Second level, drooping, qustion about pvc piping

[AliKH]

I just joined yesterday but I've been lurking the site for about a month. My question is about pvc pipping I've seen people using to support the underside of the second level when it drooping down.

Just how wide and tall is the pipping people are using? also do you have a brand suggestion?

I'm asking because I've nearly finished building my first second level to my C&C cage and the center of its drooping. The cage is 4sq by 2sq for the bottom and 1sq by 4sq for the second level. I've currently got it supported by a 2x4 & link of cable/zip-ties we had laying around the apartment.

 

[Toadies]

I didn't have a second level, but I had a 2x4 and then a 2x5 with a wire shelving lid. With several kitties, I wanted the top more rigid than it was unsupported. I used a length of 1/2 inch conduit to support the middle of the lid lengthwise. Conduit is metal channel used to run wire through and is not expensive. It is also more rigid than small diameter PVC. I just cut it about 2 inches longer than the length of the cage, wrapped the ends with duct tape (to keep it from slipping off of the grids) and zip-tied my shelving top to it. It spanned the length of the cage, with no posts to interrupt the open span of the inside of the cage. There are larger diameters of conduit, which would be even stronger.

 

[AliKH]

oh that will be handing if I have climbers and need to add a top. my problem was solved when we added the rest of the siding to the upper cage to prevent the cavys from falling. Thank you for the help toadies

PS. I won't have any guinea pigs until tomorrow, a pair of girls who've been housed together already.