C&C planning - help please!

[missy]

I'm trying to design my first C&C construction and have looked around for ideas but still have a few questions, if anyone can help please ....

1. I've seen some designs with the grids outside of the coroplast tray whereas others put the grids inside the coroplast. Just wondering what the pros and cons are of the 2 different methods, so I can decide what'll work best here.

2. Ideally I'd prefer an open topped design. I don't have any other pets however there have been quite a few times when neighbours' cats have come into the house (especially in the summer when the back door is open for several hours at a time). It's a shame but I'm thinking I really should cat-proof the cage, just in case, as it's impossible to keep the house cool and be sure that it's "prowler" free!

So...I know you can make a lid simply from grids but was wondering what other options there are for enclosing C&C cages. I've seen on guineapigcages.com that some people have quite smart looking flip-up lids made from long sections of shop-bought shelving with a lip down one side:
http://imageevent.com/cavyspirit/cavycagesclosedcubecoroplast?p=0&w=1&n=1&c=3&m=12&s=0&y=1&z=2&l=0
Has anyone done anything similar or know where I could buy something like this for a lid? Or perhaps you have ideas for different types of lids?

3. Also just wondering what people use for extra support, if needed, either for stopping large lids/tops sagging or for bearing the weight of extra floors. I take it some people use sections of plastic pipe etc but tbh at the moment I'm a bit confused about how exactly the additional storeys would work. Any tips please?

All ideas gratefully received! Thanks! x

 

[flips]

I have an open c & c so can only answer some of your some of your questions. This is mine.

I put the correx tray inside the grid frame. This supports the frame and keeps it rigid. Also if the grids are inside I would imagine that poops would get squished onto the metal grids so make it more difficult to clean (?).

Laura has used wood to support the upper levels on her cages which looks pretty sturdy
http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=46174&highlight=homebase


Good luck.

 

[missy]

Thanks Flips. Yeah I wondered why some people put the correx outside of the frame - I can't really understand what benefit that has.

Is your correx tray cable tied to the grids? Is this how most people do it?

 

[flips]

My tray is cable tied to the frame but that's because it was a bit wonky and only has a small lip because I made it from one piece. I don't think everyone does because some people need to slide the trays out for cleaning, especially if they have enclosed cages. I could be wrong though.
I also have a separate piece of correx behind the tray on the back walls of the cages which is cable tied to the frame. This is just to stop hay and bits falling down the back as it's not easy for me to get behind to clean. @)

 

[missy]

Ah I see! Thanks! Your set up looks fab, by the way. It's the sort of big open design I'd love make but I'm going to have to work around a 'fiddly' shaped wall (incorporating part of an alcove) and then there's the neighbourhood cats to spoil things, yet again...grrrr!

 

[Angeladeedah]

I'm trying to design my first C&C construction and have looked around for ideas but still have a few questions, if anyone can help please ....

1. I've seen some designs with the grids outside of the coroplast tray whereas others put the grids inside the coroplast. Just wondering what the pros and cons are of the 2 different methods, so I can decide what'll work best here.

2. Ideally I'd prefer an open topped design. I don't have any other pets however there have been quite a few times when neighbours' cats have come into the house (especially in the summer when the back door is open for several hours at a time). It's a shame but I'm thinking I really should cat-proof the cage, just in case, as it's impossible to keep the house cool and be sure that it's "prowler" free!

So...I know you can make a lid simply from grids but was wondering what other options there are for enclosing C&C cages. I've seen on guineapigcages.com that some people have quite smart looking flip-up lids made from long sections of shop-bought shelving with a lip down one side:
http://imageevent.com/cavyspirit/cavycagesclosedcubecoroplast?p=0&w=1&n=1&c=3&m=12&s=0&y=1&z=2&l=0
Has anyone done anything similar or know where I could buy something like this for a lid? Or perhaps you have ideas for different types of lids?

3. Also just wondering what people use for extra support, if needed, either for stopping large lids/tops sagging or for bearing the weight of extra floors. I take it some people use sections of plastic pipe etc but tbh at the moment I'm a bit confused about how exactly the additional storeys would work. Any tips please?

All ideas gratefully received! Thanks! x

That was all questions I had too as I hope to get my c&c made up over the next few weeks - was supposed to be this week but haven't got the spare room sorted out.

 

[missy]

That was all questions I had too as I hope to get my c&c made up over the next few weeks - was supposed to be this week but haven't got the spare room sorted out.

Hmmmm....yeah....I'm also getting carried away with the planning when there's tons of tidying/sorting/moving around to do in order to make space before anything can begin! It'll be worth it though

 

[lauralucy]

hi it is worth it in the end however if your anything like me you will take it all apart and re-design more than once. i'm still not completely happy with my design.

here is mine, and its the same the other side 4x3