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Old 04-30-2018, 03:42 PM   #1
quisp65
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Default 1500 sq inch Acrylic cage

I decided to make an acrylic cage for my DIY cage project using 1/4 inch acrylic. It's 55x28x18 inches (139.7x71.12x45.72 cm) which makes about 1,500 sq inches. Acrylic ran me $261, so it's more expensive than a wooden cage. Solvent ran me around $10. One could get the price down by at least half by going with thinner acrylic but I would think they would need to double up on acrylic at the joints. Since acrylic scratches easily I am putting my bottle on a post.

I solvent welded a panel at a time. I hand sanded the edges for welding preparation. If a person is interested in making something similar... search "acrylic aquarium diy" on youtube.

Pros: better visibility, might be easier to make than some other DIY cages

Cons: Expensive, scratches easily



Last edited by quisp65; 04-30-2018 at 05:30 PM.
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Old 04-30-2018, 10:57 PM   #2
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Default Re: 1500 sq inch Acrylic cage

Wow what a fabulous cage you have there!
Just a shame it was so expensive
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Old 04-30-2018, 11:35 PM   #3
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Default Re: 1500 sq inch Acrylic cage

That does look really nice, great space & depth for lots of substrate, have you made a lid for it or not? I always think it best to have a lid on any cage to be safe.
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Old 05-01-2018, 05:43 AM   #4
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Default Re: 1500 sq inch Acrylic cage

I'm thinking about the lid. I could just buy some diy window screens. So far every lid I think up wouldn't take care of a hamster that somehow found it's way to the top and tried to squeeze through the crack between the edge and the screen.

I'll put some thought into it for a while and for now keep my wheel and other items away from the side.

Last edited by quisp65; 05-01-2018 at 05:57 AM.
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Old 05-01-2018, 11:37 AM   #5
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Default Re: 1500 sq inch Acrylic cage

That looks beautiful. I would have a wooden framed mesh lid for good ventilation.
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Old 05-01-2018, 12:15 PM   #6
SimonandSyril
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Default Re: 1500 sq inch Acrylic cage

That looks like a lovely cage! most acrylic cages I've seen don't have the clear pristine look like yours does, good job!
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Old 05-02-2018, 05:48 AM   #7
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Default Re: 1500 sq inch Acrylic cage

Looks amazing! Very nice to see such a good sized cage! I’m sure you’re hamster will love it

I’m looking into building a DIY cage so this helpful ^
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Old 05-02-2018, 08:08 AM   #8
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Default Re: 1500 sq inch Acrylic cage

Looks really good! I do really like the way it look and also appear from the photo your hamster is loving it too!

I also think a lid would be a good idea to - I know I would personally worry about my hamster escaping.
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Old 05-02-2018, 08:23 AM   #9
quisp65
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Default Re: 1500 sq inch Acrylic cage

I've noted urine in the blue tube for the past 2 nights and this is the first time I noted a peeing spot other than digging to the bottom of the cage and peeing there. This tube would be easy to clean out with my toilet bidet every couple of days. Wonder what the chances are him only picking that spot to urinate? He might just be peeing everywhere.

Also those half cut logs come in handy to help the hamster burrows from losing their roof. Not seen in my picture above is a larger half cut log under the substrate completely hidden right underneath where the hamster is sitting in the picture. The first night he didn't discover it, but the second day I made a finger hole to the opening and he made another entrance and this is his new burrow where he sleeps. Our fluffy substrate we provide them is easy to make burrows but I imagine a hamster's nightmare maintaining it's roof. Those half logs make excellent burrow roof supports. I think they like it completely hidden as compared to out in the open... IMO.

Come to think about it... I should probably bury the other houses too and make finger holes to those also. Only problem is I see my hamster less

Last edited by quisp65; 05-02-2018 at 08:33 AM.
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acrylic, cage, ran, easily, solvent, expensive, scratches, diy, make, inch, panel, joints, post, putting, bottle, time, welded, preparation, easier, cages, cons, visibility, edges, sanded, welding

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