? On First RTB Enclosure

[Kron]

Was just curious on your thoughts about building a 4' x 2' x 2' melamine enclosure for a baby ?...I mean size wise I have the room for 6' x 2' x 2' easy but would it be just unnecessary room to heat and stress it out by making it that big to begin with. I'm looking at heating with rhp and using led's for lighting.

[Lankyrob]

Bigger the better, give plenty of cover and the baby will love it. I put all my snakes into adult cages from hatchlings and they were all really active.

[Teal]

As long as you provide plenty of hides and a definite basking spot, I don't think a larger enclosure from the start is not a problem.

An RTB is definitely going to utilize all the space given, if the one I had many many years ago was any indication of how active they are. He was in a 6x2x2 and covered every square inch of it every night, just cruising around before settling into the spot where he slept (:

[Kron]

Thanks for the input...I'll just plan on using the space I have to make it bigger from the start. I got a large greeting card display stand from a retail store going out of business for next to nothing to make an entertainment center out of. Hard to describe, maybe I can post a pic later.

[franks]

I would avoid the malamine. It does not handle humidity too great and if it scratches or chips (which it does easily) Water and dampness will do a number on it. I don't know what you are planning, but both 3/4" and 1/2" sanded plywood can be bought for around $30-$35. You can stain it seal it and it is much easier to work with. My 2 cents.

Edit: I also think it looks much nicer and it is mostly natural. I don't think melamine will harm your animals but it's made of all chemicals one of which includes arsenic.

[Kron]

I'm looking at a month atleast before i purchase my snake, so you may have steered me in the staining direction. I know the guys at the local lumber yard well enough I think they'll even rip my plywood to size for nothing on the panel saw.

I love the look of wood with clear or blonde stain, but with such a light color it may seem unnatural. What do you think ?

[SnoopySnake]

I would agree with franks about using sanded plywood instead, for all of the reasons he listed. I also think that if you have room for the 6x2x2 then you should go for it. It won't be too much space for a baby as long as you use plenty of hides and cover, and provide plenty of branches to climb on. In the long run, it may also be cheaper to go with the 6x2x2 because eventually, if you end up with a 6 or 8 ft snake, you may end up wanting to switch to something bigger than a 4x2x2. Also I think a blonde stain would look nice. :p

[franks]

Take a 1/2" off each of the 6x2x2 dimensions and you can build the entire thing out of one sheet on plywood.

[Kron]

I think your missing 1 -6' piece...bottom, top , back....im lookin at 2 sheets anyway right ?...with extra left anyway for a ledge,hides and spill lip for front

[franks]

You are right sir. Don't tell my guys they would never let me live that down

[Kron]

I know nothing man....lol

[Kron]

Checking on the price of oak and birch plywoods and glass and plexi in a little and also the poly. I think the price of nice plywood has gone up again though.

[natsirtremraf]

Just some food for thought, I am considering building 6x2x2 enclosures as well. If you get 3 sheets of plywood you can make 2 :P

[Kron]

Has anyone used sanded pine plywood ?..I know the affects of pine mulch and such with respiratory systems, but if you put a few coats of polyurethane on it...I don't see the harm. I guess its just hard for me to justify the price of birch or oak furniture grade plywood.