About a month and a half ago, I became REALLY tired of shakin' the junk out of the bottom of my rept everyday... especially since I live in an apartment, and people look at me like I'm crazy as corn and peas fly off of fleece from my back balcony.

I also am pretty picky, so I wanted the food up on a shelf AND I didn't want it to move around. Not much to ask for, right? Actually, it wasn't too bad.

Here's what I came up with!
Top closed:

Top open:

Inside (a look at the "hinges"):

Up close, the links that hold the bottom on:


If you want one, you'll need:

* one 1x1' square from one of those wire shelf units (like this one: http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61rRYg8G60L._AA260_.jpg)
* one sterilite shoebox. (kinda like this one: http://www.housewaresandbeyond.com/p1325...-Container.html)
* a few zip ties (I'm sure you have some, right? LOL)
* 4 of these little mini links ( find them here )
* Either a razor blade, OR a hole saw & drill.
* Drill/Dremel tool
* something to sand down the rough edge when you cut the hole. (sand paper, or, it's small enough that you can use a high-grit nail buffer... like I did. LOL


Some assembly required. If you REALLY want a full walkthrough, I can write one up. It wasn't that hard, but it's hard to explain.


But I really am happy with this little tidbit. I can pop the bottom off every day, wash it out and stick it back on. If the top gets icky, I just clip the zipties, stick it in the dish washer, and TA-DA! I'm in love with it. I almost never have nermers (yes, that's the technical term for ewwies) in the bottom of the cage now!

Just thought I'd share!

OK..... So is this up high in the rep? How is it attached?

Also, I couldn't tell....is the top attached to the wire shelf, too?

I really like this. I have a PVC coated wire cage and we use one of those 'igloos' over the food at the bottom of the cage and it works just fine. I can't IMAGINE the mess I'd have without it. But.... I think they would prefer to eat up high. I put a 'treat' bowl up on one of their shelves once in a while and even if what I put in there isn't that much of a 'treat', they often will eat it better than if it is down on the ground in the igloo. So is it because it's usually a 'treat' or because it's up high? Don't know, but would like to try something up higher (but covered!)

I also have 100 gal rep that I use for travel. Since the family we visit think we are weird enough as it is and I like to keep the mess down at their house, something besides shaking out fleece would be a plus.

So..... More details. How about a picture of it in the cage?

How do they get in?

EEK! Sorry, I didn't even THINK of putting a pic of it in the cage up here. Duh. Yes, it's on the middle tier of my reptarium. (I build mine, so I have a center bar, but you can stick it in the corner joint and it should work just fine.)

(excuse the mess, Rodan is a messy eater and it's about time to throw it in the dishwasher.)


Yes, the top is attached in the back with 2 zip ties. I wanted it to flap open, but I also wanted the top to STAY ON! LOL I hate when things are on the floor in the morning that were NOT supposed to be reset toys.

Sorry! It's hard to see, but in the side, there is a 3" hole that I cut out.

You are SO clever! I do love it. I've got side from a wire shelving that are smaller than normal. It was called a 'mini'. I used them for hanging tent time toys and had some left over. I just ma have to give this a shot. Thanks for the great idea!!!