Ack, I'm getting frustrated

[Cool~Cavy~Momma]

I had originally made a 3 level C&C cage... Just like this one. https://www.guineapigcages.com/gallery/644/ I loved this cage, but I am finding it very frustrating to put together and get into. We like to take our guys out often and getting into this is tough (for me anyway). Everytime I come close to it the dumb little connector things fall off and grids fall down. I used cable connectors so that helped hold things together as to not hurt the cavies, but it falls apart everytime I get close to it and well.... ugh... I'm just getting frustrated.

Anyone have suggestions? I love the 3 level look... but I'm thinking something like this would be easier to get into and to clean.

(broken link removed)

 

[dagwellismypigy]

How about something like my cage? https://www.guineapigcages.com/gallery/2845/. It has coroplast now, and is really easy to clean. I redid it with cable ties, The connectors that come with the cubes are crap, in my oppinion.

 

[Cool~Cavy~Momma]

Your cage is great... but I have a 2 year old and a cat so it needs to be enclosed. I already have my coroplast cut and put together for a 2x3 for the bottom so I need to start with that base for right now.

I'm thinking of just ditching the connectors also. They are a pain in my side!! I was thinking of just hinging the grids that I use as doors with cable ties and then doing the other side with a strip of velcro around it to hold it so we can easily get in.

I think its going to be a long night... ) I'm going to look through the galleries some more and then maybe I'll be calmed down enough to go back out and give it another whirl.

Wish me luck!

 

[dagwellismypigy]

Mine is going to be enclosed, just saving up for the grids, you can easily add doors to the front and a lid. I would take another loook through the photo galleries, everytime I go in there I find more and more great ideas.

 

[Cool~Cavy~Momma]

Well... I dismantled the whole thing and took off all the connectors and cable ties and started over with just the cable ties. My fingers hurt, but I am really please with it now. It is stable and only moves where I want it too. Those darn connectors made it hard to have doors that would allow access to clean the cage. I am going to pick up some velcro (I think that is what was used on the door panels for the my little pony cage) and that is what will allow me to open certain grids for cleaning.

I've only gotten the main play area and the second floor finished tonight. I've got to get to bed soon. The main play area is 2x3 (grids) and the second floor is 1x2 plus 1 (an L shape. I think that is how you describe it). The third floor will just be 1x2 I think. I may make it bigger but will then need to also extend the second floor.

Thanks for your help... guess I'm not the only night owl.

Cool ~ Cavy ~ Momma

 

[Slap Maxwell]

What really works is the velcro cable ties for door latches. You can try to find those.

(broken link removed)

Trust me, your not the only night owl. It's 3:25 AM here.

 

[cutemomome]

Ok, please don't laugh at my question.
If I would to use the cable ties, (finally ran out of connectors), do I neeed a tool to "punvh" the ties through? I mean how does it work?

 

[dagwellismypigy]

No tools needed, you just thread the end of the cable tie through the hole and pull.

 

[Slap Maxwell]

Look at the end of the cable tie with the hole. The is one side with a bump and one flat side. Bend the cable tie and put it through the flat side. Like in this picture:

Pull it tight and it won't come undone. If you put it through the side with the bump, it won't work.

 

[cutemomome]

Oh...... I see.
I guess Home Depot won't be getiing my $14.99!
Thanks Slap!!!
From what I've read in the thread, the cables are very steady right? I think I will really like the flexibility of the ties, the ease of opening and gaining access into the cage!
THANKS

 

[zakfoxmom]

I got a bag of 100 of the zip ties from home depot for, I think, under $10. I also got this cool little zip tie tool that you can use to tighten and cut the zip tie really easily.

My cat, Ranger, is addicted to laying in the piggie cage and I am trying to figure out a way to make a top because it has a second level on one end. I have not come up with any ideas at all so I have just kept my son's door closed so Ranger can't get in.

 

[Slap Maxwell]

zakfoxmom, that is horrible expensive for zip ties. I would expect at leat 1,000 for $10.

 

[Percy's Mom]

My cat, Ranger, is addicted to laying in the piggie cage and I am trying to figure out a way to make a top because it has a second level on one end. I have not come up with any ideas at all so I have just kept my son's door closed so Ranger can't get in.

I'm going to have to keep a top on mine too for cat reasons. When I put the second level on mine, I'm planning for an L shape 1X5 across the back with the 5th being 2 deep. I'm planning on extending all of the main walls from the bottom level all the way up, so the top will fit snuggly over a complete 2X5 perimeter. Basically part of the lower level will have 2 story ceilings. I hope that made sense.

 

[RubyPiggie2]

That is VERY expensive. Go to your dollar store, I got 100 cable ties for $1...