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Ballchris
03-20-15, 12:17 AM
Ok guys as many of u know I have a new retic, he's gonna get big real quick and I am going to start looking into building a enclosure for him. Preferably wood what kind of wood should I use what kind of sealants are safe for snakes to guard against humidity, Im decent with a saw so i know I can do this i'm gonna have my dad help me with it though I gonna go ahead and build it big and build dividers to ease stress on the little big guy. Im thinking front dual sliding doors with locks of course I have kids don't need them being like oooo cool snake lol. what do you guys prefer to make it water tight in the seams of the the cage for the accidental spill. The only place I can find a viv big enough for him full grown is Animal plastics and it just not tall enough for my liking. Also heating a cage of this size ideas, Im probably looking at heat tape for this and a herpastat 4.

millertime89
03-20-15, 01:48 AM
Heat tape doesn't work well with wood enclosures. If you're making a wood cage, a radiant heat panel is the way to go IMO. Second choice is a ceramic heat emitter (it's a bulb that puts off heat but no light). As far as the type of wood/sealant to use I can't help you there apart from saying make that it is aquarium safe (should say on the container. Sliding doors is the way to go IMO.

Tsubaki
03-20-15, 05:58 AM
I would go for epoxy resin to seal wood, i have tried many types of sealant but nothing ever worked as good as epoxy. And RPH's are definitely the way to go, ceramic is also an option but they get really hot to the touch.

reptiledude987
03-20-15, 03:19 PM
After looking at tsubaki's diy thread I'd follow his methods to the letter theyre beautiful setups.

Tsubaki
03-20-15, 03:24 PM
After looking at tsubaki's diy thread I'd follow her methods to the letter theyre beautiful setups.

Sorry i felt compelled.. ! Coulnd't help myself.
But thank you!

pet_snake_78
03-20-15, 08:44 PM
Seems like RHP is not as efficient as heat tape, though? The main reason I hate enclosures versus tubs so much is I have to run THG really hot to penetrate through even plastics. With tubs I am only losing a few degrees from the actual heat tape temps. So RHP costs more to buy and then costs more to run. Granted with 4 or 5 animals there may not be much difference but the more animals we are talking, it just seems to get a little out of hand.

FWK
03-20-15, 10:15 PM
Check out this thread. (http://www.ssnakess.com/forums/general-enclosure-discussion/84968-diy-wood-cage-build-guide.html) Solves the heat tape issue by putting it inside the enclosure but still completely sealed off under linoleum flooring. I've built a few enclosures using this design. I seal the wood with Minwax water based polyurethane and all the edges with silicone. Simple and easy but you can make it as elaborate as you want.

Ballchris
03-20-15, 10:27 PM
Sorry i felt compelled.. ! Coulnd't help myself.
But thank you!


Could I get a link to your thread thank you in advance.

Tsubaki
03-21-15, 05:25 AM
Sure, this is Part one (http://www.ssnakess.com/forums/general-enclosure-discussion/104166-my-diy-snakeroom-work-progress.html) of my snake room building. Part two is currently also a thing, it's about making fake rock walls into the tubs. Part 3 will be construction of a very large retic terrarium in the same style (But thats not due for a while).

David VB
03-21-15, 05:39 AM
Seems like RHP is not as efficient as heat tape, though? The main reason I hate enclosures versus tubs so much is I have to run THG really hot to penetrate through even plastics. With tubs I am only losing a few degrees from the actual heat tape temps. So RHP costs more to buy and then costs more to run. Granted with 4 or 5 animals there may not be much difference but the more animals we are talking, it just seems to get a little out of hand.

What about the ability for your snakes to move around and have some decent space? I think their wellfare come before the cost of electricity when you're in this hobby, no?

jossh27
03-21-15, 07:01 AM
When i hear tubs i automatically think of storage totes are we all on the same page here?

Ballchris
03-21-15, 04:23 PM
I don't care about electricity I have to pay for it anyway so why not use it, my babies human and cold blooded come first. And thank you for the links.

Ballchris
03-21-15, 04:24 PM
That's why I'm building a encloser I want him to have plenty of room to move. So he stretch out even when he not out of his cage.

Ballchris
04-13-15, 05:11 PM
ok guys i have a few ont he odds and ends of my new enclosure, I have my polycarbonate dor my sliding doors, and i have the size of this cage i have done some measuring its gonna be 10x4x4 so he will have plenty of room to move stretch and all of the other fun things snakes do this is for my retic he is growing up SO fast. i have the locks, 120watt heat panel going to get a herpastat, tons of fake tropical pants and a couple of hides, now my question is what kinda wood is safe for snakes i know pine is bad is there any other kinds to stay away from, I am building this so he can stay close to me it will look like a piece of furniture when its all said and done im just to proud of him to have him hidden away by NO means is he a "good conversation piece" cant stand people that by anaimals like this for just that reason he is like another child to me.
here are my plans for the encloser:
1. feeding door on the top of the cage for feeding so he doesn't associate the front doors with feeding time.
2.it will be locked as it will be in a main part of my house not huge traffic are but still and only i will have the key.
3.stained to match my other furniture.
4. big enough so he will be able to really grow the cage is 10x4x4 i may go 10x4x3 i dont know i have a 16ft wall that me and my wife have decided on that he can live and be part of the family.
5. and finally all the heating will be radiant heat panels from reptile basics on a herpastat and led lighting for viewing. i like reptile basics heat panels because the animal cannot get hurt due to touching the hot surface. thats what they claim. :)

any other tips are appreciated.

pet_snake_78
04-13-15, 09:30 PM
I've spent a lot of time looking at wood at lowe's and home depot and most of the cheap stuff is warped in one way or another. I'd pay the extra for a hardwood plywood like oak. Even then you'll have to pick through the stack and if you need lots you may have to hit more than one store to find enough quality pieces. The other thing I've found is that procrylic takes a lot of coats to make a smooth layer, I just finished a piece of wood and it really didn't have a good finish that would be easy to wipe down until the 5th coat. I'd be tempted to try spar urethane next time even though it's not water based and see if that develops a useable coat sooner. As you're planning to keep the snake around for a long time, you might want to finish off the floor and lower walls with an epoxy made for bar tops. That will ensure it's easily cleaned and lasts for a very long time. I've never used the stuff myself but I've seen wood that had it applied and it's a nice finish for sure.

Ballchris
04-13-15, 10:40 PM
ill be staining the wood as well as sealing it anyone have anything good to say about the stain that has the sealer in it? and gonna get a already sanded plywood.

millertime89
04-14-15, 03:54 AM
Kiln dried pine is ok as long as it's sealed and stained. The oils are baked off in the kiln. That said, you can order plastic pretty cheaply online so that's the route I would take. You might be able to find a supplier near you that will cut it for you as well. Some Home Depots have started carrying it, but it's kinda thin (1/8th in) and fairly pricey.

reptiledude987
04-14-15, 01:22 PM
HDPE Sheets / Puck Board / Starboard - Greyco Products (http://www.greycoproducts.com/hdpe-sheets)

Check out this link I'm going to be ordering a few sheets form them for some custom builds as well

Ballchris
04-14-15, 02:18 PM
Im afraid of sagging with a cage this size with no frame to support that's why I going with plywood.

dave himself
04-14-15, 02:45 PM
Sorry i felt compelled.. ! Coulnd't help myself.
But thank you!

Why does everyone think your a man :D ?

dave himself
04-14-15, 02:48 PM
Quick question ? Can I ask why people prefer the heat panel's, to the ceramic please

reptiledude987
04-14-15, 04:26 PM
Quick question ? Can I ask why people prefer the heat panel's, to the ceramic please
I prefer heat pannels on larger enclosures because the heats more spread out as opposed to a concentrated spot with the che. I do use the che for smaller vivs tho

reptiledude987
04-14-15, 04:27 PM
Im afraid of sagging with a cage this size with no frame to support that's why I going with plywood.
If you do a frame around the front where the opening is these puckboard sheets are really strong and are available up to 1/2" thick. They make for very solid cages.

SnoopySnake
04-14-15, 04:44 PM
Quick question ? Can I ask why people prefer the heat panel's, to the ceramic please

What reptiledude said, and i also prefer the because, while they're uncomfortable to touch, they don't get hot enough to burn you/snake. Although I'm not sure if that goes for all RHP's.

Ballchris
04-14-15, 05:27 PM
wouldnt ceramic kill the humidity as well, and could possibly burn the animal?

reptiledude987
04-14-15, 05:30 PM
ceramic is more likely to burn them which is why if its inside the viv the cage over the ballast is a must. Fro the most part I find both have the same impact on the humidity. If anythinh the che drys it a bit more because the intense heat on that one area but this is just my own personal speculation on that part.

Ballchris
04-14-15, 05:39 PM
ok I have another question I wanna do sliding polycarbonate doors as it is damn near indestructible, But my cage is 10x4x4 for plenty of room for my big guy to grow and enjoy were and how do I go about getting or building runners for the doors the size of thickness for the glass is 1/4 thick.

reptiledude987
04-14-15, 06:01 PM
I've never made a sliding door that big myself but the tracks I usually get are from home depot. If you cant find a trach wide enough you may want to consider hinged doors. They can also be easier to get difficult giants thru as well.

Pirarucu
04-14-15, 06:12 PM
For what it's worth, sliding doors on a cage that side will be a pain if you don't do it right. The first and most important step would be not using the tracks that the glass fits down into, which are normally used for smaller cages. For such a big window, pushing the glass back and forth to open and close that door will suck.
You'll need to get the tracks that use rollers instead. A rail sticks up from the bottom of the door, and a runner with wheels inside is attached to the bottom of the glass. Then the glass rolls back and forth on the rails.
http://www.cabinetmakerssupply.com/images_products/glass_door_track_assembly_cabinet_supply_3341thu.j pg


On a separate note, if you're building a massive cage, why not make it taller? Retics are excellent climbers and will use the space even as adults, unless you keep them far too fat. I've seen a few retic cages eight feet tall, and the snakes use every bit of it.
Here's a few videos of wild retics:
Reticulated python video - Python reticulatus - 00 | ARKive (http://www.arkive.org/reticulated-python/python-reticulatus/video-00.html)

Ballchris
04-14-15, 06:18 PM
For what it's worth, sliding doors on a cage that side will be a pain if you don't do it right. The first and most important step would be not using the tracks that the glass fits down into, which are normally used for smaller cages. For such a big window, pushing the glass back and forth to open and close that door will suck.
You'll need to get the tracks that use rollers instead. A rail sticks up from the bottom of the door, and a runner with wheels inside is attached to the bottom of the glass. Then the glass rolls back and forth on the rails.
http://www.cabinetmakerssupply.com/images_products/glass_door_track_assembly_cabinet_supply_3341thu.j pg


On a separate note, if you're building a massive cage, why not make it taller? Retics are excellent climbers and will use the space even as adults, unless you keep them far too fat. I've seen a few retic cages eight feet tall, and the snakes use every bit of it.
Here's a few videos of wild retics:
Reticulated python video - Python reticulatus - 00 | ARKive (http://www.arkive.org/reticulated-python/python-reticulatus/video-00.html)

were can I get these tracks with rollers? never seen them before, thanks for the input on them.

pet_snake_78
04-14-15, 07:29 PM
The pvc at home depot is incredibly flimsy and around 1/2". My local one started carrying a second brand for 72$ for a 4x8 which is slightly less flimsy but not by a whole lot. I think it would sag if it had to hold more than a mug of water to be honest.

Ballchris
04-14-15, 10:20 PM
Ok so hypothetically say I was thinking of just getting the animal plastics T70 96Lx36Dx24H, which radiant heat panel would I need to go with with my wood enclosure i was thinking the 120w but for this one IDK?

dave himself
04-14-15, 10:31 PM
Thanks for the answers on the rhp Vrs the che guys, and sorry Ballchris for the the small thread hijack :)

Ballchris
04-14-15, 11:28 PM
its all good Im obsessed with snakes I love caring for them they really help with my anxiety. I have severe anxiety problems and animal care can honestly almost 100% goaway.

pet_snake_78
04-15-15, 06:55 PM
Look on reptile basics page, I am pretty sure they give you guidelines on which size RHP to buy. Aps cages are pretty sturdy, I've had mine for a couple of years and it's been great.

Ballchris
04-16-15, 01:52 AM
alrighty thanks for the info pet snake

pet_snake_78
04-18-15, 07:36 PM
No problem, shoot reptile basics an email if you have concerns about RHP size. I asked some questions before buying mine and they were very helpful.