Instructions

L-Shape Cage - Instructions

2024-10-25T19:19:35-05:00

Constructing your L-Shape Cage!

$$PHOTOGALLERY35782$$

$$PHOTOGALLERY35783$$

PLEASE NOTE: You will need to use a ruler to make sure any marks and cuts that are made are consistent, ensuring the Coro will lay flat and not warp or buckle.

BUILDING THE EXTENSION

Step 1

Modifying your existing Cage & Stand:

Remove 3 Standard Grids from the front wall of the Cage and Stand where you've decided to install the 2x2 Extension.
The END connector between the Cage and the Stand will remain the same. The following 2 connectors that the Standard Grids were using will need to be flipped so that the FLAT side is facing UP. Note: cutting all zip-ties around these two connectors will make removing them easier. Replace all cut zip-ties after flipping.
Take 1 of the Tall-Half Grids, and insert into the open connector where the third Standard Grid was. Zip-Tie the Tall-Half Grid to the cage, the other end will be "floating".

$$PHOTOGALLERY35784$$

Step 2

Building the Extension Stand:

Using 10 Standard Grids and 12 connectors, build the Extension Stand by constructing a typical 2x2 Stand, omitting the last two vertical Standard Grids, as the horizontal floor will fit into the connectors you just flipped.

$$PHOTOGALLERY35785$$

Step 3

Attaching Extension Stand:

Place the unfinished end of the Extension Stand horizontally into the corner connector and the two connectors that were flipped, and vertically into the corner bottom Cage Stand connector, as shown in photos.
Zip-tie the Extension Stand to the Cage Stand and Base.

$$PHOTOGALLERY35786$$

Step 4

Building the Extension Cage:

Starting at the back wall, using 5 the Standard Grids and connectors build the Extension Cage. Zip-tie all the grids together and to the stand as you go. You should be left with one open space at the corner of the "L" shape
Take the last Tall-Half Grid and inset into the last open connector, and zip-tie the two Tall-Half Grids together over the flat corner connector. This creates the wall portion of your Dropdown Wall.

$$PHOTOGALLERY35787$$

Step 5

DropDown Wall:

Using the two Tall-Half Grids as your wall, the "Dropdown" will be made with the 2 Short-Half Grids.
Zip-tie a Short-Half Grid to the Tall-Half Grid 2 grid squares down from the top at each end. Using a Clip to hold the Short-Half Grid in place while zip-tying makes this step super easy.
Repeat this process with the remaining Short-Half Grid. To keep the Dropdown Wall closed, use Clips as shown to attach to Standard Grid.

$$PHOTOGALLERY35788$$

Step 6

Extension Coro:

Taking the Wide Loft Uncut Coro Base (Extension Coro), use the rivets and put together all the sides except for one, which will fold down into the cage. As seen in Step 7, we used binder clips to hold the un-riveted side together, you can use tape just make sure you can easily remove it.
Place the Extension Coro into the Extension Cage.

Step 7

Marking Cage Base Coro for Modification:

This mark indicates where the base will be scored and cut to allow the Extension overlap into the Cage Base.

When placing the Extension in preparation for marking where to cut the Cage Base, make sure the back wall of the Extension Coro is lined up with the inner of the walls of the Cage Coro, as shown in photos. This will allow the walls of the Extension to lay inside the cut made in the Cage Base without rubbing.
Once the back wall of the Extension is lined up correctly, move to the corner where the Cage and Extension come together. From here mark on the outside of the Cage Base Coro where the edge of the connector meets the Base. Refer to photos.

$$PHOTOGALLERY35789$$

Step 8

Cutting the Coro Wall:

Remove the Coro Base and from the cage and remove the rivets that hold up the marked wall of the base.
Use a ruler or flat edge to extend the mark you just made up the wall.
Score over that line with an X-acto Knife, razor to score and then finish up cutting through with scissors if needed. ONLY the wall needs to be cut.
Put the rivets back into the Base, except for the corner that will fold down to allow access for the Extension.
Place the Base back into the Cage, with the cut portion of the wall folded down toward the Extension. Remove the clips or tape holding the Extension Wall and lay over top of the wall from the Base.

$$PHOTOGALLERY35790$$

Step 9

Modifying the Extension Flap:

When the Extension is placed, notice the corner flap on the Extension sticks out past the corner of the Cage Base. You will need to score the OUTSIDE of this corner flap in order for it to fold backwards towards the wall.
To do this, push the wall of the base in to be as vertical as possible, and then mark where the wall of the Coro Base meets the flap of the Extension.
Take out the Extension Coro, and where you’ve marked, take a ruler/flat edge and extend the mark down the flap. Again, keeping the line as straight as possible. Then follow your line and using the X-acto knife or razor score the OUTSIDE of the flap where it was marked.
It seems counter intuitive, but having the smooth edge on the inside ensures that your guinea pigs will never encounter the rough scored edge of the Coro. Before putting it back in the cage, you’ll push the scored flap together folding it in half.

$$PHOTOGALLERY35791$$

Step 10

Attaching Extension and Cage Base Coro:

Place the Extension back into the cage, and bend the flap backwards towards the wall. Using clear packing tape, you’ll tape the flap flat against the wall.
Continuing with the tape, you’ll need to tape over where ever the Extension meets the Cage Base Coro, as shown in photos. PLEASE NOTE, you will need to tape over the punched holes on the floor as well.

$$PHOTOGALLERY35792$$

NEED COVERS?

CAGETOPIA Covers and Components:

PLEASE NOTE the Extension Cover (Wide Loft Cover) could require modifications depending on your needs. If full coverage is needed, it's recommended that you assemble the Wide Loft Cover as originally instructed and modify with the instructions after Step 3.

(1) Large 2x4 Flip Fold Cover - ##PRICEOF[ID=78]## or appropriate cover to your cage size.
(6) Standard Grids - ##PRICEOF[ID=34]##
(1) Wonderbar - ##PRICEOF[ID=43]##
(1) Pack of Cable Ties - ##PRICEOF[ID=36]##
(1) Pack of 1.25" Clear Hinges - ##PRICEOF[ID=737]## (to attach to cage or Wonderbar for further security to tent your cage)
(2) Tall-Half Grids - ##PRICEOF[ID=560]## each (these will replace the Short-Half Grids on the Dropdown Wall)

Step 1

Dropdown Wall Modifications to support Covers:

Replace Short Half-Grids with Tall Half-Grids on Flip Down Wall. This ensures the wall will be high enough that the Wonderbars will sit evenly across the Extension to support the weight of the cover.

$$PHOTOGALLERY35776$$

Step 2

Wonderbar Placement:

Place Wonderbars on top of the Cage Grids. Aim to keep the Wonderbars around 1.5 - 2 grid holes in from the edge. You can also use the clear hinges on the cage grids to help keep the Wonderbars from shifting around if you move the covers often.

$$PHOTOGALLERY35793$$

Step 3

Main Cage Cover:

Assemble Large 2x4 Cage Cover as per instructions, there are no modifications needed.
Attach Large Cover to the Large Cage Base with zip-ties as usual.

$$PHOTOGALLERY35778$$

MODIFYING THE WIDE LOFT COVER FOR EXTENSION COVER

Step 4

If you already have a Wide Loft Cover assembled, clip all the zip-ties, from the cage and from the Standard Grids to start from scratch.
If you don't already have a Wide Loft Cover, this is when you’ll need the extra 6 Standard Grids and zip-ties.

$$PHOTOGALLERY35779$$

Step 5

Place 2 Standard Grids side by side, and the third grid will overlap overtop of the 2 Standard Grids. Essentially, you’re following the same construction of a Wide Loft Cover, but you’re eliminating the 2 grid holes worth of spacing between the Standard Grids. Please refer to photos for COMPARISON.
This creates the back portion of the cover that attaches to the back of the cage. If you wish for more coverage, you can always leave one grid hole spacing between the Grids.

$$PHOTOGALLERY35794$$

Step 6

Again place 2 Standard Grids next to each other, and the third grid will overlap them and SHIFT ONE GRID SQUARE DOWN. Refer to photos. By shifting one grid square down, it creates a handle to fold the cover back.

$$PHOTOGALLERY35795$$

Step 7

Zip-tie the two sections together as shown and then zip-tie to the back wall of the cage.

$$PHOTOGALLERY35796$$

Gateway to Play - Instructions

2024-10-02T20:58:05-05:00

Constructing your Gateway to Play!

$$PHOTOGALLERY35782$$

$$PHOTOGALLERY35783$$

Before starting, please note that the diagonal tie method is used to connect as many grids together as possible. This keeps the grids stable and less likely to shift around.

ALSO NOTE: we find it extremely helpful when attaching the zip-ties to leave them a little loose and then tighten them as you go. It helps immensely when trying to line the grids up.

BUILDING THE STRUCTURE

Step 1

The Back Wall:

Take one Ledge Grid, and three Standard Grids. Place the Ledge Grid on the left with the larger end flat against the ground and the smaller end facing up on the left.
Line the three Standard Grids next to the large flat edge of the Ledge Grid. Zip-Tie all the grids together and cut off excess.

$$PHOTOGALLERY35765$$

Step 2

Support for Landing:

Using 2 Ledge Grids, the first Ledge Grid will lay with the larger side flat against the floor. The second Ledge Grid will lay with the short side flat against the floor next to the larger end, as shown in the photo. Then zip-tie together.

$$PHOTOGALLERY35766$$

Step 3

Standing Structure:

Stand up the back wall by folding the ends on the back wall in toward the center to form a 90 degree angle.
Stand up the support Ledge Grids from Step 2 (the LARGER end of the Ledge Grid support structure FACING OUT and the shorter end of the Ledge Grid support structure facing in toward the back wall). See photos for placement.

$$PHOTOGALLERY35767$$

Step 4

Landing Platform:

Using a Portal Grid (the opening needs to face you on the RIGHT-hand side) place the Portal grid on top of the Ledge Grid Support Structure and on top of the Standard Girds that create the back right corner of the back wall. Please reference photos.
Use Binder Clips to keep the Portal Grid in place while you Zip-tie to the Back Wall and the Support. This needs to be sturdy, reinforce corners as needed so there's little movement as possible.

$$PHOTOGALLERY35768$$

Step 5

Ramp Support Wall:

Take a Ledge Grid and a Portal Grid, lay the Ledge Grid down just like in Step 1, larger side down and smaller side facing up on the left.
Take the Portal Grid, the portal opening will be turned AWAY from you and on the upper LEFT-hand side, and lay next to the large edge of the Ledge Grid. Zip-tie the two together.

$$PHOTOGALLERY35769$$

Step 6

Connecting Structure and Ramp Support Wall:

Lay the Standing Structure down along its back wall. Take the Ramp Support Wall and lay it above the structure, lining up Ledge Grids and Portal Grid to the Standard Grid. See photos for reference.
Zip-tie the Structure and the Ramp Support Wall together and stand the whole structure up.

$$PHOTOGALLERY35770$$

Step 7

Safety Walls:

Next take 3 Short-Half Grids and 1 Wide Mini Grid (these will act as safety walls for the Landing Platform). The 3 Short-Half Grids will be zip-tied along the back wall, the right wall, and the front wall.
The Wide Mini Grid will be zip-tied to the Short-Half Grid in the front, leaving a gap in between itself and the back wall. See photos for reference.

$$PHOTOGALLERY35771$$

Step 8

Ramp Support:

Taking the last Ledge Grid and Wide Mini Grid, overlap the Wide Mini Grid ontop of the Ledge Grid by 2 grid squares with the short side of the Ledge Grid facing you.
Loosely zip-tie the two together.

$$PHOTOGALLERY35772$$

Step 9

Attaching Ramp Support to Structure:

Attach the Mini Grid from the ramp support about 4 grid squares down on the top Ledge Grid next to the Portal Grid on the structure and loosely zip-tie to the Ledge Grid.
Make sure the Ledge Grid of the Ramp Support is around 1.5 to 2 grid squares in from the edge of the Landing Platform.
Zip-tie the Ramp Support to the back wall of the structure DO NOT zip-tie the ramp to the FLOOR of the Landing Platform, but instead the Wide Mini Grid safety wall. See Photos for reference.

$$PHOTOGALLERY35773$$

Step 10

Ramp Safety Wall:

Taking the Skinny Grid, line it right on top of the short edge of the Ledge Grid of the Ramp Support and zip-tie to the Ramp Support Ledge Grid, the Ledge Grid from the Structure, and the Wide Mini Grid safety wall. See photos for assistance.
Please check the stability of the Ramp Support and Structure with a little shake and some pressure. If you find any weak points, reinforce them with more zip-ties.

$$PHOTOGALLERY35774$$

D.I.Y. Ramps

Step 11

Creating the Mini Ramp:

Starting with the first Reinforced Ramp, cut off the ramp flap at the top of the ramp and save the ramp hooks for later.
Measure the length of the Ramp Support all the way down to where it hits on the Landing Platform. This is the length you’ll need to cut the ramp and carpet to. PLEASE NOTE, you may need to remove one of the wires inside the ramp to make this cut. You’ll need to use something sturdy to be able to PUSH the wire through and out the other side enough to take hold and pull the wire out.
After cutting the ramp and carpet, place Ramp Hooks inside the coroplast slots in Reinforced Ramp and place the ramp on the Ramp Support. ALSO NOTE, save the piece of carpet that was cut off, you’ll need that later!

$$PHOTOGALLERY35775$$

Step 12

Next, to cut a portal into the wall of the ramp use a pen or marker to mark on the ramp wall where the Portal Grid opening ends.
Carefully use razor, scissors or Coro Claw to cut the ramp wall off and create the opening. Using scissors, round the edges of the ramp walls and to trim the edging of the ramp wall to fit the new size.

$$PHOTOGALLERY35776$$

Step 13

Large Reinforced Ramp:

Install ramp hooks in the ramp flap as usual and place ramp on Landing Platform. Using a pen or marker, mark where the outside of the LEFT wall of the ramp meets the floor of the Platform.
Remove the ramp from the platform, and score the INSIDE of the ramp as shown using your marks from the floor as a guide. You can cut that portion of the wall clean off. We are showing a scored version in case you ever wanted to reuse the ramp in another location. Trim the edging of the ramp to fit the new length of the wall.
Insert the ramp back onto the Landing Platform and tape down the scored flap to the grids of the Landing Platform.

$$PHOTOGALLERY35777$$

Step 14

Coroplast Landing Platform:

To create the Coroplast Landing Platform floor, measure a 13.75” x 13.75” square of Coro. Using your extra Portal Grid, trace the outline of the portal opening and cut the portal into the Coro or cardboard. (PLEASE make sure you cut the portal opening into the correct position of the Landing floor)
Slip the coro into place on top of the Landing Platform and UNDER the ramp support (which is why the Ramp Support is not zip-tied to the floor of the Landing Floor). See photos for reference.

$$PHOTOGALLERY35778$$

Attaching Gateway to Play to your Cage on a Stand

Step 15

Before attaching the structure to the cage, you will need to replace one of the Standard Grids of the cage with your last Portal Grid. The Portal grid will need to be placed with the portal opening on the LEFT and FACING UP. Zip-tie to Standard Grids of the Cage.
Move the Gateway to Play Structure to the Portal Grid in the cage, the two Portal Grids should match up in the UPPER LEFT hand corner. Use a Velcro Strip or Binder Clip on the corner with the two Portal Grid ends to attach the structure to the Cage.
Note, because of the connectors at the foot of the Cage Stand the Structure will not be completely flush against the cage. You can Binder Clip the Landing Platform walls to the cage as well. Refer to photos.

$$PHOTOGALLERY35779$$

Step 16

Taking the Reinforced ramp carpet that you cut off earlier, you’ll use that as the “bridge” from the Structure to the Piggy Perch or Porch, etc. TAPE the carpet down and then cover with fleece.
Please note, if you're connecting the Gateway to Play to a Patio, you will need to cut a portal hole into the coroplast of the wall of the Patio as well.

$$PHOTOGALLERY35780$$

Duplex Living Instructions

2022-10-04T15:37:49-05:00

Recreating the Duplex Living setup

You will receive instructions for setting up each cage separately. But this setup requires a partial stand to support the offset and is a custom build as shown below.

Be sure to start assembly from the BOTTOM-UP as some perimeter connectors between the levels are shared and turned on their edge to accept the next level's grids. (Don't start assembling the 2x5 cage to go on top -- it must be assembled in place on the stand using the shared connectors.)

First, make the perimeter of the 2x4 Large Cage (note the connector positions in the next image -- notice the top two connectors on the back right are on their edge):

Then, build out the attached stand as shown below. Please pay special attention to the omitted grid placements shown below as well as the connector positions.

Finish off the upper level per normal cage assembly, but you will use the EDGE slot of the connectors on the lower perimeter connectors. Connectors are SHARED between levels.

And note the special treatment of the referenced connector below. This is due to connectors not being able to connect in all 8 directions.