Just a few questions...

[argolupin]

Ok, I am thinking about making custom cages for all the critters (except fish and dog....) and am starting to gather ideas of DIY cages, and was thinking also of getting a couple more beardies in the future. So I like the cage posted on this website: http://708designs.netfirms.com/customcage/customcage.htm to do on the bottom, then i was thinking about putting one or 2 cages on top and stacking. the other option i thought about was doing cages by design which i will probably do for my boyfriend's ball python (he wants to have it prominently displayed in the living room and doesn't like any of the cage ideas i have come up with so far). Does anyone have any ideas to make stackable cages that won't be too heavy? Also, i've seen some DIY cages that have swinging doors, which to me would be a little easier when you go to clean, does anyone have opinions on that or have any idea on how to accomplish that feat? I am open to any suggestions, it will be a couple of months before i will be ready to go out and start building but i want to have ideas all ready to go. Also, can you use deck sealer/stain or would it possibly harm the beardie? Any advice would be so helpful or even links to other custom cage designs.

 

[RioReptiles]

I built these and they are fairly light compared to using mdf. I wanted something that looked nice in my house and was super light. I'm only 5'1" and 100 lbs, so I wouldn't even be able move something made from 3/4" mdf much less build it. I also have a 3 stack condo unit made from the same materials as this cage and getting ready to build another that has 4 or 8 cages with dividers for hold backs if needed.

http://www.rioreptiles.com/instructions.html

There is also a link to the 2ft x 3ft cages I made using 1/8"ply for the sides and top, they are so light I can carry one with one arm, each one was about $60 to $80 in materials.

 

[argolupin]

how do you make the stackable ones? I was thinking about doing that for my leopard(s) as i want to get a couple more and my brother is entering in the navy and is going to have tp find a home for his leopard (leppy) that he's had for around 11 years... i would like to know more about the ones with removable dividers...

 

[RioReptiles]

Stackable cages just need to be strong so they can support the weight of one another. I'm still working on the condo design with the removable dividers, but I believe I am going to make the dividers out of a plastic that slides in from the back. I am trying to draw the design as we speak so that I can have these cages built by a local cabinet shop and make kits that can be shipped flat, then assembled by the end user.

 

[argolupin]

let me know what you figure out... i am currently trying to figure out cages for all of this:

Breeder mice for feeders
feeder mice
ball python
leopard gecko( s)
Bearded dragon (s) (my boyfriend wanted one now...)
rats
Cockatiels


I'm just having trouble commiting to anything...