Building your own cage?

Originally Posted by darkbloodwyvern

hello,
I am looking to build something with a nice looking finish, so stained with a clear coat would be ideal.

I was hoping to be able to make the cage look semi natural with a fake rock wall or some kind of texturing they can climb on and a few permenent branches in various places.

i think i will make mine smaller around 40-45 (gallons) if i make it all myslef. If i get a large piece of furniture that is reasonable to fix up

I have several comments.

Modifying furniture can be very cool and will lend itself well to the species you plan to keep.

40-45 gallon size sounds fine, but just make sure you leave enough height to allow for the amount of decoration you want. Pick the approximate floor area first and then build it tall enough to accomodate the decoration you want.

If your cages will all be stacked together and the sides/tops will be more or less hidden it might not be worth it to build these cages from a nice looking laminated plywood. If the interior will be covered with faux rockwork and the outsides will be more or less covered there really is no reason to use an expensive cabinet grade material for the carcass of the cage.

There is a way to build cages in the 50 gallon range that are both cheap, light, and attractive. I'll see if I can post some pictures to show you what I mean.

that sounds cool, i would love to see pictures or designs, whatever you can post at your leisure. thank you

Originally Posted by darkbloodwyvern

that sounds cool, i would love to see pictures or designs, whatever you can post at your leisure. thank you

It might just be easier if you email me. Just take my fauna user-name and add it to At Yahoo Dot Com

I built these units about a couple years ago. They are 5' wide, 2' deep and 18" high. Each unit has two enclosures, however the center panel opens so one large enclosure is an option. The floor is raised and heat tape is run underneath. Both units are stained and have many coats of poly on them.

nice cages art gives me more ideas ,just what i need i think i have it down and then you had to show me this now i have to see how it turns out if i make one ...lol,it looks heavy is it?.and how thick of plywood did you use?

nice cages art gives me more ideas ,just what i need i think i have it down and then you had to show me this now i have to see how it turns out if i make one ...lol,it looks heavy is it?.and how thick of plywood did you use?

I used 1/2" ply and used 1/2" MDF for the framing. Yes, They are pigs. They work well for me though. Just hard to move by myself.