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 #2092684


Lazyj
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 Building A Cage

HI every one. I was looking at every ones cages. They all look great. I just got a water dragon and want to build a cage, but I have a couple of questions.
Do you water proof it first or after its put together?
What would be better for a door screen or glass, acrylic.
If you have any tips they would be very helpful. I’ve never made one before.
Would it be practical to have wheels on the bottom?
Thanks for the help.
11/06/09  03:25pm

 #2092703


87rx7chick
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   Message To: Lazyj   In reference to Message Id: 2092684


 Building A Cage

if your going to have wheels on bottom make sure you build a 2x4 frame or use 1 inch thick OSB bored.


i used OSB bored, L brackets and screws. i cut holes to run wires threw the wood and i used screen for the top. i used a staple gun to staple the soft side of velcro to the front of the wood. and i used the hard loop side of the velcro and used the sticky back and placed it on plexi glass. volla. removable front via velcro. using at least 4 inches of velcro strips insures it will last a while. and the sticky adheres well to plexi for a while. going on more then a year on my enclosure.

osb bored has one side that has a wax coating on it and the other side does not. the wax coating does a great job against moisture. osb is used on exterior walls and roofs in construction so it can handle a bit.


i also stappled out door carpet to the inside of the enclosure.

this is a cheep build. it is hard to clean and hard to hold humidity. but if you use these basic construciton ideas mixed with other’s ideas i am sure you can make something greater then my first enclosure.



i also used garage hanger screw in hangers U shape to hold clamp lamps inside the enclosure. i zip tied the clamp to the U to insure it would not fall. using normal home style bulbs i had no risk of burning.



11/06/09  04:12pm

 #2092742


Clouddancer22
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   Message To: 87rx7chick   In reference to Message Id: 2092703


 Building A Cage

Another option would be to find an old entertainment center or other suitable piece of furniture, like on Craigslist. It is pretty easy to convert it to a nice viv. You will want to seal it after construction with a water based non-toxic polyeurthane. Screen doors let out too much humidity, plexi is nice but pricey and scratches easily. Glass is the easiest. And yes, wheels are a great idea! Just make sure to get the heavy duty ones as the viv will get quite heavy.
11/06/09  06:32pm

 #2092804


Rocker18
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   Message To: Clouddancer22   In reference to Message Id: 2092742


 Building A Cage

oh definitally water based non-toxic polyeurthane. that stuff is great. thats what i used on my cage.. and im guessing you want windows in your cage so i would go with plexi glass its takes a better beating than glass and is cheaper. also water dragons like ficuses and phothoses. uhhhhh.... what else... oh yeah dont forget to get the mvb(mercury vapor bulb) light bulbs these are the best. if you think they’re to expensive at your local pet store go on amazon they’re like $20-40 off.. just me. well thats about it.



11/06/09  09:07pm

 #2092831


87rx7chick
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   Message To: Rocker18   In reference to Message Id: 2092804


 Building A Cage

lowes cuts plexi glass, home depot doesnt have a plexi cutter.

plexi + stapled on velcro = the win :)


indeed using an entertainment center, armuar (clothes cabinet) and anything else you can put a piece of plexi over the front will work well.



11/06/09  10:32pm

 #2092870


Pocochu
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   Message To: Lazyj   In reference to Message Id: 2092684


 Building A Cage

Hi Lazij,

We have a link to enclosures on our post "New Water Dragon Owners" Go there and you can get all kinds of ideas.....Here’s the link to our post: Link
Oh and if you any questions to ask please ask away

Annie..>^..^<
11/07/09  12:36am

 #2092875


Tarkah
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   Message To: Pocochu   In reference to Message Id: 2092870


 Building A Cage

here’s my build log that I did for my Water dragons

http://www.repticzone.com/forums/WaterDragons/messages/2029383.html

There’s lots of great ways you can start! depends also on your budget =)

Ashley
11/07/09  12:56am

 #2092893


Lazyj
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   Message To: Tarkah   In reference to Message Id: 2092875


 Building A Cage

Thanks to every one for answering my post. Ashley you did a amazing job on your cage. I could never hope to have mine turn out that good.



11/07/09  03:13am


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