Enclosure ideas/questions

[Flatheadhunter3]

Im doing some brain storming on an enclosure I want to do but need some advice please.

-I want to do this enclosure using wood. Are there certain types of wood that I should stay away from?

-I would imagine that this wood needs to be sealed to prevent rot and so forth. Are there sealants that I need to stay away from?

-I know that this might get some folks upset (dont mean to start a fight here), I want to house two ball pythons (eventually) in the same enclosure. Im thinking that the enclosure will be approx. 6ft in length, 3ft in width and about 1.5ft in height. All of these measurments are subject to change. The question is how do you heat this type of space? For heating pads, I was wondering if I need more than one? Is one sufficient for more than one snake? I had a heating pad that was placed underneath my old glass tank...but for wood, do you place the heat pad underneath also? Or does it get placed inside under the substrate?

-The enclosure will have a glass front. I was thinking about cutting a hole slighty smaller than the diameter of the heat lamp (w/ceramic bulb) in the top on the same end and above the heat pad. Is this good or bad?

I will have more questions later Im sure so I really appreciate all input.

[Raycarpetpython]

As far as timber goes for the enclosure, I would suggest using white melamine (not sure if it's called something different in the US though). As far as I know it won't be harmful and it is sealed to prevent moisture getting through, although not bullet proof. It's what I'm thinking of making my new enclosure out of, unless anyone can see any particularly bad reasons why not to use it.

[shaunyboy]

i use only ceramics to heat my tanks (with the exception of my diamond python).i put the bulb on the furthest right side,centre of the tank top. (thats my hot end). i put the thermostat probe (heat sensor) dead centre of the back of tank.this will allow a temperature graidient the full legth of the tank.there is no need for mats at all if you have a ceramic.i have had no dealings with ball pythons but i know with carpet pythons theres something in the oils in pine wood that is poisoness to them.there will be plenty ball python guys read your post.i'm sure they will help you with your choice of wood.a lot of people on the forum are against keeping 2 snakes in one tank.i am not one off them,i have my bredl's kept as a bonded pair in the same tank (this is my personal prefference).i have had no trouble in all the years they've been together.you must feed them seperatley.i feed one in a tub out the tank,the other gets fed in the tank.i give them both turns to be fed outside the tank,week about.then 5 minutes after they both finish the food item i put them back together.i have had no problems in heating my tanks the way ive described to you mate.i hope this is all of some use to you.feel free to get in touch if i can be of anymore help to you.
cheers shaun

[shaunyboy]

As far as timber goes for the enclosure, I would suggest using white melamine (not sure if it's called something different in the US though). As far as I know it won't be harmful and it is sealed to prevent moisture getting through, although not bullet proof. It's what I'm thinking of making my new enclosure out of, unless anyone can see any particularly bad reasons why not to use it.

melamine is what most of the shop bought wooden tanks in the uk are made of.they last quite well and are sturdy enough (last 10years plus).imo the wood ones are great for the job,the only problems with them is they fall to pieces quite quickly (3 to 5 years) if you have a high humidity snake in them.they soak up the water if your misting the tanks on a daily basis.you get more expensive hard plastic tanks that are said to last 25 years plus.they can take as much water as you can throw at them,they are made by herptec but are very expensive.you should do just fine using wood to keep ball pythons in.
cheers shaun

[fflamingmoe]

You can use rolls of linoleum and seal it with with non toxic caulking.;)

[fflamingmoe]

If your frame of the cage is in the inside you can also use liquid cement by rolling it on with a roller and it's a good wood sealer.:)

[Flatheadhunter3]

Thanks for all the input everyone! I mainly went with the idea of wood because everyone on here seems to be highly against the use of glass?

[Raycarpetpython]

Thanks for all the input everyone! I mainly went with the idea of wood because everyone on here seems to be highly against the use of glass?

glass doesn't hold humidity and heat as well as timber

[fflamingmoe]

You can buy polycarbonate panels from a green house manufacturer and they sell them cheep too.Call Canadian green Houses they may be abble to help.:yes: