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#1272637

Shay_
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"How To" cages

It’s been a while since we’ve had a good thread dedicated to cages, and we have plenty of new members so I figure it’s time. I’ve seen several pics of death traps out there recently so lets post some pics of quality cages and discuss what makes them quality

if the cage is made from wood, line it with FRP, especially where the dirt will be. Otherwise your cages shelf life will be limited.

by placing the ply wood on the inside it makes it a lot easier to seal it with the FRP. Would be difficult to cover all the structure beams

a cheap plastic sink works wonders for changing water if you have the drain hooked up to a valve. I drain this right down my driveway without breaking my back.

1 or 2 small vents like this is all you’ll need. I keep them a few inches off the dirt line so that all my heat and humidity stays in the cage.

a small fan works wonders for reducing temps and humidity if they get out of control during the summers

a set of 3 low wattage bulbs is better for a basking area than a single high wattage bulb. A ceramic heat emitter (CHE) is used to heat one side of the cage. Curly lights are efficient and bright to light your cage

I can easily keep 80% humidity in this cage for months at a time without adding water if I so desired. It’s very efficient. This cage is 8x4x7 and is ideal for small to mid size monitors.

05/06/07 11:03pm

#1272657

Sidbarvin
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Message To: Shay_ In reference to Message Id: 1272637

"How To" cages

Shay, that is an excellent post! Does the exhaust fan run on a thermostat?

05/06/07 11:18pm

#1272661

Aliencloud
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Message To: Sidbarvin In reference to Message Id: 1272657

"How To" cages

shay that is a very nice built cage here is my bp cage its not homemade but it is one of the biggest glass cages ive seen, so i bought it

05/06/07 11:23pm

#1272731

RyoFlex
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Message To: Aliencloud In reference to Message Id: 1272661

"How To" cages

Excellent post as well as an awesome enclosure! That is very professional! I have a few questions if you don’t mind though? FRP is basically like a type of shower/tile board correct? I believe that is what it is and have seen the type with a sort of grip like look to it, is this the same type you used or another? I was also wondering about the lights, could I use a dome fixture on the inside of the enclosure basically the same way that you did with you lights? I would have to remove the clamp on them but could still run the wire through the top, just not sure if it would become too hot to the point it would cause a fire or if it would be better to just do it the way you have done it here, opinions?

I also noticed you did not do this and I was wondering if it should be done or if it matters with the Halogen 45 watt bulbs but should I make a box covering the bulbs so my monitor doesn’t get burned if it somehow was able to come into direct contact with them? I would use hardware cloth with the added rubber protective layer for this but not sure if it would become just as hot or hot enough to do any damage?

Thanks in advance and again very great post and enclosure!

~Ryo~

05/07/07 12:38am

#1272754

Sidbarvin
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Message To: RyoFlex In reference to Message Id: 1272731

"How To" cages

Ryo, the hardware cloth will get hot enough to burn your lizard as well. As long as the lights are not positioned so the monitor can lay on or against them they are fine. Mine frequently touch the bulbs but they can’t get hold of them or remain in contact with them. The way they get burned is mostly from the light being focused in too small an area. You see how Shay’s lights are lined up in a row. That row of lights is likely the length of the lizards he keeps in there. Some keepers hang their lights in a row so if the monitors get to them they swing out of the way. They say the 45 watt halogens won’t break if they smack together but I keep the dome on with the wire through the top the way you described. Mine often hit them as they are under a shelf they climb on but nothing has ever come of it.

Roger

05/07/07 01:03am

#1272773

Shay_
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Message To: RyoFlex In reference to Message Id: 1272731

"How To" cages

Quote:
Does the exhaust fan run on a thermostat?

no, but it’s plugged into a dimmer switch. I make the call when it needs to go on and off.
Quote:
FRP is basically like a type of shower/tile board correct? I believe that is what it is and have seen the type with a sort of grip like look to it, is this the same type you used or another?

yes, I believe we’re talking about the same thing. It’s a little expensive. 30$ for an 8x4 sheet.
Quote:
could I use a dome fixture on the inside of the enclosure basically the same way that you did with you lights?

yes you can use domes if you want. I don’t use those domes because I want the bulbs to be closer together. That way the entire basking area is hot with no cool spots in between. Those 45 watt bulbs give me a 165 degree basking spot (surface temp). I don’t recommend covering the lights with any kind of mesh or hardware cloth as Sidbarvin suggested.

It’s good to have your basking lights over one of your monitors burrows. It’s common monitor behavior to bask half in and half out of their burrows. I tried to create this by offering a fixed burrow that happens to be very popular with the residents under the basking lights.

cheers

05/07/07 01:28am

#1272803

Willie1
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Message To: Shay_ In reference to Message Id: 1272773

"How To" cages

Thanx for the refresher Shay. I will be building one with identical dimensions for my larger jobiensis pair. I should have the room ready by the may long weekend, and hopefully construct right after that.

Warren

05/07/07 02:01am

#1272953

RyoFlex
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Message To: Willie1 In reference to Message Id: 1272803

"How To" cages

Thanks Shay and others that was very helpful. I think I will leave the domes and hardware cloth out then and just use them like shown. Yeah that is the board I’m thinking of, I remember the price. Not too great but not too bad. I would more than likely only need 3 of them if not maybe 4 at the most. What type of wood did you use? It looks like particle board and a lot of 2 x 4 boards (what type of wood is the 2 x 4 boards?)

~Ryo~

05/07/07 09:35am

#1273396

Skink guy1212
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Message To: RyoFlex In reference to Message Id: 1272953

"How To" cages

i have 1 question, how do you put the glass with the cage with out breaking it?

05/07/07 05:12pm

#1273434

Krusty
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Message To: Skink guy1212 In reference to Message Id: 1273396

"How To" cages

You buy a used window and mount it in a wooden frame. Attach this to your box cage and you have viewing and a door. I used vinyl flooring for my ’liner’ as it is way less expensive and same risks w/ FRP exist - if the edges leak, your wood will eventually get water damage. I seal the wood heavily w/ spar urethane and let it cure for a couple weeks b/f adding the vinyl. I also agree that the wire cages over bulbs get nasty hot and the monitors can hold on to them for a long time. If they touch the bulbs, it is only for a second as they just glance off of them.

Aliencloud: you are defeating the purpose of the post w/ your big fishtank picture. Fishtanks are not ideal for adult monitors for several reasons. Screen tops let heat and humidity out, not much of a substrate holding depth as most fishtanks are less than 3 feet tall, no climbing ability on slick glass walls for extra surface area exercise. Big ugly wooden boxes or metal troughs with toppers built over them are much more beneficial to the animals. This is Shay’s point of the post to get out of the fishtank mentality that leads to many health issues.

05/07/07 05:43pm

#1273647

BIG @
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Message To: Krusty In reference to Message Id: 1273434

"How To" cages

Hey Shay,
where did you get the fan and how much did you pay for it if you don’t mined me asking...

05/07/07 08:33pm

#1273686

Shay_
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Message To: RyoFlex In reference to Message Id: 1272953

"How To" cages

Quote:
This is Shay’s point of the post to get out of the fishtank mentality that leads to many health issues.

exactly.

Quote:
What type of wood did you use? It looks like particle board and a lot of 2 x 4 boards (what type of wood is the 2 x 4 boards?)

I used both ply wood and press board (different than particle board). I used 2x4s for the base for strength. The majority of the top is framed with 2x2s. I believe they’re douglas fur.

Big, I bought those fans from Frys electronics for about $15. You want to make sure it’s an AC fan and not a DC fan.

05/07/07 08:57pm

#1273962

RyoFlex
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Message To: Shay_ In reference to Message Id: 1273686

"How To" cages

Thanks a lot Shay, I really appreciate all of the help on this forum, every body’s help! I think the only question I have left would be about the glass. Is a normal window okay to use or should I go to a glass specialist and have something stronger placed into it? Like shatter proof or thick windshield type glass? I’ve only done this once and that was for an Asian Water Dragon enclosure. I was thinking of choosing one only because I don’t want a powerhouse going through it and ending up getting hurt in some way shape and or form. What our your experiences with this and what would you recommend works the best?

Well heck I have one more for this section. Monitors are very smart...smarter than I had given them credit for and I realize this the more I read from experienced keepers. Would it be wise to have a door on top of the enclosure, a smaller sized one to offer the food from? I know some have said their monitor has come running straight to the door when food is offered and I wouldn’t want to have mine come running out and jump at me. I mean I use tongs for my snakes and would offer rodents the same way, right now I use tongs to just sit the food around on certain areas to induce hunting which has worked quite well. Just not sure if this would be needed or not. It’s hard enough having my Burms and or Retics come flying out of the enclosure to grab their rabbits when they can’t stand it any longer, lol!

~Ryo~

05/08/07 12:08am

#1274035

Willie1
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Message To: RyoFlex In reference to Message Id: 1273962

"How To" cages

I have used regular glass for all of my enclosures so far, but the largest animal I have is a 4’ jobiensis. She stays away from the glass up to this time. I set my feeders on several logs and some on the substrate. Seems to work for the ones I have so far. I also use curtains to cover the glass for shy animals or newly acquired animals. It helps them settle in when not bothered by the dog pacing in front of an enclosure.

Warren

05/08/07 01:28am

#1275286

Shay_
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Message To: Willie1 In reference to Message Id: 1274035

"How To" cages

No one else cares to post pics of quality cages?

05/09/07 12:08am

#1275329

BIG-HYDRO
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Message To: Shay_ In reference to Message Id: 1275286

"How To" cages

VERY NICE SHAY. BUILDING A NEW CAGE SOON AND WILL BE GOING FROM THIS BASIC DESIGN. WILL POST PICS. THANKS FOR THE POST.

05/09/07 01:07am

#1275528

GUS420
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Message To: Shay_ In reference to Message Id: 1272637

"How To" cages

Do you have the total list of all the lumber that you needed to build this fabulous enclosure. I would really like to know b/c I am really interested in building this for my Argus. Thank you and have a great day.

05/09/07 10:05am

#1278860

Snake Snatcher
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Message To: Krusty In reference to Message Id: 1273434

"How To" cages

do u think i can house a adult male argus monitor in a 8x3x4 lxwxh
thanks

05/12/07 09:23am

#1278876

Krusty
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Message To: Snake Snatcher In reference to Message Id: 1278860

"How To" cages

snake snatcher: yes

You don’t need blueprints to build a box with a door and window on it. Frame the window in 2 x 4"s, build a 4’ x 8’ frame for the top and bottom. Then add vertical beams. Slam plywood on the sides and , Viola! Just estimate the amount of wood on paper and go get it. Plywood and 2 x 4" come precut in 8 foot pieces. Shay’s design is much easier for attaching FRP by having the plywood on the inside. My big black cage above has plywood on the outside and the lower 3 feet has it framed on the inside, as well.

05/12/07 09:48am

#1278938

John Anthony Adragna
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Message To: Krusty In reference to Message Id: 1278876

"How To" cages

here’s my cage(s) i use for salvators. i add logs of various angles if they feel like climbing. and the latticed pvc on the walls helps get use of the entire cage. the bottom photo was the work in progress, connecting an older smaller enclosure to the newer one. outside its hideous, but inside its wonderfully waterproof, deep leaf and soil substrate, high basking temps, and set up so the entire cage is used. this cage has the option to be turned into 2 separate cages or connect to make 1 as seen below. put a little effort into your lizards and they will repay you with activity and behavior. currently about to scrap this twin cage deal for a reptile room which will take up 25 feet length of basement, and 6 feet of depth, much more space for the big guys to mess around in.

cheers,

John

05/12/07 10:59am

#1279144

Rick_Albig
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Message To: John Anthony Adragna In reference to Message Id: 1278938

"How To" cages

Here are some pics of my Albig enclosure. It has changed quite a bit now (some large logs, different basking spots, nest box, deeper substrate etc...)

It is 3590.65 Gallons, haha, or 8x12x5. The substrate is around 24" deep in these pics (soil and sand mix with some leaf litter.

Rick

05/12/07 03:06pm

#1279402

Biawak
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Message To: Rick_Albig In reference to Message Id: 1279144

"How To" cages

Here is one of my ugly cages:

hot end

cool end

Hey John A., want to add another sulfur to your crew?

05/12/07 07:31pm

#1306599

BushBabi
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Message To: Biawak In reference to Message Id: 1279402

"How To" cages

If you dont mind me asking, how much did it cost to build this ? I need to start saving up to buy all the supplies so my monitor can live the dream life too! lol

06/05/07 07:15am