Question concerning wooden dowls.

[adam2373]

I'm using wooden dowls in my Vision Cage for my Emerald. I've been told to seal the dowls, what sealent is safe to use for the snake. Something that can be bought at say Home Depot or Lowes. Also those that use dowls and closet rod hangers how do you keep the dowls from rolling. Currently I just have a piece of plastic wedged in there.

[BOA68]

I also have wooden dowels in my enclosure. Mine is for an ATB there is a pic of it posted in a thread i started. People say that Polyurithane is fine, but i found a water based sealant called Polycrylic. It is basically the same as Polyurithane and made my Minwax, just water based. It has very little fumes when wet and none when dry and it works great. I just screwed my dowels in from the outside of the tank, but idk if that would work with the Vision.

[coolhl7]

nothing comes in contact to my ETBs but natural wood branches, preferably driftwood....I would never seal them with any chemical.

[BOA68]

It can't hurt the snake. Its perfectly safe. Do some research on it.

[JonD]

Unsealed dowels are fine to use, it's just they will eventually get mould on them if the air circulation is low in the enclosure. Then they should be replaced. At a couple bux each it really doesn't matter!!

[CraigC]

Also those that use dowls and closet rod hangers how do you keep the dowls from rolling. Currently I just have a piece of plastic wedged in there.

You can use PVC "slip" end caps. They need to be about the size if the dowel or slightly smaller. They have to be flat on the end so the will sit flush with the inside wall of the enclosure. You can make them like a spring lock or cut them, drill a hole and use a stainless or brass screw on the dowel that drops into the hole to prevent rolling. I'll have to take some pics to show you what I mean. I am changing all our perches to burnt pvc. Looks and feels like wood and you don't have to worry whether or not you sealed it well. Easy to clean too.
CraigC

[adam2373]

Thanks all who comented but once again I've changed my mind, I'm going with Craigs idea of the burnt pvc. I just picked up a torch and a length of pvc. Wish me luck not to get to high on the fumes, lol.