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el_nico · #1 (**permalink**) 03-09-2005, 01:32 AM

i was wondering if any of you could give me any advice or suggestions about building a cage. In a few week im going to be getting a redtailboa and i want to have a cage that i can keep it in its whole life. This is going to be my first snake and I was wondering about what type of wood you would suggest plus what type of glass i should use plexiglass etc... I have a pretty low budget ( about 100-150 dollars ) and i was wondering what you think i should do.
also id rather build a cage than buy one because i want this to have all the things i want without over paying from buying from a website

thanks for any suggestions/advice

el_nico · #2 (**permalink**) 03-09-2005, 03:46 AM

cmon people id really like some advice and i know some of you have some

PythonGuy24 · #3 (**permalink**) 03-09-2005, 03:49 AM

Is it adult now?

reptilemama · #4 (**permalink**) 03-09-2005, 03:51 AM

Do a search for "tileboard"- some members here have built really nice cages out of it. I just bought some and I'm in the process of building new cages. The tileboard itself is only about $8 for a 4'X8' sheet.

PythonGuy24 · #5 (**permalink**) 03-09-2005, 03:58 AM

The dimesions for an adult should be around 6ft x 2ft x 18in. The way I did it I just made those exact dimensions out of sheet wood. Then in the front I made a notch out of 2 boards and put the plexiglass in between them, like a sandwhich.then I painted the 3 walls with white and it is mouisture-proff. Put cut a hole in the top (also sheet board) leave 1 1/2 inches on the sides. Put hinges and latches and poof you have a cage. I will try to get pics.

el_nico · #6 (**permalink**) 03-09-2005, 04:02 AM

pics would be greatly appreciated
its only about 7 months old but im just planning for the future so i know exactly what im doing when the time to build the cage comes.
Also i have nothing to do so building a cage would be something to occupy my time

muzixman · #7 (**permalink**) 03-09-2005, 05:45 PM

This is how I'm building mine, It might give you some ideas

el_nico · #8 (**permalink**) 03-09-2005, 07:07 PM

i have another question
if i built a cage that was 4 feet long by 2 feet wide and like 3 feet tall how long would i be able to keep a rtb in that ? also does it cost less to build a cage rather than buy one ?
thanks

Rmk1999 · #9 (**permalink**) 03-09-2005, 07:33 PM

A lot cheaper to build, but a bigger hassle. so you'll just have to decide which is worth it to you. I'm going to buy an enclosure soon because We're looking into buying a house and i don't want to move some huge 8 or 9' enclosure i've made for our burm. But i'll build one later. And I've planned everything, have it drawn out and priced what i need at home depot and i think it was in the neighborhood of $180. I'm going to use 3/4" plywood sealed to keep moisture in and then a tileboard liner for easy clean up. and it'll give me the room i need to put an UTH between the tileboard and the plywood instead of trying to heat through both layers.

I've seen tileboard enclosures and they're nice...but thats just not what i'm going for, and with tileboard you have to buy everything in double.

Rmk1999 · #10 (**permalink**) 03-09-2005, 07:38 PM

and depending on the size of your snake i'd wait to build because you probably shouldn't put an 18-22'' baby in a 6' cage unless you pack it full of hides, but i have no idea how big your snake is. if you're planning on building a 6' cage later on down the line i'd just build that first. save yourself the trouble, time and money.

PythonGuy24 · #11 (**permalink**) 03-09-2005, 08:29 PM

Another thing with putting a baby in a huge enclosure is it may take him a while to find the hottest heat source so he may get cold looking for it. Hides too. Just buy a cheap 20 long and keep him in there for awhile then build one so it's ready.

muzixman · #12 (**permalink**) 03-09-2005, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by el_nico

i have another question
if i built a cage that was 4 feet long by 2 feet wide and like 3 feet tall how long would i be able to keep a rtb in that ? also does it cost less to build a cage rather than buy one ?
thanks

It cost less than $50 . 3ft is a little tall I build mine 4ft X 2ft X 18" tall, head room isn't as important as floor room. IMO

el_nico · #13 (**permalink**) 03-10-2005, 12:16 AM

50 bux ? i went out " shopping " to estimate the total cost and I came up with more expensive. Also if i was to jsut buy an aquarium, what size or gal should i get ?

even so i would really like to build one and i dont know what type of wood to get plus how to keep it together ( nails, cauking, screws, etc... )

thanks

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