I ordered a 260 gallon replacement cover and built the frame from PVC pipes. It cost almost nothing compared to other cages of this size. I bought the cover from www.herpsupplies.com and the PVC pipes and fittings at Lowes. I did all of the cutting, measuring, and piecing together by myself. I'm amazed that I got it right the very first time. I expected to have to trim a little after the rep cover got here, but I didn't.
I haven't added any decorations or gliders, yet. I'll get more pictures once I finish. What do ya think?...
Thanks! And thanks for the link that you provided to herpsupplies.com a couple of weeks ago, too. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
Thanks Peggy! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> I hope my guys don't start to chew. They haven't as of yet. I swapped everything out a couple of hours ago and they haven't stopped playing. They're gonna be so tired during their play time. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/sleep.gif" alt="" /> It's so much fun watching them play in there. They seem to be getting around on that mesh just fine. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
Here are some pictures I took after I decorated it and added their nest box....
Wow!!! You did an awesome job with that!!! The PVC is much stronger than the plastic stuff that they use for the Reptariums...and you can add pieces on the top and sides to hang things! Very creative you are! Man...you probably paid a quarter of the price...sorry for all of the exclamation marks...but WOW!!! You really did an awesome job! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/muchlove.gif" alt="" />
Re: My homemade reptarium....
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#20583 05/11/0411:52 AM05/11/0411:52 AM
Thank you, Katie! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/multi.gif" alt="" /> I'm glad you like it. Yeah, the PVC is pretty strong and you can easily replace it if need be. I was able to drill holes in it to hang their water bowl and the small shelf. Plus, I made a criss cross on the roof to hang their nest box. I have a large white shelf that I was planning to put in there, but I think I'll wait till later to add that.
I had so much fun watching them play in it last night. They didn't even try to run up my arm when I put them up after play time. 2 of them are still playing right now! That usually doesn't happen at almost 12pm. Maybe it's because it's darker inside it? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/nixweiss.gif" alt="" /> I wonder how long it'll take for the new to wear off for them. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
That turned out really great. I wanna make one. Would you mind telling me what size PVC you used. I love the bars going across the top. Is it very heavy? Can it still be used as a travel cage?
Anita Rae StealthWheels, MagnumWheels and more at Atticworx
It can still be used as a travel cage, but it'd be harder to re-assemble than a regular rep frame because the pipe is bulkier and I added a lot of different things to mine. What I'm planning to do when I travel is leave the top and bottom assembled and just take the other pieces apart. I never go anywhere in a plane...just my boat of a car. It may not be practical for traveling by plane.
I used 3/4 inch pvc pipes and fittings. I had someone ask me to give them a list of supplies, so I might as well copy and paste what I sent to them for those who are interested in doing this, too. You'll have to check out the attached picture to understand some of it. I forget the names of these fittings, so I used a picture and labeled it.
1) 8, 5' pvc pipes (3/4")(you may not want to buy this much since you'll have to buy 4 of the 10' pipes and have plenty of that left over. This is just what I bought)
2) 4, 10' pvc pipes (3/4")(The vertical part of the frame)
3) 12 "number ones"
4) 1 "number two" (This is for the top of the rep frame)
5) 8 "number threes" (These are for the top and bottom corners. You'll need adapters (#4) to attach them to pipes)
6) 8 "number fours" ( These are the adapters mentioned above.)
7) pvc pipe cutter (We already had these. We bought them a while ago, but I think they were only around $10.)
Looking back on it I think I could have done it a lot different and cheaper, but when I was standing in Lowes it was hard to picture and measure in my head. I didn't know what they'd have until I got there, so I couldn't really make a list to shop with.
[:"blue"] Awesome job <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/yelclap.gif" alt="" /> The great thing about building your own frame is you can make as many crossbars as you want for hanging things. That is the only drawback to the frames that are made specifically for the repts. Of course, they were intended for lizards.
What did you use to cover it with. That material... And how do you get into it? Is it their regular cage or do they go in for playtime???? It looks really cool!
Re: My homemade reptarium....
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#20588 05/13/0408:19 AM05/13/0408:19 AM
i believe she used a reptarium cover.. which you can find at www.herpsupplies.com.. its a messhy screen.. pretty neat in my opinion. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> great job !!!
Re: My homemade reptarium....
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#20589 05/13/0412:41 PM05/13/0412:41 PM
Thanks you guys! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Yep, GliderDude is right. It's a reptarium cover and I got it from herpsupplies.com. It's their permanent home and they're loving it. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/multi.gif" alt="" />
Looks like I might end up doing this sometime soon...Cuz some of my rept bars have cracked where they attach to the joints. Too bad paid for the whole thing when I could have just bought the screen in the first place and made my own frame!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />
Re: My homemade reptarium....
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#20591 05/13/0402:16 PM05/13/0402:16 PM
Awesome job, Rischa! Looks great and so practical. I love my reptariums and when the time comes I need frame replacement I will make my own too!
Flatfork:
</font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr /> And how do you get into it?
<hr /></blockquote><font class="post">
One entire side is a zippered doorway. You can just unzip partway, or unzip all the way and step inside (of the 260 gallon Rept). I love being able to get inside with the suggies. And the fact that you can just throw it in the washing machine on cage cleaning day!
Re: My homemade reptarium....
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#20592 05/13/0403:09 PM05/13/0403:09 PM
Thanks Jayel...I forgot to answer that question. I meant to, but forgot as I was typing. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> Sorry.
Flatfork: If you look at the first picture I posted you can see what it looks like unzipped. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumb.gif" alt="" />
Thanks for the compliments guys. If you all need any tips when you start on yours, I'll be glad to help if I can. I'm not an expert builder or anything, but I may can offer some help.
wow what a great job you did on your reptarium!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumb.gif" alt="" /> I'm sure the suggies are lovin it!!! I love that bridge, did you make that yourself?? I was thinking of doing something like that for my reptarium, I was thinking about getting some rectangular building blocks and stringing them up!!
Re: My homemade reptarium....
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#20594 05/17/0411:01 PM05/17/0411:01 PM
My husband agreed to help me build one of these!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/multi.gif" alt="" />
I have one question though... what size did you cut your pvc pipe to fit? I have read that the 260 gallon is 30 inches and also that it is 29 inches. Which one did you cut your frame to fit? I have ordered my replacement cover... but it won't get here for awhile as it was backordered. I was hoping to get started on the frame though. Thanks!
Re: My homemade reptarium....
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#20595 05/18/0402:29 AM05/18/0402:29 AM
[:"blue"] Their web site..... www.reptarium.com .....says the 260 gallon unit is 30"x30"x71". It looks to me like you could put a frame together in about an hours time if you already have the materials on hand so there isn't much advantage to building it in advance. You might be wise to wait until the cover actually arrives so you are sure everything fits OK??? [/]
Re: My homemade reptarium....
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#20596 05/18/0402:30 PM05/18/0402:30 PM
Randy's right, as usual. It doesn't take very long at all if you have everything you need. I built this frame very quickly. I'd say it took a couple of hours. The top took the most time, but that was an extra that I wanted to add. You wouldn't have to build the cross at the top like I did. It's a very handy addition to have, though. There was a lot of trimming that I had to do after adding the joints to the pipes. I built the frame before I got the cover. It's 29 x 29 x 70. Maybe 1/4" over each measurement, actually. (I just measured it)It may be a smart thing to just make the frame a little larger than that and trim if necessary once the cover gets there.
The bridge inside the rept. was purchased at a <a href="www.birdbrainexpress.com" target="_blank">bird fair</a> in Orlando. You can get tons of glider toys at bird shows or fairs. The next one will be on May 30th.
I'm using underpads like what's used for incontinence under the rept. Any liquids go through to the underpad and solids can be swept up with a whisk broom or dust buster. I use a dust buster every morning when I take the food boxes out.
This is slightly <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/offtopic.gif" alt="" /> but where on earth did you get the little colorful "ladder" looking thing stretched horizontally across the rep? I want one!
Edited: I see that you posted where you got it, after I posted. But, what saves me is the fact that the link isn't working. Any ideas?
Last edited by FLKeysGlider; 06/07/0412:17 AM.
Re: My homemade reptarium....
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#20600 06/07/0412:28 AM06/07/0412:28 AM
It may be because that particular bird fair has passed. It was tons of fun, BTW. The address to where you can read about the next bird fair is www.birdbrainexpress.com and it will be held on Aug. 15. I'll be at that one, too. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
Just for fun, I'll post a new pic. It's the second homemade reptarium that I made for Philip, Lillian, and Oscar. Check it out! Instead of a rainbow ladder I made them a shelf out of pvc coated wire and covered the edges with fleece so it wouldn't snag.
Has anyone else made a rept like this yet? If so, feel free to post the pics here. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />
It's awesome! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dance.gif" alt="" />And its totally sold me on building my own cage for the gliders I hope will adopt me....do you mind if I ask what the price was for the replacement cover? I may invest in two of them.....one to put up when I take the other one out to wash. Thanks! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumb.gif" alt="" /> (Putting these little graemlins in is almost as much fun as talking about gliders!)