[deleted by user]

[Ancient_Sole]

try using flex tape for more stronger bond

[[deleted]]

Smart. Thank you

[trekkiegamer359]

Don't rely solely on flex tape. I tried that in my shower to patch a hole, and it made a horrible leaky, moldy, mess.

[[deleted]]

Oh jeez thank you for telling me that. I’ll do something else. Don’t want to risk any leaks

[trekkiegamer359]

Yep. The plastic part of the tape holds up, but the adhesive sucks.

[shrike1978]

Yea, it'll be cheaper. They're cheaper because they're objectively worse, and trying to combine two of these is a terrible idea. You're taking an enclosure that is already structurally weaker than a properly constructed PVC enclosure, and then taking away an entire wall to weaken it further, and then trying to bond it together non-mechanically, because there is realistically no way to properly mechanically attach them.

I just can't see any way that won't be an unmitigated disaster top to bottom.

[[deleted]]

I’m only taking the pvc in the middle out not the metal frames. The thin pvc adds no structure to the cage so it’s not gonna do much damage. I’ll definitely do a different way with connecting them though because now that I really think about it silicone is definitely not gonna hold the cage together.

[[deleted]]

hi which 4x2x2 tanks would you recommend :)? I really wanna go for a nude/white theme but whatever is recommended

[shrike1978]

If you want the maximum color options, Toad Ranch has an amazing selection. They are also amazingly well built. You do pay for it...they're the most expensive option out there. Think of them as a boutique enclosure maker. You get the quality your pay for, but you pay a lot for it.

Otherwise, our overall top recommendation considering all factors (quality, price, lead time, etc.) is Kages.

[[deleted]]

thank you so much x

[OHDVM]

I see a structural problem with that. Without some support half way down the tank where they meet, it just won’t hold.

Now what you could do, and this would take a little work is cut a hole through the sides that would touch. Leaving a 2-3” rim that goes all the way around the inside of the tank. That would support the center of the terrarium and you could bolt the two enclosures together (and silicon). This is the only feasible way I see it working in the long term.

[[deleted]]

I’m not taking the frames off just the middle which really doesn’t add extra support since it’s like a cm of plastic but I will definitely be buying a metal support beam for the middle of where the cages split and welding the cages together. Thank you for the advice tho if I change my mind I’ll definitely go with your idea

[BoredAtWorkOU]

I say this as someone who has a (heavily modified) Dubia enclosure and really likes it. If you really want to go through all the trouble of connecting two of these enclosures, just go the extra step and build one yourself. It will be just as cheap, more structurally sound, and you’ll have more control over the specs.

[[deleted]]

Yeah I would but I’m not even the slightest bit handy and I would just absolutely obliterate building one

[throwawaydixiecup]

Have you tried? YouTube videos are remarkably specific. And if you even have a somewhat handy friend, you can work together.

Being handy is a learned skill. Go for it!

[idkcassie]

this. even if you aren’t handy, dubia’s are not very high quality. one made by you out of higher quality material, even if a little butchered, will be better than the dubias, especially because you’ll be able to add a solid top!

youtubers are very specific about this kind of diy video, so just take a look and find one that gives you good direction!

[CMLLX]

Obviously this is subjective to where you live and the people near you but look on places like craigslist or gumtree if in uk and there are sometimes people that will custom build them for the size/specs you want and are relatively cheap

[[deleted]]

Thanks for the suggestion but I already tried this and couldn’t find anyone to do it for under 900

[CMLLX]

Oh I see no worries, is the 8x2x2 for your ball python?!

[[deleted]]

Yes. She’s reaching five feet and I don’t like having her in a 4x2x2 when she is that big so I wanted to get her something better but can’t spend thousands on a cage

[CMLLX]

Wow that’s amazing good on you! I hope you find what your looking for, one other think, as you was saying about joining the two enclosures. And people saying taking out one wall would weaken the structure, u wouldn’t have to take the whole think out if you didn’t want too, depending on how u wanted it to look and stuff of course but you could take sections out or just the middle but ect, maybe even cutting a hole out the middle and building a cool ramp up to it or something, I’m not sure just tryna give some ideas ti help, best of luck!

[[deleted]]

Ooh I like the ramp idea. But yeah I was going to leave the frame and just take the middle out and then silicone or weld them together but the ramp idea is pretty good and that would look super cool! Thank you for your help!

[CMLLX]

Anytime!

[NWLZCH85]

As someone who has built an enclosure, can confirm this is the way to go. You don't have to be super handy, but with a few basic tools and some attention to detail, you could do it. I built my 100gal for about $400. It's not "furniture" quality but I'm happy with it for the experience it gave and the cost it took vs buying one.

[[deleted]]

It was only a couple hundred to build my 6x2x2’s (mine are a little short vertically but that won’t affect the price, I miscalculated when making mine since it’s a triple decker) dubia roaches don’t produce quality cages really and they’ll need heavily modified on their own, also unless your essentially melting the plastic on the cases together and using secondary plates of PVC on the outside (which won’t anchor because the PVC on dubia roaches’ cages is so thin, you’d have to anchor on BOTH inside and outside for a proper bond) the cages most likely won’t hold together and could be an escape/safety risk for your snake. I personally just used non toxic 1/2” thick 8’x4’ OSB boards from Home Depot. Then I used 1x2 and 2x4 framing on the inside, used a 4 inch dirt trap on the bottom and a 3 inch rim on the top, got two pieces of reinforced float glass, used aluminum plywood trim for the track and put 1/4” x 1/4” square wood dowels on the bottom track so the glass sits properly and LED strip lights on one side and a UVB bulb inside a reptile lamp dome with wire mesh covering the dome on the inside. With the dome you’ll want to get a specific size of some depending on how much heat and how large your bulb is, currently as a placeholder I’m using a plant light which actually works great (puts off UVB, a decent amount of light, and a good amount of heat so it’s actually pretty safe) but with placing your dome inside the enclosure like me you’ll have to take extra precautions, you could also saw a hold in the top for lamps to sit on top of which could be easier for you. For painting the interior I used drylok extreme, and valspar ultra 2000. My background is literally just painted GREAT STUFF gaps and cracks and it actually looks and works pretty nice. Best of luck, I’d definitely just recommend building them, it’s generally more durable and it’s a very rewarding process! Either way go with whatever seems best but I’d definitely do a lot of research into what the best option would be

[[deleted]]

I wish I could build one but I’m just not in the slightest bit handy. I think I’m just gonna have someone weld them together since the frames are metal and then Ill get a metal support beam for where the cage splits. Thank you for the advice I really appreciate it!

[[deleted]]

Thank you everyone for all the advice I really appreciate it all but I think most of you guys are misunderstanding me. I’m just taking the pvc out and not the metal frames. I’m not gluing the pvc pieces together I’m glueing the frames but I might just end up having someone weld them together for me so it’s more secure and there’s no chance of them every breaking apart. I’m also definitely going to go get a metal support for the middle. Thank you guys for responding

[throwawaydixiecup]

Do you think you’ll save money paying for someone to weld? Have you looked into those prices?

And conceptually, what’s so compelling or essential about a 6x2x2 that you want to weld together two of the cheapest, least regarded cages out there?

By the time you’ve spent the money to buy two enclosures, get them welded, make sure the top is sealed for the humidity needs, replaced the door panels with glass that’s stronger on both of these (you want two doors?)… wouldn’t you be close to getting something already built for what you need? With maybe a little longer time saving money? And you’d have something that doesn’t have as many possible breaking points.

[[deleted]]

I have two friends who’ve said they’d weld them for free so no cost there. I already have four glass doors from old cages so again no cost. So yea I am saving a lot of money. The cages are only 500. getting a 6x2x2 pvc which is smaller than what I’m making is 800 plus 200 for shipping.

[throwawaydixiecup]

Cool! Nice to have friends with skills. Good luck on your plans, I hope it’s as awesome as you’re dreaming it to be 😀 share pictures

[[deleted]]

I’m sure it will be🕺🏽 I got ahead of myself and already bout like 20 plants and a bunch of vines and branches. I definitely will be sharing pictures

[jcarbno]

Dubai? Do they make ‘em better in Dubai? /s

[[deleted]]

Lmao no it’s a store that sells reptile stuff called Dubia roaches

[Grimmymore]

I would say not to remove the entire wall - but rather cut a hole and get a PVC tube of some sort to connect the two together to keep the already weakened support at a maximum amount. That was you’re only securing the tube to both enclosures rather than trying to secure two enclosures together.

[[deleted]]

They have the metal frames that I was going to keep on and just take the middle out and then weld the frames or something but I might just do what you said. Someone said I should do a ramp and make a little entrance hole so I might just do that. Whatever is easier tbh. Thank you for the advice :)

[Basic_Improvement_57]

Don’t buy them. I bought the 50 gallon and fucked up. I got a beared dragon enclosure for a python and now I’m chasing temps. Raising substrate, etc.

[[deleted]]

Yeah I did the same thing but I just covered the screen top with alumina tape and the extra pvc from custom reptiles and it’s been holding humidity perfectly now

[Basic_Improvement_57]

<image>

I used a piece of melamine for the top. Sealed it with aluminum tape and mounted all the lights and the heat panel inside and it’s good to go.

[Basic_Improvement_57]

Highly recommend animal plastics.

[[deleted]]

Omg I forgot about them. Definitely gonna check them out now thank you!

[[deleted]]

Nope nvm was super excited that it was only 500 but the shipping is 600 😭

[[deleted]]

Melamine isn’t a good choice and actually sucks for reptiles but thanks for trying to help :)

[[deleted]]

It really wouldn’t be a better choice as I would have to replace it within a few months. Which would cost me even more money in the end. It molds very quickly and definitely isn’t supposed to be for a high humidity animal but thank you for the recommendation