Homebuilt cage

[Adrian]

Hi all,I have some concern about the advice for enclosures. Reacently i
visited a shop/breeder in GTA and casually
mentioned i planned to build a large enclosure (L55xH25xW28 inchs) out of
non-treated wood from, for example, Home depot. However, they informed me that
soft wood pine and many of the sort that produce sap would be poisonous and
would kill most snakes and most likely harm any lizards. I would likely paint it as well if it was safe, perhaps a latex sort. Im just looking for some informed
opinions as i want to build one and i have the plans all together but now
confused as to what to make it from, or what would be safer. They said maybe
hardwood but given these dimentions it would be an incredibly heavy
weight and cost-ineffective then. I see much discussion on Melamine but doesn't it wear out over time? I plan to make the front solid glass with an open top
that i would screen off, as well as a removable climbing wall for the back part
with mortar or a simmilar tile adhesive. In any event you may want to note this
information if it is in fact true that wood can actually harm the reptilians. Any feedback/ experience is appreciated! Thanks~

[Gary D.]

Standard spruce plywood is perfectly acceptable. What ever you heard is more likely a line to sell you something off of his shelf. The softwood oils thing is quite a point of contention, and at that the discussion is in usually refrence to substrait. This is the first time I've heard it used about caging. No matter what, there will be some possibly toxic component in virtually every building product used since mud. Plastics contain chemicals, melamine is sawdust and glue. It's all about harmful concentrarions. Unless you're building out of cedar I don't think you've got anything to worry about.

[snakers55]

Melamine is trash.. I would go with plywood or something,and coat it with epoxy. It will last forever, and water will not harm it at all, I have enclosures done this way holding water (largest right now is 4X2 and about a foot deep.

[beardieguy]

All my cages are melimine and I have rubber coating the bottom on them. I have had a bci for 7 years in it and it is still holding up to this day.

[Adrian]

Right on! thanks fellas, I think i'll go with the plywood and epoxy coating, although black melamine would definately look more slick... and, since im not keeping water in it.... hmmm much to consider here! hahahaa. its gonna be used for my beardie heiarchy for now and eventually later down the road (when i get one) an Argentine black and white tegu hatchling, until it outgrows and i'll need a bigger one! An ackei monitor sounds sweet too! and no, their not all gonna be in 1 tank!

Thanks again for the help!