C&c Cage Base?

Louise's Zoo

Louise's Zoo

Adult Guinea Pig
Joined
May 18, 2017
Messages
2,001
Reaction score
3,421
Points
1,175
Location
Surrey
Making plans for my C&C cage setup. I can fit a 6x2 in the new space I'm creating plus I can easily add a loft later if I want.

I need the cage to be as sturdy as possible so I'm going to use grids for the base and it will also have a lid/roof as I have cats (who thankfully have not shown any interest in the 2 standard cages I already have).

Is correx essential? Does it support the side in anyway or add any strength or it is just a large litter tray? I'm considering not using any, to save on cost mainly. When my girls are out in their huge indoor run, I just use puppy pads and fleece and it seems fine. For the C&C I was thinking about having the fleece go up the sides slightly, using pegs or similar just to stop any mess.

Do most of you use correx or can you recommend anything else?
 
I haven't used grids on the base, so the Corex gives the whole thing some structure, but before I got the C&C I used my run with plastic table cloth material underneath, then towels, then fleece, which I suppose would be the similar to what you're doing. If you're putting it on carpet I would definitely put something waterproof down even under the puppy pads though, as they can move the softer materials around a bit.
 
Correx keeps all the stuff in and makes it sturdy. We have removed our correx and actually done what @Reenie did.

Plastic table cloth (from dunhem) then towels the fleece. grids cable tied into a 3x6 shape. We are lucky to have room, to do that, the space is that big for our pair that I don't do run time now as the cage is the size the run used to be..... I would with a cat go for correx as it will stop paws going through at low levels.
 
I hadn't thought about cat paws! God point. The cats are shut out when I'm not here but better to be safe than sorry!

My plan is to have the cage on the floor and I can add part of their indoor run during the day and the pigs can just run in and out as they please. They will have so much space. Can't wait to get started now.

The issue with the correx is I need to buy it online. 2mm isn't that expensive as they can roll it but 4mm is recommended to be sent flat as that thickness rolled can be hard to flatten again but to send it flat costs quite a bit extra. Is 2mm ok or am I best just coughing up and going for the 4mm?
 
4mm is the best to be honest, 2mm and you'll be thinking you wish you'd bit the bullet I think.... It is annoying but it does last. 4mm gives it a sturdy feel

Piggies are going to love it, I cannot wait till pigtures!
 
I'll go 4mm. 2 sheets from the aluminium shop isn't as much as I thought. Result!

Should be able to set it all up in 3 weeks time. Got to wait until baby boy has to be separated from mum and then hope that Edna and Eileen will go back with Eva and the baby girls. Fingers crossed. Poor baby boy will have to be on his own in the 120 cage until he can be neutered.
 
Have you had a look at the members gallery @Eileen's Mum ? It's inspiring me to do something more adventurous. I've ordered the opaque panels that were on a thread earlier today.
 
Reenie said:
Have you had a look at the members gallery @Eileen's Mum ? It's inspiring me to do something more adventurous. I've ordered the opaque panels that were on a thread earlier today.
Click to expand...

I have. It's brilliant. Unfortunately due to the new photobucket policy, a lot of the earlier posts now have missing photos :(
 
When I first got my unexpected second pair I used Spike and Peanuts playpen with a plastic sheet underneath fleece while I decided what cage set up to buy. It was fine until zoomie time when poops shot out the pen and bounced all round the room, poop slides really well on our wooden floor! The corex is a definite improvement.
 
It seems like you have already made your decision, but I wanted to add that you will need correx if you are using grids for the base.
A waterproof oil cloth and fleece on top will not offer a solid enough bottom and the oil cloth and fleece will sag into the gaps in the grids, making the entire base of the cage lumpy.
 
Thanks again for all the advice.

I moved around some stuff in my living room today and can fit the 2x6 no problem. In fact I can fit a 2x7 :yahoo: To start with an area will be sectioned off for little Emmett until his castration. That way he can still be next to his mummy and sisters the whole time. Once he's had his op and is safe I can let him into the main area and they will all have the full 2x7 cage. That's if everything goes to plan, anyway! :ple:

One change of plan will be that the cage will not be going on the floor, it will go on the tables I already have here. It's safer that way as they are not ground level where the dogs tend to take more notice. I will be using correx. It seems like the best option :)

Can't wait to get started on it all now!
 
Thought I'd update this.

C&C grids are ordered and should be here Tuesday. The even better news is that I can fit an 8x2 cage! Correx will be ordered Monday so I should be able to have it all set up by next weekend.

I'm thinking I will have to leave the correx quite high to start with as the babies will still be small but once they've grown a bit more I can trim it down.

Emmett will have to move into his own separate area of the cage and I'm thinking he wont need loads of space but the 5 girls will. Do you think if I give the girls a 5x2 area and Emmett the 3x2 area on the end, that will be enough until he's neutered?
 
Thats what I am going to do when my new little sweetie is neutered! 5 x 2 for the girls and a 3 x 2 for Caramel.
 
Does anyone know or can someone measure the size of the square holes in a C&C panel please? Just trying to work out if they are big enough for my babies to get through. I can wait till Tuesday till mine arrive but I'm curious :)
 
Grids arrived today but still waiting on the correx.

I've built up most of the cage but have not allowed enough grids for reinforcing the roof area. Managed to make a great roof for the 3x2 area but the 5x2 has a saggy roof that's just 10 grids. Will order another pack so I can sort that asap!

Only slight cosmetic annoyance is that I could only get white cable ties and black grids... trying to not let it bug me too much but I can see me swapping them all for black ones if I can get hold of some... :sly:

Edit: Just ordered another pack of grids and should be here Friday :)
 
Last edited:
Correx is here! This should be fun..

Also seeing as I have ordered another 20 grids, I have been able to add a 4x4 loft area to the 5x2 cage :)

It's funny, even though I measured everything, I'm surprised by how big the grids are and how huge the cages are. I'm also impressed with how sturdy it's all ended up. I've used grids for the base and and not used any connectors, just cable ties and it's really sturdy. Wish I'd started off with C&C now!
 
Betsy said:
@Eileen's Mum do you have an In Excess Store nearby? My local one has loads of white cable ties and they are really cheap!
Click to expand...

I have white, it's black I should have got :)

Now it's nearly finished it doesn't look so bad. I doubt I'll bother changing them.

Will get some pics once I've cut the correx. Not looking forward to that part! :yikes:
 
So here it is so far. Still need to finish the roof on the loft and main area. My goodness, I hated sorting the correx. I don't want to do that again :no:

WP_20170803_14_08_40_Pro.webp

WP_20170803_14_08_46_Pro.webp

WP_20170803_14_13_06_Pro.webp

I will definitely add another section onto the 3x2 once the girls move in and Emmett moves out. As you can see, plenty of room :tu:

WP_20170803_14_12_47_Pro.webp
 
Reenie said:
That looks amazing. You obviously took your time. My corex is all different heights. lol
Click to expand...

Some bits at the back are very wonky. I am covered in cuts and scratches from the edges of the correx. It was not fun but it looks ok at least :xd:
 
why are you saying you have hated the correx? :)
As you have a base underneath you could buy also the 2mm correx as mine. I have my cage on the floor and I bought a 2mm piece of correx which was very easy to be cut and glued.
Anyway, yours is a very good choice indeed! I see a brilliant result
this is my cage
100_6630.webp
100_6885.webp
100_6974.webp
anyway I spent more for the correx than for the whole cage...:(
 
If you find your bigger lids are too heavy and sag you can get support bars. I got mine from Grendle on ebay. I ended up using them as a support for the loft as I couldn't use the lid due to putting Spike and Peanut on a table with the legs standing in the C&C cage. I just love C&C it's so adaptable, if you miss measure or change your mind all is not lost. I ended up making a playpen with the lid grids, which is very handy at cleaning out time!
I got extra cable ties from B&Q.
 
rome_italy said:
why are you saying you have hated the correx? :)
As you have a base underneath you could buy also the 2mm correx as mine. I have my cage on the floor and I bought a 2mm piece of correx which was very easy to be cut and glued.
Anyway, yours is a very good choice indeed! I see a brilliant result
this is my cage
View attachment 67717
View attachment 67718
View attachment 67719
anyway I spent more for the correx than for the whole cage...:(
Click to expand...

It cut me to pieces. It was such a big piece and very hard to work with. It came wrapped in 2mm correx and I'm glad I didn't use that as it would have been too thin for my cage. I need stronger correx to make sure the babies don't move it or bend it, plus I wanted it to be strong so that it would help the cage keep it's shape better, especially in the loft area :)

piggieminder said:
If you find your bigger lids are too heavy and sag you can get support bars. I got mine from Grendle on ebay. I ended up using them as a support for the loft as I couldn't use the lid due to putting Spike and Peanut on a table with the legs standing in the C&C cage. I just love C&C it's so adaptable, if you miss measure or change your mind all is not lost. I ended up making a playpen with the lid grids, which is very handy at cleaning out time!
I got extra cable ties from B&Q.
Click to expand...

I made a few mistakes while setting it up and it's great being able to just take apart and start again. So far the lids and loft area seem very secure. The loft floor is just 3 grids so the ramp will go inside and I have covered the floor with correx but cut a small hole for the top of the ramp. I wont be adding the ramp till the babies are bigger.

So far C&C is a big win for me and the piggies :D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top