Introducing myself!

Welcome! I hope you and your roommate both learn tons of great new info here!

With regard to fixing the size of your walls on the cage, you can add "partial grids" to each wall to extend them to the size they need to be to fit outside the coroplast. I would recommend it, from experience having made the same mistake early on.

The grids will dirty easier if inside the coroplast and they aren't as easy to clean as the coroplast is.

More importantly, they could be a safety hazard for your little piggies feet and toes is they get caught between the coroplast and the grids - at least that was my concern when I mismeasured on one of my older C&C attempts.

You can expand with "partial grids" by using zip ties to attach a full grid to each wall, overlapping the grids on either side partially but only expand the length of the wall as much as needed to make the length appropriate for the size of the coroplast base. I hope this explanation makes sense and helps you with your challenge.

Welcome to GPC!

When I made my cage I made the coroplast too big too. I undid all the tape and made a new score about 1/4"-1/2" below the original. Then I reinforced the ouside with extra tape. One side is a bit higher than the others but I don't think the piggies will mind. Actually, that can be used as a back splash of sorts to help keep hay/bedding in.

starshine123102 said:

Welcome to GPC!

When I made my cage I made the coroplast too big too. I undid all the tape and made a new score about 1/4"-1/2" below the original. Then I reinforced the ouside with extra tape. One side is a bit higher than the others but I don't think the piggies will mind. Actually, that can be used as a back splash of sorts to help keep hay/bedding in.

Click to expand...

I have used this method to adjust cage sizing as well and it works out pretty good. The one side bigger thing.... lol I seem to manage to do that EVERY single time I make a cage. It does work out well as a back splash though and I've found it helps to keep from having to clean all sorts of hay, etc. from the floor behind the tables.

If you choose this method, just make sure you measure well to determine how much of the extra coroplast to cut off. I've had mishaps of trying to correct the size and taking off too much of the coroplast only to have to start all over again, which is of course frustrating!

3AMAutumnal said:

I have used this method to adjust cage sizing as well and it works out pretty good. The one side bigger thing.... lol I seem to manage to do that EVERY single time I make a cage. It does work out well as a back splash though and I've found it helps to keep from having to clean all sorts of hay, etc. from the floor behind the tables.

If you choose this method, just make sure you measure well to determine how much of the extra coroplast to cut off. I've had mishaps of trying to correct the size and taking off too much of the coroplast only to have to start all over again, which is of course frustrating!

Click to expand...

I never cut off the extra, just rescored and left the overhand there. Way easier that way.

Same here. Didn't cut the extra coro. I actually made the mistake of making it too perfect, meaning just on the right measurement, and found out that it doesn't fit because of the connectors and because you don't have straight angles, so being a perfectionist didn't serve me. I was a little mad, but didn't throw it away, it was a lot of work. So the same coro, even if it was already carved on the sides, I carved again 2 inches next to it (on 2 sides not all 4, makes it easier), so it fitted, even if it is a little taller on one side then the other. It still holds for the purpose, because it is carved not cut. And you can't even see it.
So next time when you clean the cage, carve the coro a few inches next to the other carve and bend it after it, and it will fit in not out of your grids. Watch the connectors too when you measure (measure from connector to connector, not from grid to grid, otherwise won't fit again nor in nor out)!

I'm insanely angry (well maybe not that angry) that I did that! I measured 12 times (you know that whole measure twice/cut once thing) and thought I was so smart, making sure I took into consideration the connectors...and I didn't even realize until I came to the site this morning that I had done it entirely wrong! But I think I knew it needed to go inside, so I don't know what I was thinking! Jees! I'll have to look at it when I get home and try to figure out how to fix it. Hopefully its an easy fix because I cannot start all over, that coroplast was expensive!

Either way, Kale and Juno love their home!! I can't believe how happy they are now. I just sat there last night for 1/2 an hour staring at them running and chasing each other around. They had so much fun! I'm glad I could create an enjoyable environment for them!

Yes I know what you mean about measuring 100x. I spent a whole day measuring the upper parts, the lower one, how high each side, this that. It was already 10pm when I was almost ready, and I had to stay up till 1am to finish what my stupid perfectionist nature had done. Don't worry, it is an easy fix.
As I said, carve it one more time more on the inside, and you will be fine. Look, I posted a picture for you to see my mistake https://www.guineapigcages.com/photos/showphoto.php/photo/13270

Welcome. Great job on a first cage. I saw it in your photo gallery. Just think how perfect you will be at making them after making a mistake or two. I think we all have made some when building them.

Also yours and your roommate's guinea pigs are precious.

Hi and welcome!

If that's the worst boo-boo you do as a cavy slave...don't sweat it (speaking from years of experience)!