weight, even with as many as there are you may need them to be more heavy duty, i cant really tell by the pics, so if you have already taken this into account just disregard what i said.
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1.1 Gargoyle geckos
1.1 leucistic leopard gecko
0.0.1 asian golden tree frog
1.0 oriental firebelly toad
0.1 european firebelly toad
1.0 albino betta
1.0 orange tabby
0.0.1 asian painted frog
1.0 broad headed skink
0.0.1 fowlers toad
1.1 red eyed tree frog
1.1 red eared sliders
476.769.47 feeder crickets