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Babyproofing ventilation holes ideas?

albertagirl

albertagirl

Sharan
Happy boxing day!

Does anyone have any thoughts on how I could safely and securely hatchling-proof my big stacking cages? The only problem that I can see is that the ventilation holes are big enough for even my 6 month old hatchlings to easily slide right through. It seems like it's going to be forever before I can put my babies in there, but the little cages they're in right now are starting to look a little tight, and I don't want to have to buy an intermediate size if I can avoid it. Ideas??

I'll try to take pictures later, but the ventilation holes are probably about a quarter inch by 4 inches or something along those lines. And then there are three or 4 of them on each side.

Thanks!
 
I'm not sure what you've got there for home improvement stores but at the ones here, you can buy variously sized mesh, some of it would be tight enough for a baby. Then just some how tack a square of that mesh over the vents in the cage? That's what I would probably try first, although not sure how I'd go about securing it, probably use a glue gun?
 
Securing it is the issue. I know not to use tape of any kind... a glue gun might be a good idea. I bet I know someone who could lend me theirs for a day.

Any advice on choosing a type of mesh? I don't want anything that can tear or that will have sharp edges. Would you go for metal, or more like a netting or window screen type of mesh?

And would you glue it onto the inside or the outside of the cage? outside will look nicer, but I'm betting inside would be more secure?
 
Just a personal opinion here, I'd go for fabric, if there's a curtain store near you ask if they have any of the solid look net curtains and ask for a a very small amount, or even scraps.

If you have the ventilation hole things where you can pass wires through also, where they kinda clip into the hole, it could be worth as an idea, taking out the ventilation idea, wrapping the netting over the front, and letting it overlap the edges, so the edges of the netting get pinned behind the ventilation thing... saves gluing it all in place.
 
I like the fabric idea. I would use plastic mesh over metal, but make sure whatever you use does not stretch or they might be able to get through it.
 
picture added

Understandably the worst picture ever. But hopefully enough to give the idea. This is my 30g (largest) hatchling, held up against one of the vents in question. Hopefully it gives an idea of the size and shape of vents we're talking about, in case that changes anyone's ideas of what might work.

How big do they need to grow before they can't squeeze through these holes? Twice the width? Bigger?

Thanks for all the ideas so far! I think I'm going to try screen mesh, like used in windows, and a glue gun. Hopefully that will hold securely, but still be removeable in future with a little scraping.

vents.jpg
 
A possible temp fix that can easily be reversed is industrial velcro. If you have or know anyone with a sewing machine capable of stitching through dense velcro like that, then you could safely use pet security screen found in the window screening sections of home improvent stores like Lowes or Home Depot (not sure what the wintry white north has up there). The velcro has an adhesive backing that would be easily removeable once the snakes are large enough to no longer squeeze through the vents.

I briefly glanced through the thread so I'm not recalling what the cage is made of but this option may or may not work. Same may apply to hot glue or silicone. If you try silicone and screen, start with 100% rubberized silicone. It is fairly safe, with curing off-gas being simply acetic acid (vinegar). Give it at least a week to cure while in a well ventilated room.
 
I had the same issue. I used steel screen cut to size and placed on the outside of the rack. I framed the screen with aluminum tape so there were no sharp edges and to give it a clean appearance (even though it was on the back of the tank). Its worked out for almost 2 years with no issues. I can upload a picture when I get home later, if you would like

-braingarble
 
braingarble said:
I had the same issue. I used steel screen cut to size and placed on the outside of the rack. I framed the screen with aluminum tape so there were no sharp edges and to give it a clean appearance (even though it was on the back of the tank). Its worked out for almost 2 years with no issues. I can upload a picture when I get home later, if you would like

-braingarble
Click to expand...

Yes please!! That would be great. Thank you! :santa:
 
The craft plastic canvas stuff might be an even better screen , it is stiff, and plastic and cut edges can be melt/rounded with a flame.. It comes with different sized holes and should give great air flow.. http://www.everythingplasticcanvas.com/ultra-stiff-canvas-7-mesh-12-x-18-mrp-p20056.aspx?k2=y2c260

You can get it at many craft supply stores (Joanns, Michaels, Hancocks, etc) I worry about metal screens because some of them have coatings on them (like zinc ) and possible tiny sharp edges that I can't feel but might abrade the snakes's nose if they rub along it..

You should be able to use glue, or velcro, or any of the other attachement methods with it.

Nancy
 
Thanks Nancy. I'm so glad I asked. You guys have a bunch of ideas I hadn't thought of!

I can't wait to get these guys in the big cages!! Of course then I'll have empty baby cages, and everyone knows what kind of trouble that leads to! :p
 
Finally got around to it.

Okay, so I finally got around to attempting to close these ventilation holes up, and setting up the heat tape, and have moved the two biggest babies in. Here's the final product, all ventilation holes now look like this from the outside (back). I only hope they aren't able to deform the screen enough to get between the screen and the back of the cage. That would suck!

20150221_194040.jpg

Notice also the little feet I got to allow a small air gap for the heat tape as suggested. :)

Then I ran the heat tape until I got it adjusted to exactly the temperature I wanted, added a bunch of greenery and hiding places, as well as the hides they are familiar with, and put Ripley and Relic in! As they get bigger and more comfortable I will slowly remove some of the excess decoration so I can see them a little better, but for now their comfort is more important. I'm so excited to finally have snakes in these cages! :crazy02:

Ripley.jpg
Relic.jpg
rip_rel.jpg
 
Notice the little red mushroom with the snake made out of miniature tiles going across it. My friend's daughter made that for my snakes for christmas... and when looking for Ripley, I actually thought that was her on the mushroom for a minute! LOL. I love it.
 
Wow, that's gotta be snake paradise -There's a zillion hiding spots!! It looks great!

Can you tell me a bit more about those cages? They look interesting. Where are they from? What are they made of?
 
Yes, suprisingly, I have so far been able to find them without having to look too hard. They are still using the hides they are familiar with. Once they get more comfortable in there, I'm sure it will be nice long game of hide and seek trying to find them! But I wanted to make sure they wouldn't be any more stressed than necessary being moved into bigger cages in a busier room where suddenly the dogs aren't kept behind a baby gate anymore.

The cages themselves are made out of PVC. Um, I can't remember if it's 1/2" or 1/4" but it's solid! The windows and doors are acrylic. I got them from Cornel's World, in Calgary Alberta. They are 3' x 2' x 14". I like them a lot so far.
 
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