New Chondro Cage

[expansa1]

Originally Posted by Rastass

I just logged on for the first time in a while and I got a suggestive little message. Seems I should post something to help the other members.

Anyway.....I really don't have anything to offer so I thought I would throw up some pics of my new chondro cage. Some of you may have seen it recently at a herp show.

As my girl is starting to grow up I decided she could have her adult cage now. The cage is made out of black HMR Chipoard (or melamine - can't quite remember now). Some little extras that I wouldn't do to any other cage include:

All joints are sealed with silicone. The floor and bottom 50mm of the walls have been sealed using Gripset 51, and aquarium sealant, making it waterproof.

The branches have been striped right down below the bark and then coated with Cabots water based polyurethane. The branches are attached to the enclosure with hooks and eyes for easy removal.

I have a 150 watt heat panel on the roof painted with black engine enamel so that it isn't noticeable.

I built the cage about a month ago and let it sit for a while. I finally put her in it Sunday last week. I heavily sprayed with water and after 9 days the humidity is still sitting at 74%.

I dont know how long this cage will stay together with the high humidity but thats OK because I could certainly make some improvements next time.

Hi Rastass,
Not meaning to hijack your thread or anything but just wanted to put up a photo of our chondro cages that we built. The good thing about them is that they are made from a reasonably new product which is described as 'Plastic Wood' and will never warp, rot or go mouldy. It is completely inert so also doesn't off- gas like a lot of timbers do that use glue eg, Marine ply, chip-board etc. The plastic wood is lighter and stronger than timber of equivalent size and thickness. It is also temperature resistant. Humidity will never affect it and like you, we used silicon in all of the corners. We also covered the inside of the cage with dark green sign making vinyl that is guaranteed for UVB resistance for at least 20 years.

One of our cages even has live plants growing in it, Ours is heated with heat panels and has vents that can be opened or closed for more airflow during summer. Our perches are mad from Bamboo and are also easily removable.

The Plastic Timber comes in white or black and can be screwed or nailed. It is also not expensive.

We designed the cage and sent the plans to them and the company cut every piece ready for us to glue and screw together. The plastic wood can be cut just like timber with any saw. It is easy to cut holes out for vents as well!

Anyway, just thought I'd mention this as you said that you were worried about humidity.

BTW, Nice cage and nice green!

Cheers,

Expansa1

[CodeRed]

Where can we get this plastic wood?
How much?

[Deano]

Great pics guys...................

[Rastass]

Wow Craig and/or Gab that is brilliant and like Codered, please tell me where I get this plastic wood.

And Gillsy, stop playing!!! Or no free drinks next time

Joe - the hooks and eyes work brilliantly. I have 2 at one end and one at the other to keep it stable. The vines are held in place by little hooks as well.

Dorian - yes mate, I have a cam net over the top of my herp room. Its best use is that if a python ever gets out it goes straight up the net and you find it immediately away. And no, not in the military I fouhnd it on EBay at a disposal store at Albury. But now I have to give half of it to Codered for his son's room

[expansa1]

Originally Posted by CodeRed

Where can we get this plastic wood?
How much?

We purchased ours from 'Miles Plastic's' at Caloundra on the Sunshine Coast. It is actually PVC, the same as plumbing pressure pipe.
We can't actually remember the exact price but I know that 4 cages cost us less than $1,000 to build.

I have included some more photo's of the construction.
Cheers,
Craig

[Rastass]

Great Stuff. Are they screwed with the same screws as you use for wood? And being PVC you probably don't need to silicon unless you want to capture water in the bottom. also, being plastic they can probably laser cut it for you being accurate to the millimetre. Or did you cut it yourself? and I guess you can get teh vinyl form Andrew Melrose (snake signs) in Sydney. We also have a member here who sells plastics. His name is Andrej I think or something like that.

Wow. anyone wanna buy a newly constructed HMR Chondro cage? I wanna build a plastic one now.

[expansa1]

Originally Posted by Rastass

Great Stuff. Are they screwed with the same screws as you use for wood? And being PVC you probably don't need to silicon unless you want to capture water in the bottom. also, being plastic they can probably laser cut it for you being accurate to the millimetre. Or did you cut it yourself? and I guess you can get teh vinyl form Andrew Melrose (snake signs) in Sydney. We also have a member here who sells plastics. His name is Andrej I think or something like that.

Wow. anyone wanna buy a newly constructed HMR Chondro cage? I wanna build a plastic one now.

Hey rastass, there's nothing wrong with yours! I just wanted to help with the moisture problem!
We used 42mm Stainless steel screws with a flat head so the screws can be recessed slightly into the plastic and covered with no more gaps. We also used silicon to make the cage completely waterproof. We had ours cut with a very sharp industrial saw and it was very accurate. All we had to do was laminate and screw together!

We also designed ours so that they could be stacked on top of each other and the cords are hidden in a slight recess between the cages, making it look much neater.

Cheers,

Craig

Andrew should be able to get the Vinyl cheap for you! We got ours from a vinyl sign writing supply company on the Sunshine Coast.

[Rastass]

Well just to prove that Pugsly is a far better photographer than me here are his shots of my little girl (Just for you Lily)

[pugsly]

That was quick! lol

They will be featuring in Posters shortly too guys. Mac Herps Auction be there!

[Ozzie Python]

Nice enclosures, both of them. i like the idea of using pvc.

Great looking GTP

[Reptile City]

Wow!
Thanks Craig & Gab for the info on the plastic enclosure.
I will be useing some of your ideas when I buy some GTPs.
Alot of people are very secretive with there goings on with GTPs for a good reason.
I thank yous all for sharing.
All the best for breeding too!
Cheers,
Jason