Posted by roger on 11/8/2009, 6:23 am, in reply to "Help with habitat shopping."
76.191.189.245

It's too bad you can't build your own habitat. You would get way more for your money. You are considering a pre-built that is $1,000.00 less than the next size up, knowing that the eight foot model will be the final home. If you want to avoid buying intermediate habitats, this one is the most critical because both top sizes are expensive, and you'll be duplicating the cost of the one you settle for plus the extra $1,000.00 if you buy the smaller one first, then have to get the eight-footer later. Following your reasoning, which IMO is valid, I'd build my own, or come up with enough money to buy the full sized habitat. Those two options will save you a lot of money in the long run. Iguanas are not cheap. I wish their adult size were six inches SVL; that would make them a lot easier to care for. Roger

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Posted by Eric on 11/6/2009, 6:24 pm, in reply to "Help with habitat shopping."
71.229.180.8

You definitely want to DIY. There are a lot of horror stories about CBD's customer service, design, and cutting corners. aluminum framing is $0.20-0.23/in 1/4" thick polyethylene sheet is $3.90/ft^2 3/8" acrylic is $4.40/ft^2 1/4" acrylic is $5.70/ft^2 A 72x72x48 enclosure needs at least: 84 ft^2 of acrylic 84 ft^2 of HDPE 650" of framing (this doesn't include framing for hinged doors--you don't want sliding doors) $370 for 3/16" acrylic or $480 for 1/4" $325 for the HDPE $250-500 for the aluminum parts If you really wanted to cut corners, 1/8" acrylic would be about $250 and laminated particle board is about 5X cheaper than PE but not durable at all. A sliding door would reduce the amount of framing required as well as parts like hinges. $515 to build a 72x72x48 version of a CBD (albeit with sturdier framing) $1200-1500 for an enclosure with thicker acrylic, weatherproof HDPE, and hinged doors It's not really DIY since all you do is submit the design to the fabricator who makes the parts and then usually ships the same or next day. Then you assemble it with a hex key, screwdriver, and other hand tools. I need to design at least two enclosures. One smaller one for my elderly iguana and a bigger one for my parents' younger, much larger ig. If you're not in a hurry and can wait for me to finish, I plan on making the designs available to everyone. Imagine DIY prices but with the convenience of just placing an order and having the enclosure show up at your doorstep ready-to-assemble.

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Posted by Jacob on 11/6/2009, 2:39 pm, in reply to "Help with habitat shopping."
75.68.198.33

Btw, perhaps I should supply a product link for better reference. http://www.cagesbydesign.com/product/tabid/77/p-172-hybrid-reptile-cages-60h-x-60l-x-36d-h3.aspx What I Like about this one especially is the acrylic materials rather than caged, I imagine that would make temp/humidity management extremely easy. Also I notice you mentioned with it being a baby and issues with that. Would I not just be able to sort of size down everything within the habitat to accommodate the smaller baby? As in, lower the lamps down a bit to keep the heat gradient lower to the base of the habitat and also restrict the climbing height by just not having anything extend up too high? I mean, while iguanas appear to be outstanding climbers it would have nothing to climb on but a 90 degree smooth surface and so would be restricted to a lower portion of the habitat.

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Posted by DinaLynn on 11/6/2009, 2:32 pm, in reply to "Help with habitat shopping."
71.230.133.173

Well although it's a good idea to start thinking about a huge cage to keep your igg in, you gotta remember a baby igg will be able to get out of the cage or worse get stuck in the nooks and crannies. (so start with a small tank till it gets a little bigger) For a good sized Iguana I would get the Cat Play Pen from Midwest. (put it on a stand to make it higher) Then when your ready build your own huge cage out of PVC.

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