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Old 10-23-2018, 03:56 PM   #1
Sh4dow85
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Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Yorkshire, UK
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Default Pepper and Miss Amber's Kallax Kage!

I had the pleasure of adopting a toffee coloured Syrian, Miss Amber, back in January, and shes been happily living in a large Olaf 3 cage since. My intention has always been to build a DIY cage out of one of the kallax ikea units, having seen some wonderful examples all over this forum and around the Internet! Since getting Miss Amber, I've also adopted a gorgeous salt and pepper Russian Dwarf - Pepper!

So finally after ten months of planning out and saving up, I'm beginning my DIY build, and I'd like you to come along for the ride!

My plans originally were for a 4x2 Kallax unit, where two end spaces were for storage, and the remaining 6 spaces were Miss Ambers living quarters. Now, I'm actually going to be using a 4x3 unit, and either Amber gets a 3x3 cage, or she still gets a 3x2 cage and Pepper gets a 3x1 loft space! (pictures attached to show my ideas!) Bearing in mind one floor would be about 38.5msq, this would mean Amber gets 77msq - more than double the recommended size of 30msq! Plus I'll be adding in some shelves and levels to add to the space they can climb about on.

I'd love to know what you think so far and any suggestions, and I'll try and post as much as possible with every step!

Thanks for reading! Xx
Attached Images
File Type: jpg PHOTO_20181023_230618.jpg (1.78 MB, 147 views)
File Type: jpg PHOTO_20181023_233528.jpg (2.54 MB, 106 views)
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Old 10-23-2018, 06:21 PM   #2
Sasha04
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Default Re: Pepper and Miss Amber's Kallax Kage!

Whoa! Your so creative! This looks like an awesome cage! Lucky Miss. Amber and Peper! How are you planning on the ventilation? Looking forward to seeing updates!
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Old 10-24-2018, 01:22 AM   #3
Sh4dow85
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Default Re: Pepper and Miss Amber's Kallax Kage!

Thanks Sasha! I've had a good 10 months of planning and looking at other people's wonderful designs so I'm hoping I've included everything I need!

I'll be making holes in the back which will be a sheet of mdf and fitting some vivarium vents to ensure there's enough air flow - probably 4 per level. The front will be sliding glass panels, so they won't be airtight either and will let some air through.

Realised my calculations are off too - one level will be 0.38m², not 38m²! That'd be huuuuge! 🤣 Serves me right for posting right before bedtime!
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Old 10-25-2018, 07:34 AM   #4
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Pepper and Miss Amber's Kallax Kage!

It looks amazing - you are clever! How about just meshing the back? Loads of ventilation then.
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Old 10-25-2018, 09:14 PM   #5
Sasha04
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Default Re: Pepper and Miss Amber's Kallax Kage!

Oh whoa! Tons of ventilation! This is going to be such a a great cage!
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Old 11-11-2018, 04:15 AM   #6
Sh4dow85
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Default Re: Pepper and Miss Amber's Kallax Kage!

A quick update as the project stalled slightly!!

I'd half built up the 3x4 Kallax unit, but after a lot of thought, decided it's far too big for the space I need to put it to. It's meant to have my TV on top of it (or wall hung - I don't want sound vibrations upsetting my hams!) and it would have been awful looking up at the tv at the height it would end up at.

So last night the 3x4 unit was returned to Ikea, and I've swapped it out for the 2x4 unit I'd originally planned for when I thought about this project. It'll basically be the same as the 3x4 I'd drawn out in the original picture, just without the top level! Unfortunately this will mean that Pepper won't be able to move into the penthouse, but I'm sure she'll be fine taking over Ambers huge cage. Thankfully she's not a bar-chewer, so this is no issue.

Last night I got the unit half built up again to start working out the configuration, and redesigned the interior (see pics!).

Next steps: Getting a sheet of mdf for the back panel, a hole saw and some vents. All the inside will be covered with clear vinyl to prevent any urine soaking into the wood or getting into cracks, and I have some aquarium sealant to seal up and joins.
Also need to work out where all my internal shelving is going to go before screwing the unit together properly, as a lot of the shelves will be screwed into either the unit or the back mdf panel, so I need to pre-plan where the holes are going to be needed.

Really hoping to have this all finished by Xmas, but I also don't want to rush it and make a total mess seeing as I'm doing this all on my own!
Attached Images
File Type: jpg Kallax Internal Design.jpg (108.8 KB, 54 views)
File Type: jpg Kallax Shelving.jpg (198.6 KB, 44 views)
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Old 12-08-2018, 09:51 AM   #7
Sh4dow85
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Default Re: Pepper and Miss Amber's Kallax Kage!

The shell of the unit is finally up, and the backboard is going on tomorrow. Had another shift round of the internal layout as well to make sure the middle shelf is supported properly. Hopefully more pics of all this tomorrow night.

So far, I've got some nice chrome feet attached to the bottom, and have started to build a spiral staircase! I hated all the ramp and ladder ideas I had as a way to get up/down, as they took up far too much space. This little staircase saves a lot of space, and as it's glued and nailed together, it's sturdy!

Watch this space for more pics and updates!
Attached Images
File Type: jpg PHOTO_20181205_193836.jpg (3.24 MB, 55 views)
File Type: jpg PHOTO_20181208_164107.jpg (2.47 MB, 47 views)
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Old 12-10-2018, 09:05 PM   #8
Thin Lizzy
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Default Re: Pepper and Miss Amber's Kallax Kage!

I can't wait to see the final result. Good luck!
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Old 12-12-2018, 06:51 AM   #9
Sh4dow85
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Default Re: Pepper and Miss Amber's Kallax Kage!

Finally it's starting to take shape, and I have to say I LOVE how it's looking!!

Holes drilled and back vents fitted, and a custom full length shelf cut, wrapped in black vinyl and fitted. Also got the strip lights fitted and working - they can cycle through different colours, or stay static on one, so I'll probably have it either on white or red depending on the time of day. Although it does look pretty cycling through the colours, I don't want to give Amber a headache!!

My popsicle sticks arrived today, so I'll be finishing off the spiral staircase and marking out where to drill the hole between the two levels. Want to take my time with that as I don't want to mess the shelf up putting it in the wrong place!
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Old 12-12-2018, 06:54 AM   #10
Sh4dow85
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Default Re: Pepper and Miss Amber's Kallax Kage!

Helps to actually attach the photo before posting...
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amber, pepper, cage, miss, kallax, diy, ambers, space, build, spaces, unit, living, syrian, pleasure, floor, 38.5msq, mind, double, recommended, 77msq, bearing, show, 3x3, 3x2, 3x1

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