Colombian Boa enclosure pics, and help needed!!

[J.Monaghen]

I have my enclosure 90% built. It will be for my female BCI.
It is made of 5/8" B/C grade plywood. 1" x 1" structural pieces for adding strength to the exterior. It has the following dimensions:

44" tall
30" deep
60" wide
(its still rough, not sanded or coated yet)
http://home.cfl.rr.com/baad46/jpgs/enclfront1.jpg

The doors (1/2" Lexan) will be mounted on tracks (if UPS ever decides to show up :rolleyes: ) with a center slide lock. It has a 10" elevated stand, which will allow for storage or heating elements(to keep off the tile floors).

I have several question that I need help with...

What sealant/covering can I use on the inside walls of the enclosure, that is non-toxic and visually appealing? I will probably be tiling the floor with a sealed-slate stone tile, and silicone adhesive. Also, can the wood enclosure use UTH, such as the heat tape, in between the tile and the wood, or use under the wood bottom?

Is aquarium sealant sufficient for the seams all around the walls?

The enclosure will have one vent each side. And the decision of the CHE on top has not been made yet. This will be a terrarium setting, with plants and decor.

The ourside of the enclosure is going to be sanded and stained with a water based polyurethane, for looks of course.

Here is the few other pics. Please offer any help you can!!!!

http://home.cfl.rr.com/baad46/jpgs/enclfront2.jpg
http://home.cfl.rr.com/baad46/jpgs/enclside.jpg

Thanks Mucho!
joe

[Linds]

Wow...that's gonna make a very happy boa!! :D

For a finish, you can use a water-based polyurethane for a natural look, or if you want solid colour marine enamel can work quite well :)

Aquarium sealent aka 100% silicone is perfect for sealing off the edges. Difference between aquarium sealent and 100% silicone is simply a price hike ;)

[J.Monaghen]

Thanks Linds. I already have a good amount of aquarium sealant, and really just need to find a namebrand polyurethane for the sealing. Something that is environmentally friendly(snake also!) seems hard to find at HomeDepot or Lowes.

Is Varathane (Rust-O-Leum brand) polyurethane any good. Has anyone used it for snake enclosures.

I am thinking of tiling the entire inside, and using some rock-wall tiles for the interior walls. Already got the Flexwatt 11" tape for UTH element. Rope lighting for around the top. Going to get my fogger unit today for an aesthetically pleasing way of raising humidity in the enclosure.

After all is said and done, I might be able to charge admission to see this enclosure. Hope it turns out as well as I planned!

Joe

P.S. This is the single girl that is going in the new enclosure.(freshly shed!)...
http://home.cfl.rr.com/baad46/jpgs/delilah1.jpg
http://home.cfl.rr.com/baad46/jpgs/delilah2.jpg