DIY cage questions

[FISH4LIFE]

Would this setup work?

Ok so the frame would be built out of 2x4's and the side's back bottom and 1/3 of the front would be copvered with wood (what kind would be best but not too expensive) and have the roof screen or pegboard. The dimensions would be for the tank 4' long x 4' high x 2' deep and have a plexiglass dor on it. But it will have a 2 foot stand built right onto it so that changes the height to 6 ft and for the inside would it work to use the paint on pond liner used for DIY tanks/ponds

Thanks

 

[Chad55]

I would deffinatly paint the inside. Use like 1/4" ply for the sides. Pegboard probably won't stand up to moisture and heat though...

Chad

 

[TheBloodyIrish]

What are you housing? Some herps don't do well with vertical ventilation as in the screen roof you described, and do better with horizontal as in the inwall ones.

 

[FISH4LIFE]

probably housing some anoles and possibly a greensnakewith a 30 gallon pond with some neon and black noen tetras

 

[TheBloodyIrish]

Stick with anoles or the snake with the tetras. One or the other. Mixing herps is frown upon, especially when it come to anoles -- anoles are skittish of anything outside of their own species, even other bigger anole species.

If you are looking for extra critters -- try some springtails, olive or trumpet snails, ghost shrimps and woodlices.

Stay away from millipedes as they secrete toxin that might kill your herps, centipedes might end up preying on your herps and spiders may either be hunted or become the hunter. Stick and leaf insects generally require a special diet and some are extremely territorial.

 

[TheBloodyIrish]

Here food for thought -- add a drain to your pond -- easy water changes.