Custom Built Cage

[klonedskillz]

Here is some Pics of the Cage i just put together not finished i will be adding alot of decoration i will update the pictures as i update the tank
what i've find out about builing my own cage is yes i did alot of resarch and looked at others work and decided i will just set down draw me up a box and put it together and really i used red oak and only spent $80 bucks so far the way it sets in the picture let me no what you all think

[DeadIrishD]

not to shabby
a few days after the 22nd I am gonna go look for materials to build my cage!

[klonedskillz]

what u going to build it out of i used red oak plywood u can get a 4x8 foot sheet for $40 thats what i used for my cage and its 4 feet long 3 feet tall and 20 inch's deep

[klonedskillz]

also right now im working on a huge rock backround for the cage and some log furniture to add to the inside

[toker]

Looks good.

You did seal that with something right?

[klonedskillz]

Yupperz it is sealed with a water base non toxic polyeratain or how ever you spell it and on the bottom i have a sheet of lanoleim and it raps up the side for the first 1-2 inch and sealed that off with aqurium sealer

[chrispaine]

very cool... im working on one also... but im still looking for the right sliding glass door for it and need to get some heat tape.. I do have a question tho, how do you put the heat tape on because in my cage it is going to be between the wood supports and the tile board... and i dont want it to get too hot and burn the cage down.. i was thinking about that heat tape stuff... how do you do it?

[brownsfan222]

just put it in there and hook it up to a thermostat

[TekWarren]

tstat is a MUST for using flexwatt

[chrispaine]

ok, do you think a normal dimer switch would work.. or should i just invest in a tstat?? I have seen people use the normal househeld dimer switches that are used to dim lights in your home.... that was the plan... is that stupid? either way i would like to have a stat... anyone know of any good ones... whats the best and how are the prices? thanks.

[PythonGuy24]

A tstat is a good way to go because it has its own theremometer and you can put it on the area. A dimmer you will have to fiddle around with it for awhile. But if you have alot of time the use a dimmer. That's what i'm doing for my custom cage. Also it's a good idea to have a backup dimmer availble.

[chrispaine]

Originally Posted by PythonGuy24

A tstat is a good way to go because it has its own theremometer and you can put it on the area. A dimmer you will have to fiddle around with it for awhile. But if you have alot of time the use a dimmer. That's what i'm doing for my custom cage. Also it's a good idea to have a backup dimmer availble.

ya like you just said... a back up dimmer ... that seems like a good idea cause someone told me that its not good for the heat tape to be 'full on' for a long time. And if it gets cold enough a tstat would turn the heat tape to full power for as long as it stays that cold. That might be a problem... So i guess ill instal my dimmers and then maybe set up a tstat with them later on. The only think im worried about is, are the household dimmers a problem with heat tape?... they say on the box that they are rated for 600w so i dont think it will be a big deal. But has anyone ever had a problem with this set up? thanks.

[klonedskillz]

ya but with a tstat it will shut the heat tape off and on when need's to be so it wont be running all the time a dimmer switch u will have to play with for a while to get it set just right and then it will always be on