Building a multiple cage system

[Kobi9019]

I think that there might be a thread about a DIY cage system but this is a little different. Right now I have a couple of leopard geckos, a beardie, and a JCP. I measured out one area in my room which is 5'L X 30 or 36" Wide X up to 7' Tall. I thought about It and would like to have either one large cage or two medium sized cages on the bottom, then a full length cage in the middle, and then 2 or 3 smaller cages on top that. I'm thinking that the JCP and Beardie will go on the bottom with 2' tall cages, then 1.2 ackies in the middle with the full size cage 2.5' tall, then the leopards in a 2' cage and something else on top. Now my real questions are how could I build this cage system out of wood with sliding front glass, acryllic, or lamiate panel? How would I heat each cage? Would say the ackies cage being well over 100 F affect the temperatures of each of the other cages? Then how much would I be looking at spending? I wouldn't say that I'm a complete idiot when it comes to building things I am a little capable, and I have an uncle who has been in constuction since he was a teenager so I should be allright in terms of that issue. I appreciate any input you have to help me out, and I'm about to search for DIY threads. I may be changing this around a little and building another 2 tier cage system close to it, but this one is pretty definite, just with maybe a couple of herps switched around in preparation for daytona
Thanks for your input

-matt

 

[varanio]

Matt the ackies would need the longest of the cages i would put them at the very bottom since they have the most need for a deeper substrate to burrow dig and nest. The JCP could got tall and the beardies and the leos could go in a 2x3 foot are for leos and a 4x2 area for the beardie. Heat rises so think about that ... use the highest wattage for the ackies and then lower for the other cages as the ackie cage will warm up the cages on top.

 

[Kobi9019]

well the reason I want the ackies in the middle or top of the cage system is that they're really active and fun to watch, and I'd enjoy having a great view of them without having to bend down. Thanks for your help but do you have any tips in constructing this cage system? I would like to have the 3 sides be plastic or wood and the front be slidng with a lock. I dont know If I want acryllic or glass for the front. Do I need to buy special wood so that it doesnt warp? thanks

-matt

 

[TheBloodyIrish]

Have you done a diagram of all the dimension in your room? You might switch things around, like I do all the time.

If you want, you can raise your Ackie enclosure to a level you want, and use the space below as storage. Then you can stack the Bearded Dragon ontop or below of the Ackies since the basking temperature is roughly the same.

 

[Slim2634]

just make individual cages each out of melamine and stack them. you basically make a box with a litter dam seal it put in the glass track and your done. i would use radiant heat panels for the cages. go to www.redtailboa.net or www.constrictors.com
there are some extremely good DIY's on there that have built very nice reptile cages and could help you out.

 

[varanio]

You would need a stand for the ackie cage if you wanted to make it eye level. And you gotta fortify it for the amount of dirt they need. I would just do as suggested. Make three or whatever number of cages it is you need and just stack them in case you need to move them around. I would steer away from using melmine for the beardies and ackies as that crap will rot if it water gets into the middle. Make a frame out of wood and then seal it with FRP. Much like this. This is built for tree monitors so obviously it would differ in dimensions.

 

[davo]

Thats a sweet cage Alex, the netting for climbing?

 

[varanio]

Yes its aquaculture net....id rather use it for climbing rather than cork tiles. The monitors go through the cork tiles like there is no tomm and it gets rather expensive replacing it every 6 months. This heavy duty netting is very fine and wont hurt the animals, but it sure as hell lasts a long time.

 

[davo]

So it's not something they get stuck in then. I'll have to remember the name of the stuff...

 

[varanio]

Not at all ... they use it up and down all day long without any hinderances.