polyethylene and wood enclosure

jossh27 · 04-20-15, 03:31 PM

hello everyone!

im extremely close now to start up my custom built cage. originally i was just going to try and get a hold of some pvc sheets and make one, but that proved to be expensive so i bailed out on it and decided to use wood.

i have the opportunity to get some cheap, thin polyethylene sheets... i was wondering if i lined the entire inside of my wooden cage with it and silicone the corners and edges if that would be enough to restrain humidity from messing with the wood. im trying to avoid sealing the wood, as it takes time to dry and multiple coats. this way will also make cleaning and sterilizing the cage easier

josh

reptiledude987 · 04-20-15, 03:39 PM

The silicone should seal it fine as long as youve got a good bead of silicone on the seam and there are no gaps. The biggest thing is going to be that you use a high quality of silicone as the cheaper stuff wont last long. That being said It will take more time and effort but you may be better off using a sealer on the wood as it will last much longer and leaves a really nice finish.

jossh27 · 04-20-15, 04:30 PM

aquarium silicone is what i would use. people hold water in aquariums for years and years without a issue, so im hoping that would be enough. another reason i want to go with the plastic and not just wood is insulation, as it will hold warmth better, no?

jarich · 04-20-15, 04:46 PM

I suppose the plastic would also add another layer of insulation, yes. Aquarium sealant will work great. Yes, what you are talking about with the FRP will work just fine. Its a little more bulletproof than sealing as you dont have to worry if you have good coverage everywhere. Having said that I still generally use the epoxy resin as I just find it easier. I think its one of those things that is just up to what the person finds easiest.

jossh27 · 04-20-15, 07:27 PM

im sorry, i don't know what FRP is.

jarich · 04-20-15, 09:34 PM

Oh sorry, you meant actual poly sheets, like Tivar (HDPE)? My bad, I thought you were talking about fibre reinforced plastic (FRP). Same in theory, you just have a little higher end type of plastic. Classy

pet_snake_78 · 04-20-15, 10:51 PM

I suppose it could work since people have done MDF with contact paper. Personally, I'd still be worried about moisture getting trapped behind it and the wood absorbing humidity, though. I think I'd just seal the wood. Some people do a bar top epoxy kit if they want a super good finish on the wood, other people seem fine with procrylic or polyurethane. I've done the procrylic and the only downside I see is it takes about 5 coats to get a good seal that would be smooth and easy to wipe down.

I looked into PVC, too. The stuff available for cheap was flimsy junk. The stuff that's not flimsy junk doesn't seem terribly efficient at transferring heat via heat tape, at least not when compared to tubs, so I've yet to find any enclosure that seems superior to tubs. There is a way to combine the benefits of tubs with the looks of enclosures though DIY Cage Kits – Inexpensive housing for small animals | Snake Caging | Lizard Caging | Frog Caging | Mammal Caging is a great idea. Looks like it would be pretty easy to make your own from wood or plastics either one.

reptiledude987 · 04-21-15, 11:44 AM

These guys have pvc for a great deal and its solid.

HDPE Sheets / Puck Board / Starboard - Greyco Products

jossh27 · 04-26-15, 02:21 PM

The listed prices on that site are for full pallet orders. Not sure what makes up a full pallet, but its more than i would need. lol. Group order anyone? Haha

Anyways wood it is with a laminate,or tiled floor. Going to try heat tape instead of expensive heat pads

reptiledude987 · 04-28-15, 06:35 PM

On that site when you place an order theres a $50 charge for less than a skid which is still worth it IMO. No idea how many come on a skid once I start my carpentry apprenticeship Ill prob order a skid because I'll be building custom vivs on the side.

pet_snake_78 · 04-30-15, 07:11 AM

I think the heat tape will be OK heating through laminate as long as it's not real thick material, haven't tried it, but believe it should work the only downside is there won't be any of the recommended air flow around the tape but I don't have that really under my tubs either and so far, so good. It will not heat through wood. The other option is an RHP.

jossh27 · 05-02-15, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pet_snake_78

I think the heat tape will be OK heating through laminate as long as it's not real thick material, haven't tried it, but believe it should work the only downside is there won't be any of the recommended air flow around the tape but I don't have that really under my tubs either and so far, so good. It will not heat through wood. The other option is an RHP.

I've thought about rhp but i find its unnecessary to use with land dwelling reptiles. I didn't know heat tape needs airflow... But since this it's a custom build im sure i can make something like a false floor to provide the necessary airflow

pet_snake_78 · 05-03-15, 08:54 AM

I'm not really sure if it needs airflow, it's suggested that it does but in practice I don't see it getting any airflow in racks anyway. A recessed grove with a tub on top of it 99% of the time doesn't seem like airflow to me and many people have done the laminate thing, so I'm not sure I'd be too worried about it. Heat tape would seem more energy efficient and cause less humidity loss than an RHP, but don't use RHPs so that's just a gut instinct.