Converted bookshelf with plexi doors

[Kels88]

Here is the "snake shelf," courtesy of my crafty hubby.
http://www.cornsnakes.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=830&pictureid=5997

We used a wally world bookshelf ($19)
some silicone
plexi
flexwatt
a light dimmer for temp control
hinges and latches from the hardware store
pegboard (to replace the flimsy back and allow ventilation)
screws and whatnot.

Here's the box:
http://www.cornsnakes.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=830&pictureid=5994

Flexwatt chamber
http://www.cornsnakes.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=830&pictureid=5995

Finished product! Please ignore the mess :rolleyes:
http://www.cornsnakes.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=830&pictureid=5996

The plexi and flexwatt were the most expensive parts. I'd say this could be built with less than $150, an elec. drill, jig saw with plastic blade, and rotary saw to cut the pegboard. There was a lot of trial and error though; the next one will come along a little cheaper, faster, and smoother.

[Urban_M86]

Awesome job!! what are the messurments of the book shelf?

[Kels88]

I can't measure it right now because my parents are snake-sitting while we move, but you can kinda see the measurements of the whole thing in the 2nd pic. They are awkward dimensions.
Each shelf measured out to almost the exact floor space of a 20 gal long aquarium.

[Kels88]

Each shelf is about 29.5" by 11.5" and a 20 gal long floor is 30" by 12"

[EsotericForest]

Hmm...*eyes up his bookshelf* that's the same one I have...yet I have foolishly put books on it instead of snakes. Perhaps I will rethink that ;)

Very nicely done :)

[Kels88]

Good call :)

[Cattsy]

Hmmm how did you engeneer the flexwatt in there? Looks interesting!

[Kels88]

Cattsy- Each floor is covered in plexi (for easy clean-up). At one end, the plexi is "raised" to create a little chamber. The flexwatt slides in through a slit in the pegboard at the back of the shelf. Then hubby sealed around the whole thing on the inside with silicone. The 3 strips of flexwatt (one on ea. shelf) are wired together in the back and run through a homemade rheostat (made from a light dimmer). There is a digital thermometer on top of the shelf with a probe run through a hole in the pegboard and taped to the plexi over the heat tape (I used weak scotch tape so in case a snake gets it loose it can't get stuck and hurt itself- they haven't managed to get it loose yet).
Does that explain it?

[Cattsy]

Cool! what a neat idea :)

[Kels88]

Oh, and something I didn't mention. We keep a thin "curtain" (you can see it rolled up in the 1st pic) hanging over the shelf for much of the day. The snakes seem to prefer it and feel safer because they come out of their hides much more often. That's how I managed to get a picture of the 3 of them out at once!

[nivek5225]

I like this! I'm trying to build something very similiar!! How thick of plexi did you use for the doors and flexwatt chamber?

[MysticExotics]

That's a great idea!! Thanks for sharing!
Please post pics of the next one you make too :)

[Kels88]

Plexi thickness? I totally don't remember. Sorry. I know we didn't buy the extra-thick stuff. I think we got whichever thickness they had the most sizes in...
The doors are definitely flexible, but with only one half of the tank front opening and the size of the snakes, escapes aren't a concern. I definitely wouldn't put hatchlings in there though.

[j33p3rz]

That is a great Idea.Awesome job.

[chris68]

I can design stuff like that I'm just not quite so handy unfortunately. Very nice, please keep posting if and when you build more. Neat, convenient and looks good too :cheers:

[proileri]

Looking good there, especially the flexwatt chamber :)

If you want to make it look fancier, you could always add wooden frames around each box!