Fist time build...

[Crying_Bird]

Starting the build for an enclosure for Tiamat, Going for a 4x2x2 but I am over whelmed with what the best materials are to use…

Melamine is affordable, but does it really hold up? Does it need to be sealed? Or just the seams?

Should I use high grade furniture plywood? Paint and seal? What paints and sealants are safe? Or contact paper and seal?

Heating sources?! ( this im really stumped on ) I have always used tanks with under tank heat pads and lights/ceramic.

I know there are tons of posts on all this but I have gone through so much and my brain just hurts 

[Crying_Bird]

I just realized i totally put this in the wrong place :(

[FWK]

Lots of ways to go about it. I'm using 3/4 Birch plywood sealed with Minwax water based polyurethane and using flexwat for heat. I based my builds on a thread here on the forum you can find here (http://www.ssnakess.com/forums/general-enclosure-discussion/84968-diy-wood-cage-build-guide.html).

[Kera]

I have a custom, homemade melamine tank that a friend gave to me for free, I have no idea how old it is but it holds up very well. As for heat, CHE's are nice if you go for an overhead heat, but many people recommend Flexwatt heat tape or radiant heat panels. It's all basically personal preference, though. Best of luck. :)

[aaron_cg]

Heres my 2 cents...

Go PVC. XPVC (Expanded PVC) is awesome. Lightweight, and durable. Will last forever if put together and treated right. Downfall, is it is a bit more expensive. In my opinion, worth it.

As far as heating goes, what kind of snake? I assume it is a BCI/BCC. In that case, I would go with flexwatt heat tape, or a big heatpad hooked to a thermostat. Up to yu though, but my BCI seems to be less stressed now that he is on belly heat, and not an RHP.

Just my 2 cents. Best of luck though. I have used melamine in the past and it does hold up well. Make sure to seal your edges both inside and out. A drop of water gets under the protective layer, and it swells. Do it right, and there is no issue, other than the over weight of the enclosure.

[Kera]

True what Aaron said about the weight. Pain in the a** to move, even on wheels lol.

[Crying_Bird]

Thanks so much for your replies everyone :)

Can I paint melemine? I can only seem to find white in size of sheets I will need. Obviously I would paint and seal it.

I will probably use CHE for top heat as its just so easy to deal with.

As for belly heat, ( this might sound really dumb ) Where dose the heat tape go... like.. under the substrate or.. in a compartment.. or...o.O Like i said before i have only used under tank heaters..

[franks]

Hey- what's the update? How are you doing with your build?

[Crying_Bird]

Been away for a long time, School got a bit over whelming.
The build has been on hold but i have been collecting everything needed.
Tiamat is still happy and healthy and growing! in her currant enclosure, but with this growth it is apparent i need to hurry up and get this new cage built.

My original plan was to do 4 feet long X 2 feet wide X 2 feet tall .. but now that i look at that planned out it seems very small...
I can get birch play wood panels at 4 feet by 8 feet which would be so simple... but now im thinking i should go bigger... Maybe 5 x 2.5 x 2.5...
Ideas? Would a 4x2x2 be big enough?
Currently size wise "she" (unknown really) is aprox 6 years old and about 5-6 feet.