When I first started my interest in reptiles I was only young. At that stage of my life I had little or no skills and did not understand the requirements of the wonderful creatures so I did not keep them effectively. We just kept the local lizards, so the cage temperature was not an issue.
I rekindled my desire later in life but I also had mortgages, the cost of raising a family and the daily costs of living to contend with. A reptile was expensive enough, without adding the costs of retail cages and accessories. So I built my own. It saved me a lot of money.
You do need some basic tools but the money you save by making it yourself will allow you to purchase some of those tools that help make the cage. The remainder can go into accessories so that for the cost of a basic cage with nothing else you can make a cage, get some tools and the cage accessories and still have money left over. That's a big difference.
Many people have materials about the house. If you are going to make your own cages you can save even more money by using bits and pieces or timber you may already have, screws, old glass, hinges, light battens etc. that you already have in the basement or garage.
When upgrading one of my cages recently, I was able to reuse some of the materials and the fittings for use on the new cage. This saved me having to purchase new accessories and materials.
Another benefit is the ability to maintain your own cages. Many of the plastic or moulded cages cannot be fixed once they are broken. With a cage you made yourself you can usually fix broken locks or replace doors (I haven't had to do any of these yet as they are very sturdy).
When you build your own cages you decide how strong it will be and what quality of fitting, glues and materials you will be using. The higher the quality of materials and accessories you use, the better the final cage product. You are not at the mercy of manufacturers saving money by using inferior materials and poor quality fittings.
Another benefit is the ability to customise you cages to suit your purpose. One of my earliest cages was built as a normal cage but by placing a removable divider in the middle it allowed me to re-use the cage when I shipped one of the snakes out. This divider was fitted over the middle of a heat mat, allowing for two reptiles to be housed in the cage. It also had two doors. The cage is now used for another purpose but will soon be empty. The divider can still be placed back in the cage for another small snake and then simply removed as the snake gets larger. Tis snake will finally be moved into an arboreal cage. To purchase a plastic cage with divider that will only be a transient cage before the snake goes into a final cage is an expensive exercise.
If you do need to upgrade again, you have the time to build the final cage as the snake grows.
Making your own cages allows you to build and maintain your reptile cages in a cost effective manner while keeping them comfortable and healthy. You can also expand your collection in an affordable way, making more money available for the reptiles while still getting quality cages.
Mark Chapple is the Author of "How to build enclosures for reptiles." Find out how anyone can build reptile cages. Full color pictures, detailed diagrams and easy to follow, step-by-step instructions. http://www.reptile-cage-plans.com
green cleaning service Park Ridge ..Weaning puppies is a perfectly natural process. Mamma dogs have... Read More
If you are keen on breeding Goldfish, you should know... Read More
As a parent, you want to be able to give... Read More
Dog arthritis is one of the most common diseases that... Read More
Some Dogs like Boxers unfortunately, are prone to several potential... Read More
The best thing to do is to start training your... Read More
While excitement and anticipation will be at the top of... Read More
Training your dog to "sit" is probably the first thing... Read More
According to recent statistics, an astounding 65% of all U.S.... Read More
Just say the word cancer and any of a host... Read More
Which cat food should you feed your cat to be... Read More
If you are considering opening a dog day care, then... Read More
Cats are known for their curious and adventurous nature. Curiosity... Read More
In order to add love and affection to their lives,... Read More
So, you've got yourself a pregnant cat.Was it a stray... Read More
There are a number of reasons for choosing natural pet... Read More
As a pet owner, no doubt you want to give... Read More
Large dogs and extra large dogs require more thought and... Read More
Eclampsia, or milk fever, is an acute, life-threatening condition which... Read More
You've probably had a day or two when you felt... Read More
It happens all too often. A family or cat friend... Read More
How many times have you seen this situation where a... Read More
Occasionally watching Animal Planet does have its advantage. You can... Read More
An easier and more pleasant journey with your chosen Boxer... Read More
Is your dog one of those that pulls at his... Read More
cleaning help near Bannockburn ..Lonely, bored, tired of eating that same old stick, then... Read More
There seems to be an alarming trend to have cats... Read More
Herbology, basically, is the use of herbs in the treatment... Read More
Because it is intelligent and energetic, a Westie terrier is... Read More
Do I Need A Quarantine Tank?Ah, yes, the often dismissed... Read More
Westie Grooming ? When your west highland white terrier becomes... Read More
I have had Goldens and Black Labs for many years,... Read More
Did you know that arthritis affects one in five dogs... Read More
Many different skin problems can arise in the aquarium. thankfully,... Read More
Many dog owners are bewildered when they hear their dog... Read More
Have a dog lover on your gift list? Want to... Read More
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are not cheap. On average you... Read More
If your life is so busy you literally only have... Read More
There are lots of ways a horse can go lame.... Read More
IntroductionA long time ago, before evolution turned the primate into... Read More
It happens all too often. A family or cat friend... Read More
Toy dog breeds include greyhounds, terriers, pinschers, pugs, chihuahuas, pekingese,... Read More
An essential to your dog's health is his/her regular annual... Read More
"Where's the harm? My cat seems to enjoy chocolate and... Read More
1. Accidents and medical emergencies in the home happen frequently.... Read More
You love your dog. You would do anything for your... Read More
Mistake #1:"Here, Kitty Kitty..."Unless they have been educated, new horse... Read More
Sometimes puppies are born that can't suckle properly, and it's... Read More
Have you ever held any Westie puppies? These tiny creatures... Read More
"Dogs are our link to paradise. They don't know evil... Read More
Pet |