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Building the shelves

These shelves are my favorite part of the cage to build -- and
they add so much style and function -- I just love 'em.

If you read my web page on the history of my cage-building endeavors,
(see Q&A), you know that I used to build my corner cages completely out of real bamboo.
However, practical considerations have eliminated almost
all of the real bamboo from my cages now.

The only bamboo you need for this project is what
Home Depot sells as 'Natural Reed Fencing'.
It comes in 15' x 20' rolls for about $20.

(Home Depot will transfer a roll to your local HD store, if you ask.
Florida HD stores carry this year 'round.)

One roll is enough to do the shelves, some
exterior cage trim, and you'll still have enough left over to get creative with.

If you're making this cage-building project a family affair,
you can get someone started on making these shelves right off the bat.

Let's start with the corner shelves...

The measurements are:

(1) 26" pvc pole for the front
(2) 19" pvc poles for the sides.

Assemble as shown with two 45 degree angle connectors joined in the rear corner,
and one 90 degree connector joined with a 45 degree connector on each side.
Use three 1 3/4" pvc sections to join the connectors.

Next, cut a piece of plastic mesh to fit the frame.
To keep the mesh from rolling, I attach it with a couple of ties,
while I cut it down the center of the pvc poles.

Once the mesh is cut to size, attach it to the frame with ties
every 4 or 5 inches. Clip the excess tail ends from the ties.

Using 3/4 pipe insulation, cover the frame.
This adds thickness to the shelves, as well as
helping keep the bamboo in place (from spinning when climbed on)
on the lower shelves - the ones without floors.

The bamboo has been cut into 7" wide strips and then
had the outer few bamboo sticks removed so that
the remaining wire can be twisted together and folded under.

The 6 1/2" bamboo strips can be cut to size with strong scissors.
Use 11" black cable ties over the bamboo. Pull the ties tight
with pliers so that the tails are underneath the shelf
and clip the tails off.

Make four more of these, omitting the floor, and then
add the chains: I use between 7 and 9 links of the
'Decorative black chain' used for lamps.

Attach single, open links to the cage frame top with cable-ties,
then just lift the stack of shelves into the cage and
hang them from the open links.

This allows you to easily install or remove the shelves,
just by lifting them off of the open links cable-tied to the cage frame.

Use the same 'open link' technique at the floor level to stretch the shelves
across the cage so that they cascade down under the Basking Hammock.

This allows you to un-hook the shelves and let them just
hang straight down in the enclosure, giving you room
to step into the cage for cleaning or to spend a little quality time with your iguana.

To make the Basking Hammock, just use the same techniques
with these measurements:

Cut (2) 33" pvc poles
and (2) 17" pvc poles.

Assemble with four 90 degree corner connectors.

Add the mesh floor, pipe insulation and bamboo,
all held together with cable ties.

Attach chains with 10 or 11 links to the rear corners.
I like to use several extra links in the front chains
to create a slight forward angle.

Using the 'open top link' method to hang the shelves also allows
you to adjust how close the shelves are to the lights.

.....

Now we've done the frame and the front door and the ceiling and the back panels and the windows, and the shelves.

Now there is just the floor to do...

I've got a few different ways to handle that project...

But wait... I do, after all, I want to entice you to
order the Material List, which will answer a few more questions -- and
save you a lot of time figuring out exactly what you need to buy.

I hope that alone will be enough to get you to click on that Paypal button down below.

-- or to drop a check in the mail...

And it's only $19.95. These plans were $39.95 last year!

(Who knows, I could decide to raise the price back up to where it should be at any time!)

If you stop to figure out how many hours you'll save by not making repeat trips to Home Depot,
add to that the aggravation you'll avoid by not wondering if you have the right parts,
and factor in the HUGE value of having these great plans given to you up front to begin with...

I think you'll agree that it's a very small price to pay.

So please, drop a check in the mail - for just $19.95 - to: Keith Van Zile
1125 Clare Avenue, West Palm Beach, FL 33401

or just use Paypal right now. You could even get $5
just for opening a free Paypal account!

I'll promptly email you the Material List, with more helpful tips,
and some great ideas for making the floor!

 

Thanks!
Keith