Re: Screen or not to screen the top.......

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Posted by Harry's Dad on November 09, 2000 at 20:26:34:

In Reply to: Re: my MAYBE iguana cage posted by Kimberley on November 09, 2000 at 17:21:02:

Here's a suggestion to consider when talking about screening a large cage:

It's a fact that heat rises and with that, you will have to consider this trying to maintain a certain amount of heat in the cage. A screened top will basically take away any effort you have done on the sides to maintain heat in the cage (such as Plexiglas). If anything, I would suggest a plywood top and Plexiglas sides only halfway down from the top. I would definitely add some small holes 1/2" every 10" about 4" from the top of the sides. This will help let some exchange of air to take place in the upper areas but yet hold enough heat in the upper area to maintain warmer temps. Leaving the lower part of the cage open and using a plastic netting material.
I made a large cage a few years ago and designed it, so I could remove the plastic panels on the upper area in the summer time and reinstall them at the beginning of winter.
Another thing that's a problem......Don't build a cage that cannot be taken through a doorway. Meaning, if you are going to build it to a 4 foot width, design it so you can split it in half by removing a number of screws, so it can be moved from room to room, or from house to house.
Lexi, in the case of your design, you would have to split yours the length of your cage three times. ( 2', 2', 2') The reason being, unless you redesign the sides with supports going up the middle, you won't be able to divide it in half.
I designed and built my cage to just be able to make it through a doorway.....only thing is, I wasn't thinking about the height of it....I built it a 7'6", which won't let go under the top of the doorway. We have to tilt it on it's side..which is a pain.
Hope this helps some
HD

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: Here's a suggestion to consider when talking about screening a large cage: : It's a fact that heat rises and with that, you will have to consider this trying to maintain a certain amount of heat in the cage. A screened top will basically take away any effort you have done on the sides to maintain heat in the cage (such as Plexiglas). If anything, I would suggest a plywood top and Plexiglas sides only halfway down from the top. I would definitely add some small holes 1/2" every 10" about 4" from the top of the sides. This will help let some exchange of air to take place in the upper areas but yet hold enough heat in the upper area to maintain warmer temps. Leaving the lower part of the cage open and using a plastic netting material. : I made a large cage a few years ago and designed it, so I could remove the plastic panels on the upper area in the summer time and reinstall them at the beginning of winter. : Another thing that's a problem......Don't build a cage that cannot be taken through a doorway. Meaning, if you are going to build it to a 4 foot width, design it so you can split it in half by removing a number of screws, so it can be moved from room to room, or from house to house. : Lexi, in the case of your design, you would have to split yours the length of your cage three times. ( 2', 2', 2') The reason being, unless you redesign the sides with supports going up the middle, you won't be able to divide it in half. : I designed and built my cage to just be able to make it through a doorway.....only thing is, I wasn't thinking about the height of it....I built it a 7'6", which won't let go under the top of the doorway. We have to tilt it on it's side..which is a pain. : Hope this helps some : HD

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