Building a cage this weekend!

[Spindown]

The size of plexi I would have needed for each piece would have been $60 +, wheras the glass was $15 per. Much more affordable, and I honestly liked the more solid qualities of the thickness of glass vs the same thickness of plexi that was available.

[Dakota]

UPDATE!

Almost finished.

[Mr_Dunev]

its looking good so far, can't wait to see the end result

[Dakota]

its looking good so far, can't wait to see the end result

Thanks, we are putting the screen on the top right now, have to go get another 8' to give the top some support. Then MAYBE, JUST MAYBE we will be finished.

[Dakota]

I have to admit, this is a HUGE cage. Probably won't be able to use it until it either warms up, or when we move to FL.

[IchliebeTiere]

looks like your cage is going well. will you be coating the wood with anything to protect it and make it easier to clean?

[Dakota]

looks like your cage is going well. will you be coating the wood with anything to protect it and make it easier to clean?

Not to mind, any product suggestions?

[Cenetri]

It's a great looking enclosure so far, and a nice size! You have a similar idea to me with splitting one enclosure into two, as I'm working on my own project of converting my armoire into a two-tier system.

As others have stated, how are you going to retain heat? It seems like you'll only be able to use this enclosure if it's warm enough that room temperature is their cool side temp... especially considering the fact that you plan on adding screen on top. I'm just curious as to what your plan is for having complete ventilation.

[Dakota]

It's a great looking enclosure so far, and a nice size! You have a similar idea to me with splitting one enclosure into two, as I'm working on my own project of converting my armoire into a two-tier system.

As others have stated, how are you going to retain heat? It seems like you'll only be able to use this enclosure if it's warm enough that room temperature is their cool side temp... especially considering the fact that you plan on adding screen on top. I'm just curious as to what your plan is for having complete ventilation.

I have a night heat lamp and day-time.
One is a basking temperature, and one is to complete the cold side temperature.. around 80.. I will just keep the night time light on 24/7, and basking 12 hours.
So, both sides are being heated.. and when they are sleeping in hide, it will reach the right temperatures for nighttime.

I hope that made sense.

[Dakota]

All in all, I'd rather them be at room temperature than get a RI from the pine.

[Spindown]

I have a night heat lamp and day-time.
One is a basking temperature, and one is to complete the cold side temperature.. around 80.. I will just keep the night time light on 24/7, and basking 12 hours.
So, both sides are being heated.. and when they are sleeping in hide, it will reach the right temperatures for nighttime.

All in all, I'd rather them be at room temperature than get a RI from the pine.

I'm confused by this. Do you or do you not have a way to make sure this cage, when finished, will provide the proper temperatures for your bluey and is properly sealed to prevent health issues?? If you do, great! If not, you shouldnt use it until you do! Period! Lack of proper heating vs getting an RI? This isnt a win/lose, this is a lose/lose situation for your pet!

[Katrina]

All in all, I'd rather them be at room temperature than get a RI from the pine.

Ummm... what?? RI from pine? Are you using pine but not sealing it properly? RI is an infection, not a breathing issue due to poor air conditions. Proper temperatures are not a solution for improper building materials and vice versa.

Are you using pine? What are you sealing it with? Have you thought this through at all? You're pretty far south, why on earth have a heat source at night?

Will your enclosure have a proper temperature gradient (including a proper nighttime temperature) and be properly sealed or not?

Listen to what Norm said. There is no substitution for proper research and planning.

[IchliebeTiere]

Here is another thread about "painting and sealing"
viewtopic.php?f=4&t=22756

I haven't built an enclosure and I don't have any experience with sealing or painting one. However I did find this and I'm sure there are more suggestions from others that have.

I see a comment from you on that so I know you've been researching this topic. Have you reviewed it again?

https://www.google.com/shopping/product ... 0QnBUoATAA

Donkeybuff: That is the product I used to seal my cage. It has very low vapors even when wet and has worked very well so far.

[Cenetri]

All in all, I'd rather them be at room temperature than get a RI from the pine.

I feel like this is an irresponsible thing to say. I may not be an adult - heck, I'm your age - so I may not have as much experience, but I know that keeping animals in improper conditions for your own simplicity and ease of building is wrong. Keeping reptiles at too cool of temperatures can drastically change their behavior, health, and quality of life, and can even cause them to die if it becomes too severe. Also, if you know that pine isn't the safest building material unless properly sealed and protected, and you aren't going to take the proper steps to do so, why use it in the first place?

If you can't afford to give your animals a proper enclosure, heat, and general care, you can't afford the animal itself. It seems like you care more about the money right now than your skinks' well beings. I would take the time - and money - to right your wrongs at this point before your skinks suffer for your mistakes.

[Dakota]

Whoa-

First of all: I do have money. I plan to buy two more heat lamps, and if more needed, I will buy more. I'm not poor.
Second of all: As far as room temperature wise; I keep my room about 76-78 for my hedgehog, sometimes it goes lower, depending on the temperature. Anybody that has a hedgie, knows they absolutely need it HOT, or they will die.
Third of all: It is still cold here, it IS starting to warm up, but still too cold.
Forth of all: The frame is built out of pine. I made the mistake of building my other cage purely out of pine, which I think is the main cause of Thiswai's passing, and I will never forgive myself for it. I do not want to go through another death, so I got the peg-boards inside the pine, so the skinks will not come in contact with the pine.
As far as using the cage, I do not plan to use the cage until I get to Florida, keeping the cage either on the porch or room; can't decide.

I hope that answered all the questions.

[Katrina]

I don't think you answered any questions... You're making it incredibly frustrating to try to help or give advice.

So - you think that a pine enclosure was the reason your last bluey died. Have you done any research into this AT ALL? Coming into contact with pine will not harm a bluey. It is the aromatic chemicals in the pine that are bad. You need to seal it properly - not keep your bluey from touching it.

Why buy two more heat lamps? Why have multiple ones? That makes no sense. Why have a night time heat source if you live in a warm area? If you're keeping your room warm for your hedgehog then having multiple heat lamps and a night time heat source?? Having money to do this properly DOES NOT equal having money to buy more heat lamps.

Why are you building something large, only to move it across the country before using it??

Your posts make it clear that you really aren't sure what you're doing. Like Norm said, you need to research carefully and have a plan, otherwise it will not turn out well.

Research the issues around pine.
Research proper building materials and sealants.
Research proper heating and temperature gradients.
Research how to build enclosures safely.

Then come up with a plan. A good one that won't change every 20 minutes (and might take longer than 1 weekend to complete). Figure out what you want the enclosure for - a permanent home? An outdoor pen? Where will you keep it?? What kind of temperature changes will it have to accommodate? What if it gets too hot in Florida? How will you make it easy to clean? How will you make it safe for a bluey?

Then, when you are settled in after your move - build the enclosure. Don't start randomly throwing things together without a plan.

[Dakota]

I put the pegboard up for ventilation so the smell of pine won't over flow the cage. Putting the peg boards in the side the cage, keeps the smells out of the cage.

As yes, that or the temperature lowered too quickly. I do research. If you seen my cage, you would see. I looked up if it was safe to build a cage out of pine, and every site said yes, as long as you have ventilation, and only which 2 holes on the side, and screen top.

I am building 2 cages in 1. Which means I'll have to buy 2 more heat lamps for extra cage added. The nighttime heat lamps are for use if it gets cold, sometimes it get still in the teens. But if/when I go Florida gets to hot, I will take the nighttime lamp out..

As for building it in general, I did not know we were moving still after we started.. well I knew, I just didn't know it was a FOR SURE thing..

I have kept my cage size, my brother and dad is helping me, and it is taking way longer than last time.

As far as the cleaning, I will do it like the rest of the cage, I have this elongated dust pan, and sweep it in the dust pan, putting it in a trashbag, and spot clean, every day.

As far as if Florida gets to hot, I might keep the cage inside.

As far as having a plan, I planned to build a cage beofre I got the skinks..

[Katrina]

Interesting. http://www.justanswer.com/pet-reptile/4 ... -seal.html
http://www.aussiepythons.com/forum/aust ... es-182157/
I haven't seen the many sites that say it is totally safe - I'd still seal it well.

How are you going to provide humidity with the peg board? How are you going to seal the peg board so that it doesn't get wet and expand? How can you scrub peg board to ensure that any poop gotten into the holes is gone and the whole enclosure is clean?

[Dakota]

Interesting. http://www.justanswer.com/pet-reptile/4 ... -seal.html
http://www.aussiepythons.com/forum/aust ... es-182157/
I haven't seen the many sites that say it is totally safe - I'd still seal it well.

How are you going to provide humidity with the peg board? How are you going to seal the peg board so that it doesn't get wet and expand? How can you scrub peg board to ensure that any poop gotten into the holes is gone and the whole enclosure is clean?

Humidity, hmmm.. I didn't think humidity was a thing to worry about? I mean, I know since they are Indonesian sp., that they will need more, which I spray occasionally.. what do you think I should do?

I read on a couple sites, that it hasn't been tested, or some sort like that.. can't give the URL.

I think about poop getting on the walls- would steel wool work? ..just for that use?

[Katrina]

Humidity isn't generally an issue, but it really depends where you live. You should be able to provide more humidity if necessary, but I'd just worry that if peg board got wet (pee, spilled water, misting) it would expand. Sometimes blueys will have shed issues and need extra humidity but with the peg board you can't really provide that without worrying about the board getting wet / expanding and possible molding. Misting occasionally does pretty much nothing for humidity - it doesn't raise it at all for more than a few mins, especially with a very well ventilated enclosure if the surrounding humidity is low.

The holes in peg board aren't sealed - it is the bits of pressed wood that is exposed... so you can't really scrub it clean and be certain that you got everything. If you got mites or something I doubt you'd ever get rid of them with all the little areas for them to hide and lay eggs.

My enclosures are PCVX plastic - I can wet it down, scrub it and know that I got every little bit. If I have a sick bluey, parasites, mites etc I know I can clean all of it thoroughly. Lots of options would work, including well sealed wood (other threads linked provide information on sealants), but I don't think you could ever get that with peg board. I don't think you'd ever be able to clean it well. I have bits of driftwood, mopani wood, cork bark etc for decoration - if they get poop on them I can soak in water and scrub but if the skink is sick I don't use those or throw them away because you can't ever really be sure it is clean.

Steel wool wouldn't make sure that every little hole in there has every last bit of poop gone.