Bookcase Cage

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Cavy Crazy

Cavy Crazy

Junior Guinea Pig
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Hi so after some advice on my last thread I have decided to convert a bookcase into a Guinea pig cage. I'm going to Belfast to Ikea on Tuesday and really that's the only time I can get up as it's 2 1/2 hours awaya and won't be going again. I want to turn it on itms back and I'd like it off the floor and to put it on two lack tables. Would this work? This is the bookcase that I'm thinking on BILLY Bookcase, white - 80x28x202 cm - IKEA thanks for any replies.
 
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What are u planning to do with the shelves? It would be cool to possibly remove them and rearrange them into some sort of maze/obstacle course with some hay bags strewn about in random spots...
 
That looks pretty cool too! Maybe try that, but hang onto the extra shelves so in future u can insert them temporarily from time to time just for a change of pace for them? Keep them on their toes...
 
If I can fit that bookcase in the car on Tuesday I'll get it haha if not I'll have to get one locally in Argos. It's a bit smaller(60cm x 180cm) I don't know how to waterproof the bookcase or prepare it yet I can't find much info online.
 
Idk the policies for IKEA in Europe but I know that in the US if your purchase adds up to a certain amount they may include free delivery.
 
I'll check that out If it doesn't fit argos will have to do even though it's more expensive it's an ok size which is good. Do you have any idea if Lack tables are strong enough to support it? I was thinking one on each end but I'm concerned it will sag in the middle.
 
I've used lack tables a lot, especially once striking out on my own as a young adult looking for something functional, well built, and affordable for my home. I would say they're strong enough, yes, but maybe find some double-sided adhesive pads to secure the cage on top of them because the surface can be somewhat slick and you don't want a good-natured zooming/popcorning episode to end in catastrophe.
 
Thank you that's great I hope they're tall enough my rabbit is always trying to get to the piggies pelletbowl haha. There is a bit of an overhang with the bookcase on the lack table maybe I should go for a more narrow one? The lack table is 55cm wide and the bookcase is 80cm wide.
 
If there is an overhang I would definitely make sure to secure the bookcase to the tables somehow in case it gets bumped somehow, but it shouldn't be too much of an issue structurally. If the store u end up purchasing from has a more slender option that would probably be ideal, but with just a 25 cm difference, it shouldn't be to precarious.
 
And possibly place it so that the overhang is facing the wall so that the front of the cage is the most secure side of it and less likely to get messed with, or try it so that the overhang is equally balanced on each side
 
I made this one earlier in the year ( currently unoccupied) from an ikea expediat cube unit. Its about 5 ft long and I put it on casters so I can move it arround the lounge. It was ok for my two older pigs who didnt move much bt at only 40cm deep its is too narrow really. Ideally you could link two back to back to double the width......but it would still be limited a bit by the dividers. I put a 6" pipe connector between the areas and a dedicated hay room downstairs. The basket contains all thier bits and bobs
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@HansPiggies that is amazing! How did you waterproof it? What did you have to do to make it more useable or is it ok as is? My diy skills are dreadful lol. @Vandamf That's class Only problem is the expedit's are quite expensive and I'm on a budget lol I'm hoping to get the Detolf for my sister's hamster(technically hers but she doesn't take care of it so now in my room) it would be handy to put the detolf on top.
 
If there's an overhang, it will not work unless you put a piece of plywood to support the cage. The back of Billy bookcase is made from a thin, wobbly piece of wood. It won't be able to support the cage when you put it on top of the Lack table. To make it work without the plywood, the edges have to line up.
 
If I got the bigger lack tables the £14 ones) then there would be no overhang. There would be a huge gap in the middle,same as wit lack tables would it sag without plywood?
 
They are all in correx trays so waterproofing ok. The expedit was on offer at £30 and the grids I had already. Used cable clips for the hinges and butterflys to close them. You can see more tips on ikea hackers web site. Theres a very big one made out of lack tables which are about £7 to £12 each from memory
 
The side lack tables are only £5 each which is great. I'd prefer not to use correx as it's very expensive near me (€45 for an 8 x 4 sheet) grids work out at about €60 for 20 for me. I'm trying to keep it as cheap as possible that's why I'm thinking bookcase.
 
Cavy Crazy said:
Hi so after some advice on my last thread I have decided to convert a bookcase into a Guinea pig cage. I'm going to Belfast to Ikea on Tuesday and really that's the only time I can get up as it's 2 1/2 hours awaya and won't be going again. I want to turn it on itms back and I'd like it off the floor and to put it on two lack tables. Would this work? This is the bookcase that I'm thinking on BILLY Bookcase, white - 80x28x202 cm - IKEA thanks for any replies.
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You may need to get two and push them back to back for a suitable depth, but it has worked in the past for other members.
 
Ok thank you. Hope I can fit it in the car now! Should I put Lino on the base? How should I seal the gaps to make it waterproof? Correx isn't an option unfortunately.
 
Cavy Crazy said:
Ok thank you. Hope I can fit it in the car now! Should I put Lino on the base? How should I seal the gaps to make it waterproof? Correx isn't an option unfortunately.
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I think someone used waterproof bathroom sealant ... but not sure.. i think @Kerrie74 found something for hers ?
 
Not the best solution but I use plastic baby mats from poundland at the bottom of my cage. They are meant to be used under baby chairs so it's easier to clean up the mess but they work really well in a cage! :) I just put towels and fleece on top, it keeps the wooden bottom of the cage dry.
 
I'll have a look in Dealz never heard of them before worth a try though
 
Kino or stick on floor tiles would waterproof it.I am making a cage from an Ikea wardrobe and am lining with Kino then putting stick on tiles on the sides
 
I'd love to see pics when you're finished. I'm worried I won't get the bookcase in the car as I have a small car. I'll get something in Argos if I can't.
 
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