Cage building - alternatives?

[Grace Jr]

I've got a final layout put together of the cage I'm going to be building, and am actually quite impressed with the cost.  For everything I'd need to build it (wire, c rings and ringer, door liners, dura tray, door latches etc), plus 2 spare 16oz water bottles, it only comes to $130.04!  Of course, this is before shipping.   

The items I'm ordering are from Klubertanz, and without knowing exactly how all the items would be packed, I was told it could be anywhere from $35-$60 or so for the shipping costs.  Needless to say, I'm trying to figure out a way to cut costs.  One of the BIGGEST causes is the Dura Tray.  It's 36"x24", therefore considered oversized, and requiring an extra charge.     What would be a good alternative for a cage pan?  I'm considering a cement mixing tray, but I'm not sure the one I saw is the right size, and they seem pretty tall as well.  Suggestions?  I could use coroplast, but I want something that looks nicer, and is sturdier.

Aside from that, where would I go to find the door hinges, c-rings, etc?  I looked on Home Depot and Lowe's websites, but didn't find any of the items I needed (aside from the mixing trays).  What, aside from notebook binders, would make a good door liner?  If I'm lucky, they may be able to put these small items in the same package as the wire, and save on shipping charges, but if not, I'm trying to think ahead on alternatives.

My biggest question though, is the cage pan!  I don't think there are any underbed storage bins that would be large enough, and I really don't want to use coroplast unless I *have* to.  If need be, I can suck it up and order the pan, I'm just trying to save on all that extra shipping cost!


For those curious, here is the cage I'll be building.  It is 36"x24"x48", large enough for 9 I believe.  Right now, it would have 7 in it, eventually less as the kiddos get old and pass.  The ramp setup is the same as in the Martin's R-685, so it's fine for old rats or young ones.  The ramp off the top shelf also has the same incline as the other ramps, so it's not steep.  (Ramps are all 5"x15", mini-ledges between the ramps are 10"x5")

[menagerie]

Doesn't Klubertanz sell c-rings, pliers, latches and door liners? I'd swear I saw that stuff in thier catalog.

[Grace Jr]

They do, menagerie.  I was just looking for a way to reduce shipping costs. 

I'm going to get a concrete mixing tub, and use that as the base.  They're cheaper, plus there's no shipping.  That drops my price down to $107 for everything else, and they said it'd be about $30 shipping, which isn't too bad.  I just need to figure a way, since the tray is 8" high, to drop the height of the front "wall" down to 3".  Hopefully it's something I'll be able to cut, then heat to soften the cut edge.

[jixie]

Mixing tub vs Storage bin - IMO the cement mixing tub is much better. Storage bins always have some sort of ridge on the bottom... wet bedding gets stuck in the edges and is a huge pain in the butt to clean (it can be better or worse depending on what bedding... but still a pain), and if your guys are chewers... well.

[smileighangel]

Maybe a silly queston but, what is thematter with colorplast? A friend of mine is going to buy some for me ( For cage building )and if it's no good then I will tell him not too.  Thanks!!!!
Leigh

[Grace Jr]

Smile - Coroplast is fine, I just don't want to use it.  I've used it in the past for a guinea pig cage, and it worked well enough.  I just want something I don't have to worry about them chewing, plus something that I know will last a long, long time.  Not to mention I think the mixing tray would look a bit more pleasant than the coroplast would.  That's just my opinion though.


Jixie - I don't plan on using a storage bin.  Try finding one that's 36"x24"!  I've used them in the past for other cages, and they work alright, but if I have a better alternative, I'm using the alternative.  I just need to decide how to *safely* cut the front panel of the mixing tray so I don't ruin it, and so it doesn't have sharp nasty edges.

[menagerie]

I love coroplast and use it in all my homemade cages. As you can see from the picture, each floor has a pull out tray that is inside the cage. Yes it gets chewed, as does most plastic that is put in the cage. But coroplast is so cheap I just replace it when it gets chewed too bad.

[love2teach]

Please excuse my ignorance, but what is a coroplast and where do you buy them
From the picture, I gather they are the dark trays on the levels that cover the wire mesh.

Thanks     

love2teach

[menagerie]

Please excuse my ignorance, but what is a coroplast and where do you buy them
From the picture, I gather they are the dark trays on the levels that cover the wire mesh.

Coroplast is corrugated plastic it comes in 4' x 8' sheets and comes in many different colors. Is easy to cut and bend. You can get it at sign shops.

The trays in that picture were not coroplast but have since been replace with it.

[love2teach]

Oh   Who knew it had a technial name   I always called it plastic cardboard.  Day wasn't wasted, I learned something new.

love2teach

[Ratwings]

Just wondering... HOW are you going to move that cage?  I had a hard time carrying my R-695 around, my back aches just thinking about anything bigger.   I think you're brave!

It looks like it's gonna be a great cage though.  The ultimate in Luxury Housing for rats.

[Grace Jr]

heh  I've already been trying to figure a way around that Ratwings!  I don't want anything smaller than that, so I've got to figure something out.  *shrug*  I did have a 48"x12"x48" cage WAY back when (when I had my first rats!), and managed to haul that thing around easily enough.  At one point I had a 30"x36"x48" cage, which was HUGE - 30" deep was just WAY too much!  I may build a "trolley" for it, so I can slide it around if need be, it's just a matter of when it comes time to cage cleaning.