Tegu cage building thread

[thesnakeguy]

I hate to mention this now, but particle-board and MDF (medium-density fibre-board)are some of the absolute worst materials for reptile cages - they absorb water and dampness like a sponge, rot, and quickly become bacteria breeding-grounds.

I now use plywood for all of my home-built cage units and seal it with at least five coats of water-based clear-coat.

Cheers!

Simon

 

[thesnakeguy]

Here is one of my home-made units...

For heating, I finally installed a Radiant Heat Panel controlled by a Herpstat digital thermostat, which isn't shown in this pic as I was experimenting with under-cage heating using Flex-watt heat-tape which I cancelled and replaced with the heat-panel...

Cheers!

Simon

 

[rrcoolj]

I hate to mention this now, but particle-board and MDF (medium-density fibre-board)are some of the absolute worst materials for reptile cages - they absorb water and dampness like a sponge, rot, and quickly become bacteria breeding-grounds.

I now use plywood for all of my home-built cage units and seal it with at least five coats of water-based clear-coat.

Cheers!

Simon

@turtlesrock-thank you so much for the compliment, it means alot .

Yes I am aware of that. It was mentioned to me several times about how bad it is. I am not sure why you brought it up. My cage is made from plywood but it's still good info. I am guessing you have a snake. Generally you wan't to use an above heat source for lizards especially diurnal ones. Heat panels usually don't cut it.


....By the way beautiful cage!

 

[thesnakeguy]

My apologies - it looked as though the cage was made of some sort of composite...

I find it interesting that you mention that heat panels don't cut it for lizards - why is that?

Cheers!

Simon

 

[rrcoolj]

My apologies - it looked as though the cage was made of some sort of composite...

I find it interesting that you mention that heat panels don't cut it for lizards - why is that?

Cheers!

Simon

Believe me I thought it was particle board at first too but it's not after searching the web. Melamine is another no no apparently too. I should rephrase that. Heat panels work great for nocturnal lizards but for something that would bask a heat source from above is better since it is where they would get thier heat from in the wild. That's just IMO though.

Ps: the glass is on and the cage is done! more pics later today!

 

[snakeguy101]

Believe me I thought it was particle board at first too but it's not after searching the web. Melamine is another no no apparently too. I should rephrase that. Heat panels work great for nocturnal lizards but for something that would bask a heat source from above is better since it is where they would get thier heat from in the wild. That's just IMO though.

Ps: the glass is on and the cage is done! more pics later today!

but heat panels are a source of heat that comes from above.... I dont get what you are saying.

 

[rrcoolj]

but heat panels are a source of heat that comes from above.... I dont get what you are saying.

I always thought you use heat panels below or on the side of the cage. Maybe I am just mistaken. I have always been biased towards incandescents anyway.

Pics of the finish product. It won't be too much longer now until it's tegu ready.

 

[turtlesrock]

looks good

 

[vildotcom]

i think snakeguy101 is referring to radiant heat panels that are installed inside the enclosure on top, not heat pads that you would stick to the outside of an enclosure underneath.

excellent setups to the both of you.

 

[Wretched5705]

Alright, I've only been on MFK maybe once every couple days. But whenever I'm on, I absolutely have to check out this build and congrats on finally finishing it! It looks awesome!