Temp iguana caging...

[ceeej31]

So I got the terrarium built last night, except for the doors. I've got to have my dad cut a groove in some trim so I can build the doors/windows.

I went ahead and made the enclosure 48x24x24. I'm glad I did. It meant less cutting for me and more space for Ash.

I am sealing it inside and out with polyurethane. I'm doing 3 coats outside, and at least 4 coats inside. This should provide plenty of protection against water.

I'm also thinking about siliconing the corners on the inside of the enclosure, what do you guys think about that?

Lastly, what do you guys prefer, doors that open up (hinge at top, latch at bottom), or doors that open down (hinge at bottom, latch at top)? I'm trying to figure out which would provide easier/better access to the cage.

doors that open up are nice if you have a way to keep them open and if the cage is high enough off the ground because they are up an out of the way.
door that open down are great as long as they can open a full 180 degrees (or close too it) otherwise they tend to get in the way

 

[Conner]

doors that open up are nice if you have a way to keep them open and if the cage is high enough off the ground because they are up an out of the way.
door that open down are great as long as they can open a full 180 degrees (or close too it) otherwise they tend to get in the way

Looks like either option would work. The cage is sitting on top of a dress that is about 30" tall. And currently their is nothing on top of the tank, since the top of the tank is about shoulder level on me, so it would be difficult to get into an enclosure on top. Also, the front of the terrarium is about 4" beyond the front of the dresser, so there wouldn't be anything below for a door to bang on.

 

[Conner]

Here are some pics of what I have done so far. Everything is put together and sealed with polyurethane except for the doors. I still have to buy glass and put those together, which will probably happen on Saturday. Once the polyurethane on the doors dries, then I will be able to add the iguana to the enclosure.

I added a center support beam because I'm going to have 2 doors and wanted something to support the seam between them, and I also wanted the option of placing another enclosure on top of this one, and didn't want the middle to sag, making the doors unable to close.

Pics!

 

[latshki]

looking good!, Im sure the iggy will love it!

 

[Conner]

Ugh, sorry for the lack of updates on this, I've been super busy lately with house stuff.

Anyways, I finally got the doors done. It took me as long to do 2 doors as it did to built and seal the entire rest of the enclosure...

They aren't perfect, or as nice as I would like them to be, but this needed to be done pretty fast, so this is what I was able to do. They're sturdy enough for what I need, and I'll do better on the next build I do.

Anyways, each door is about 23"x18". I put two hinges on the bottom of each door, and there's a magnet holding the top in on each of them. I am going to add a clasp for each, and possibly a handle as well, depending on what kind of clasp I use.

I did pre-seal the doors, so once I get the electrical done to add the heat and uv lamps, and get the latches put on the door, it will be ready for the iguana. Anyways, here's some pics. Let me know what you think!

 

[Conner]

Do you guys think I should silicone the bottom corners in this build? It will hold an iguana for now, but once he graduates to a bigger cage, I will be keeping something else in there. Maybe some uromastyx, but possibly something else.

 

[GhostShrimpMan]

Very nice job, how much have you spent?

 

[Conner]

Very nice job, how much have you spent?

So far about $110, including all the hardware. I'll be returning about $15-20 worth of latches and handles, and then buying another $4-8 worth. And that's with having gone with the 3/4 AC Birch plywood at $40 a sheet. The glass was $11.

One last thing, should I go with a radiant heat panel vs. a heat lamp? I already have the heat lamp on the current iguana cage, but I'm thinking an RHP will take up less space, not put out any light, can be on 24/7 if I need it, and will work well for future animals as well. I'm just not sure I want to spend another $60-70 on this right now... What do you guys think?