melamine

[seann]

Does melamine mold easily? can it take humidity? or water spills ect.

[Invictus]

Melamine will not mold at all, but it can't take humidity or water spills. I've had to repair several cages because of water spills.

[seann]

Thanks Invictus
what's the best type of wood to choose for an enclosure?
would Melamine be the best?

[Bartman]

Its the best because its slightly water proof and cheep. You also dont have to seel it. I think thats why its the most popular.

I built two cages with it, and I find it great personally. Im building another large cabinet thing for the reps, and so far so good...its just taking sooooo long :)

[Matt_K]

Originally posted by Bartman
Its the best because its slightly water proof and cheep. You also dont have to seel it. I think thats why its the most popular.

An unsealed cage won't last very long... You HAVE to seal melamine cages...

-Matt

[Kyle Barker]

melamine is teh easiest best for its price in my opinion. my favorite are teh thicker plastic laminates, but cost a bit and requires a bit more work. also lots of colours/patters available.

very cool sig matt, catchy and so right :)

[shaggybill]

Why do you have to seal melamine? Can you not just screw the sides together?

[Matt_K]

Without sealing your cages, water can seep into the 'cracks' where the cage is screwed together.. The exposed cuts will suck up all the water and expand and you'll find yourself having to change that piece of melamine...

[Ptindy]

Plastic!!!

[Kyle Barker]

that happens with floors sometimes. not melamine but that particle board that melamine uses. its put under hardwood floors often when there is concrete below. then somthing like the washing mashine leaks or somthing and you got these mountains in your floor. very expensive and long process to repair. just silicon any hole and joint and you should be good untill the tubs ware throught the platic film.

[seann]

thanks i am definatly going to seal it.

[snakers55]

I use plywood painted with Bar-Rust (like epoxy) so it's completely waterproof after you silicone the edges.

[seann]

If i have a light bulb at the top how much space would i need around the light bulb incase of fire hazards or burning?

[Kyle Barker]

what type of light? assuming flouro? the light its self not much but have holes above it to let heat escape. personally i find lights in racks to be a pain. the easiest is investing in leds or somthing, much safer...but more $. also rope lights work good as well. if its jsut snakes and nocturnal type lizards (ie leopards) than ropes would work great, and is probably the cheapest most hassel free way.

[Phrasty]

Hey Matt_K I think he might have meant seal the whole thing with polyurathane, not just sealing the seams with silicone.

you dont have to "varnish" the entire enc. but you DO have to seal ALL the seams with silicone or aquarium sealer like Matt said.

Phrasty

[sapphire_moon]

Well you could always use some kind of wood, and put a thin piece of plexi glass over it (screw it in then put aquarium sealent ontop of the screw) then put the cage together, then put aquarium sealent on the seams.

Would this work?

[Kyle Barker]

it would but plastic laminate is WAY better for that. it is really teh best material i can think of for this purpous. teh only reason its not used all teh time is price. i made a half assed post on how to do it here a long time ago. if theres interest i can write it out again better and put the pics up.

jus tto give you the idea, this is the stuff counter tops are made from. think about the knives, heat, banging etc they take...and obviously completely water proof. i personally liek to use plywood under but you can use anything. OSB kind of sucks cause its lumpy, and smooth is definatly a good thing with this product!

[Linds]

If you want to build your own cages, I recommend going with a plywood and sealing it with epoxy. Will give you a completely waterproof (yes, you can even use it to make wooden aquariums and ponds), tough-as-nails, non-toxic (used in pharmaceutical and food applications) finish. That's what I've used in the past and it's worked great, and actually worked out to be cheaper than if I had gone with a urethane-type finish.

[Kyle Barker]

ya epoxy is sweet. i dont enjoy using resins but it is the best probably. i like putting things in it liek leaves and such, give it some charectar.

[seann]

awsome thanks Linds and Kyle I'll go with what Linds says instead of Melamine

[lucky8926]

Linds or Kyle where can I get epoxy?

[Linds]

I get mine at Niagara Protective Coatings. You can get it at any place that specializes in protective coatings, and you should be able to pick up some at any marine place as well. Just check your yellow pages for the nearest one ;)

[lucky8926]

maybe I should've mentioned this, I live in the U.S. have you ever heard of lowes or home depot? If so would they have it?