Door question on custom cage stack

[brookec]

I am working on the design for a custom reptile enclosure. I want it to look nice so it can be displayed in my living room and so we can continue to enjoy watching our reptiles. But I need to get around having all of the multiple tanks setup around the house. This will also give us more room to add more reptiles!! Yeah!
Anyway, I have been playing around with the design for a week or so and right now I’m really having a hard time deciding on how to do the doors. At first I thought I would do a frame with plexi or glass in the center and hinge them down. I’m still leaning toward this, I figure they will have to open nearly all the way so I have full access into the cages (I’m short with short arms!). The other option we are considering is 2 sliding doors. Can anyone give any feedback on if one is easier than the other to do (both seem ok – seems like sliding would be easier and probably cheaper). Additionally I’d love feedback from anyone that has similar types of doors and how they like using them over time. I’m afraid that I might get annoyed with the sliders since I will only be able to access one half of the cage at a time.
Cage dimensions are roughly 36” wide (inside) x 18” deep (inside) by around 12-14” tall (inside of each enclosure).
It will house our ball python and 2 Leos to start. I’d love to add either a corn snake or another Ball Python or more Leopard Geckos. If this goes well we will probably build a 2nd one exactly like this as our collection grows to go in our hallway.

 

[LeoTyreal]

ill have to get you some pics of the one i made but i did the .20 acrylic for the front door on my tank i built. its almost 1/4" thick and doesn't twist like the thinner plexi. the only difference i did is it swings to the side and not down, and i have a slide bolt that keeps the door closed so it can't be pushed open. the good thing about that (in your case) is it wont fold down to block the lower tanks. the only down side to that for you is since they will be 36" wide thats a lot to swing sideways you would need at least 3 hinges to support it and could pull the screws out. unless you did like the the exo terra tanks and had two hinged doors that swing away. the only trick will be locking them closed... for that you could have a small hinged bar that would sandwich the plexi and keep both doors in place in the frame. hope thats not to confusing, but i can pm you some pics if you like to give you an idea what im talking about

 

[brookec]

Yeah, I thought about doors hinged on the side. I've been playing around with that some too but am not really liking it because the cage is so wide. Hinges aren't a big deal, I'll probably get a continuous piano hinge at work for cost and it will be cheap. Whatever I do I need to be sure my doors lock good so the snake can't escape. Here is an updated view with the door that I've been playing around with - there is only a door on the top cage and it is shown part way open and no glass shown in it yet. I'm not really liking this door design though. I want to be able to see right in if the animal is on the floor and with this door I won't be able to see at the very bottom of the cage. But if I hinge it any differently the door won't flop all the way down and it will make getting in difficult and probably end up pulling the screws out. My day job is designing stuff out of sheet metal....so it's been a little bit of a fun challenge to play with designing something in wood!

 

[leezard]

When I built mine I went with sliding doors. I found it easier once I found the track. I used 1/8 plexi and I am pretty happy with how they turned out they are not 100% complete as I want to add Contact paper on the insides. I think the sliding doors close better you don't have to really lock them.

 

[LeoTyreal]

very nice tank stack you built there leezard. ill have to post you guys mine when i get home in an hour to show you what i was talking about with the hinges Brookec. and sheet metal fab huh? very cool i did steel construction and welding for 6 years. started with fences and railings then went to power terminal boxes for power switch stations all out of polished SS then buildings lol now a mechanic...go figure but i do like your idea with the fold down door, if it folds all the way down it will definitely allow full tank access. and maybe a side swinging or slide track door for the bottom to keep it from laying flat on the ground.

 

[brookec]

Thanks leezard, VERY nice! I'm going to see if I can find the tracks. I saw a few links in posts the other day but I can't seem to find them now. My only concern is that I need to figure out how to latch them and lock them. I'm not really worried about my Leos trying to escape, but I would feel better if they were securely latched, that way I don't have to worry about a cat or dog trying to get in. PLUS I will also have my ball python in this cage and she needs a secure door.

 

[brookec]

Leotyreal - if you are a mechanic you may be familiar with some of the product I design.....TOOLBOXES!

 

[LeoTyreal]

haha oh well then in that case yes i am lol who do you design them for? and have you had any luck on deciding what kind of door your going with?

 

[brookec]

I'm going to go with the sliding doors. I think it will cost less and I'm sure I can figure out door latches. With the width I shouldn't be too limited at getting in the cages. Lighting is the next big thing I'm trying to figure out now. I'd love to have it custom wired with a day bulb & night bulb in each cage on a timer. My husband could probably wire it, but he is a little worried that it will be totally safe so we are doing some more research before we decide on how to do it.
And I work at Matco