C&C: Attaching grids, taping Coroplast

[Autonerd]

Hi all -- Just got the materials for my first C&C cage. Two questions:

First, I was going to use both the plastic connectors and zip ties to secure the panels. Looking at the galleries, I see several people not using the connectors, just zip ties. I am concerned about rigidity of the bottom of the cage... what's the argument for using only zips vs both?

Second, I'll be folding up my cage bottom tray out of coroplast. I was going to leave "flaps" (like a cardboard box) and plastic rivets to secure them, but the rivets I was looking at don't work the way I thought they did -- they aren't flush. What are my best alternatives? Tape? Punching holes and using zip ties? Can we use some sort of heavy-duty stapler?

BTW, if one of the moderators wants to add it to the where-to-get-coroplast wiki, here in the US I found 4x8 sheets at The Home Depot for around $20.

Thanks
Aaron

 

[KathT]

I use connectors to give my cages a firm base and back them up with zip ties - particularly on loft areas. Many people don’t use them but I find it makes the whole thing sturdier. I cut and score my coroplast before folding then use duct tape to stick the folds down on the outside. Document binders along the top and any edge within nibbling distance should prevent gnawing - they are masters of coroplast chewing!

 

[stef.trg]

We have connectors on the part the loft sits on and on the top of the loft, for the rest we only have zip ties. We do have a coroplast base inside the cage and then we made a coroplast tray the whole cage sits in - we only did that because we‘re lifting in onto a table for cleaning once a week though; it‘s easier that way. I wouldn’t say there‘s much difference in rigidity, especially because the coroplast base is quite rigid so the grids can’t really go anywhere as long as they‘re zip tied together properly

For the flaps we‘ve got one that’s taped and one that uses zip ties; both work perfectly. I probably wouldn’t use staples since piggies are old chewers and you don’t want them to hurt themselves.

I hope this helps!

 

[rp1993]

We use zip ties and the connectors I do find the connectors do help on making it more sturdy. As for taping down the flats we just used strong Duct tape and it has held fine!

 

[anyar.dris]

I use connectors (top and bottom) but not zip ties coz I disassemble them (not one by one) whenever I do full clean since I don't use correx and the fleece goes directly on the floor. It is more sturdy since one side of my C&C is to the wall.

 

[Autonerd]

Thank you everyone!