What material to use for under the cage?

[steve_and_pigs]

I'm making a 5x2 cube cage (maybe 6x2), and I'd like to put something between the cage (coroplast) and the carpet to intercept unexpected leaks.

Option 1:

Elevate cage: Put the cage on "something", then put the something on blocks or upside down containers, (or more cubes).

What would be good for the "something". It would need to be rigid (to support a large cage), but I'd like to be be reasonably light.

Option 2:

Cage on floor with a layer of something between cage and carpet. In this
case the something does not need to be so rigid, but it needs to be pretty bulletproof with respect to leak interception


Any suggestions on your favorite cage floor/underfloor materials would be greatly appreciated!

[Jenni_Feathers]

There shouldnt be any leaks, coroplast is solid plastic, the only way there would be leaks is if it gets cut wrong.

[socal805]

I wanted my cage off of the ground but not too high up, we ended up getting plywood and putting it on cinder blocks. I painted the plywood and then put a length of fabric to match my living room all around the bottom of the whole thing to hide the cinder blocks. The cinderblocks are heavy though and I was thinking that if I did this again I would get large plastic plant pots (5 of them, 1 at each corner and 1 in the middle) and turn them upside down. Then you could just screw the wood to the plastic pots. This would be sturdy and look fairly nice too.
I like the plywood because it is sturdy but light enough that I can move it if I need to.

[Jenni_Feathers]

Grid stands also work quite well, I have one myself for my 2x8 and it is strudy enough for my pigs and cats (my cats like to sleep in the pigs cage, they do it all the time , I think they like the fleece) and it is light weight there are many pictures of thm in the gallery, here is a pic of mine. If you make one be sure to zip-tie or cable-tie all of the grids together for extra support.
Here is the stands photogallery with many great ideas for many types of stands in it: http://www.guineapigcages.com/photos...ry.php/cat/522

and here is a picture of my grid stand

[naturegal592]

I like the grid stands but it wouldn't catch leaks. You can seal all of the edges of the coroplast with some duct tape. That is what I did on all of the corners. The plywood is a good idea also. I would paint it to keep leaks from soaking in. If you do that OSB is cheaper. You could use milk crates instead of cinder blocks. Good Luck.

[TX_2_Pigs]

I have never had my coroplast leak. I have never had that much liquid in my cage that it would leak, even when the water bottles were leaking. If it does, just re-tape the corners. I honestly wouldn't be concerned with it leaking. Your best bet really is the grids. They are versatile and light weight.

If you are still concerned with leaking (which you really shouldn't be) Use a $1 shower curtain or plastic drop cloth (which can also be found for $1) between your grid base and your coroplast. Turn your coroplast tray upside down, drape the shower curtain/plastic over it and "wrap" it around the bottom, taping it to the sides (like wrapping a present). Turn your tray over and put it in the cage.

[socal805]

My coroplast has leaked in one corner where I must have cut through without knowing it, you have to be really careful when cutting! I'm looking at Jenni's cage and dreaming...I love the houge ramp so they can go in and out of the cage, do they poo and pee on the floor of that room??

[steve_and_pigs]

Thanks for all the tips!

I really like the picture of the cube bottom for elevating the cage. You can really see how it is done. I also think I am going to steal the "L" cage design for use in a room corner. A good use of space to get a few more square feet for piggies!

I'll tape up my carefully cut corners, and see how things go. I could also caulk the corners from the inside. Is silicon bathroom caulk a no-no? I'm pretty sure latex caulk is no good for water sealing.

[Jenni_Feathers]

Originally Posted by socal805

I'm looking at Jenni's cage and dreaming...I love the houge ramp so they can go in and out of the cage, do they poo and pee on the floor of that room??

No...actually they don't (thankfully) sometimes they will leave behind poops but they have only peed on it maybe once, they dont spend that much time out of the cage though since there food, hay, and beds are in the cage. They ushally only come out in the morning and around dinner time to run mad laps and explore