Here's a tank I made. I think it came out pretty nice, although it could use a paint job. Luckily poplar (the wood used) takes paint pretty readily. Here are a few links.

3/4 view of herp cage.. it needs a paint job

Top view of tank, notice the combination lock

Frontal tank view


Any opinions or advice for me before I undertake my next project? I've already thought of two things.

First, I made the door on the top 1/4 inch higher than the border around it. This gave it a "reveal" that looks really nice. Annoyingly enough, it also made getting the hinges and latch to work smoothly a pain in the butt. I finally got it opening and closing smooth as ice.. but it was a headache getting it there.

Also on this one, the plywood was routed on the inside and the plexiglass was siliconed into the inset, making it impossible to push the plexi out. When I get around to the next one, I've decided I'll ditch the plywood and route tracks an inch deep in the wood I border the windows with. Then I'll "picture frame" each side of the tank (same as the top of this tank) and the glass will be impossible to remove without taking the "picture frame" apart. It should be more secure that way and more pleasing to the eye.


The tank is for a venomous reptile, so I ran a 3/4" X 1.5" poplar board in each of the four corners for added strength and so I could drill the ventilation holes through the poplar AND the plywood. That way, if some idiot sticks his finger to the ventilation hole... there's no chance he could be envenomated through it.

I actually like it, but what will your warden think of it? And isn't it suppose to be in a secure area?

:Edit:

__________________

Zane Neher.

The great and strong man is one who bears within his character many contradictions.
Crocodilian care.

Thanks, I think it turned out pretty decent for my first attempt. The only part about it I really dont care for is the plywood. With the rest of the frame and table made out of real wood, it just doesn't blend together well. Maybe paint would help. The cage itself exceeds the caging requirements for keeping a venomous reptile. I'm a carpenter by trade and would have no problem walking on the frame (before it was occupied of course). I forget the name of the plexiglass (lexican or something like that) but it's supposed to be 120 times stronger than glass. The cage itself is framed in poplar and screwed together. The inset into an old end table I found not only made it even sturdier, but I liked the look too. It's put together in such a way, that even if one or all of the legs were ripped away, the cage would still be intact and secured.

As far as secure area, the adhesive I used needed a while to cure, so I just got it finished today.. it hasn't moved to it's new home yet. Which is in the same room, just not as much out in the open (although it is backed to a wall). You'll notice it's latched and padlocked. From what I read about the venomous laws here, that's considered secure by law. I decided to go with a combination padlock, so there's no chance of someone finding the key and using it.

If you dont have the cage locked, you can put it in a secure locked room, as long as others dont have access to that area and the room itself is escape proof. There are other laws about keeping them in pits and such.. the floor and walls have to be like 8 inches of concrete.. etc. I'd have to look up all the details again.

Nice cage...I love it! How much did it cost to build though?

__________________

Zane Neher.

The great and strong man is one who bears within his character many contradictions.
Crocodilian care.

Well, I already had the table. It's been in storage since my nephew busted the glass top out of it. I'd imagine you could pick up something similar at a garage sale for $10 or so. Also, as a carpenter, I already had some plywood.

I think my total bill was $63. That bought the plexiglass, the poplar boards I used, hinges, latch, combination lock, and adhesive. I also bought 4 boxes of screws (different sizes).

It was my first time dealing with plexiglass and I actually wasted an embarrassing amount of it. It didn't break as cleanly and easily as I was told it would. I think next time I'll stop being a tightwad and spend the $3 on a plexiglass cutter instead of using my razorknife. I also still have a 36"x15" sheet left over.

Hinges could be stripped off of old furniture to save a few bucks. Cabinet hinges would work wonderfully. Speaking of that, I have a demolition job tommorrow (I've been working on the houses in Lady Lake where the tornado hit). I'll have to remember to snag the hinges off of any cabinets we're throwing away. For most snake species, I'd say lose the expense of the latch and lock. I'm thinking of just using slide-bolts on the next one.

I found myself thinking about this all day at work, and discussed it some with my coworkers. I've got some pretty nice visuals floating around in my head for future projects. Just a matter of finding the funds and time for them.

Also, increasing the size of the enclosure shouldn't have a huge effect on the price. A bit more plexi and wood.. but everything else pretty much remains the same. I've occasionally thought about getting a tree python. If I ever do, I've thought of an awesome vivarium I'd have to make. Sorry for writing a novel.. I just love making things and have a torrent of ideas flowing through me for enclosures.