Constructing your L-Shape Cage!
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".
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Step 7
- Zip-tie the two sections together as shown and then zip-tie to the back wall of the cage.