Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Ive got the basic box, 8x4x3ft using 3/4 inch plywood, but the front is where it gets confusing. What kind of glass, and how do I make the doors. Any design ideas would be great.

Can I use a thin sheet of plexiglass on the bottom wood as a water proof barrier and glue it on with liquid nails or screw it on and use aquarium silicone only around the edges and screw holes?
(it will have a deep substrate so I think the plexiglass might be okay to use)Or I could use shower liner, whichever is cheaper.

I i would take pond liner and line the bottom of the enclosure .I would make sliding glass doors with plexiglass. Also what species of monitor is going to be housed in the enclosure ?

Savannah monitor.I would think plexiglass wouldnt last.It would just get scratched up in no time.I have quarter inch tempered glass already and would love to just use that instead of buying something new.

ya i would use the tempered glass instead of the plexi glass.

I'm also in the process of building a cage, although mine is smaller @ 5'x 3' x 4' I was running into the same dilemma myself, I've heard that installing sliding glass doors is no easy feat, that measurements have to be exact otherwise they will not slide. Plus tempered glass weighs appx 3.5lbs/SF any tips on installing the guides?

***DON'T USE LIQUID NAILS!***
That stuff is nasty. It contains benzene which is a carcinogen. Also, it takes a long time to cure, and until it is completely cured, the benzene and other chemicals will be out-gassing into your home. I would never consider using liquid nails where it could come in contact with living things. It's fine once it's fully cured and buried behind sheet rock.

I'll bet if you went to a cabinet shop with the dimensions for the front of the cage, you could find someone to make you a wood frame for a door with properly reinforced glued corners (with doweled or mortise-tenon joint). They could easily router a groove on the back side for your plate glass window, which you could secure with silicone adhesive. Then it's just a matter of adding a latch and hinges and mounting it.

You could just use silicone, or find another glue that is non-toxic. There are a lot out there that are safer than liquid nails.
MSDS for Liquid Nails

Boat loads of design ideas right here. Great way to make use of scrap styrofoam and save it from the landfill.

killer enclosure