Question for Melamine enclosures

red_tail_ale · 01-20-12, 12:40 AM

So, I'm building an enclosure for my growing RTB. It'll accomadate her up to 12ft, but I'm doing what I can do make it comfortable at her current 4.5ft.

I'm planning to build everything out of melamine, even the perch and build-in hides.

I have a few questions for others who have melamine enclosures...

-Does standard melamine need to be treated? If so, what is the best non-toxic treatment?
-Does melamine deteriorate quickly under hot/humid conditions?
-What is the best caulk/sealant for the edges?
-Is there any risk of chemicals in the melamine becoming toxic for the snake?
-How well can standard melamine retain heat (belly-heat for the basking spot?)

Also, if anybody can suggest a better alternative to melamine, I'd love to hear it.

I've used cypress mulch as substrate and have had great results- I plan to continue using it for her large enclosure. (Don't worry, already planned a substrate dam).

dshin963 · 01-20-12, 02:34 AM

Okay sooo I am researching melamine for my enclosures and racks and the thing you need to know is this stuff is basically particle board with paper on it to make it look white.. Ever step on damp plywood? Fall through? Same thing will happen... From what I have read I plan on clear coating all of my melamine with an epoxy of some sort still havent decided what yet... Then siliconing all the corners and edges and for heating my plan was to have flexwatt in the enclosure with plexiglass screwed on top of it into the wood and again siliconing all the edges and drill holes..

KORBIN5895 · 01-20-12, 06:48 AM

The outer coatings on melamine is actually a fire resistant plastic. So as far as the outer layer goes it is fine for heat and humidity. I don't think you would need to seal anything but your joints and edges. Now the glued particle layer IS very susceptible to moisture so make sure there are no unsealed cracks or gouges. I myself am seriously toying with building melamine vivs as I am looking at buying a breeding group of boas.

Gungirl · 01-20-12, 06:55 AM

Why Melamine and not a basic plywood? I think plywood is easier to work with and seals better. I would use a poly-acrylic or whey based sealer to treat whatever you use after it is built. I use Polywhey Natural Floor Finish on everything I build It is a natural whey based sealer.

Also you say you are building hides.. are you going to attach them to the viv itself? If so I would advise against doing that. You will want to be able to remove hides for easy cleaning and also when your RTB gets to be full size it will need different size hides than it does now.

As far as retaining heat that depends on how you want to heat it. If you use an RHP Melamine would be ok but I think plywood would still be better.

mykee · 01-20-12, 10:05 AM

-Does standard melamine need to be treated? If so, what is the best non-toxic treatment? No
-Does melamine deteriorate quickly under hot/humid conditions? YES.
-What is the best caulk/sealant for the edges? Marine-grade, water based.
-Is there any risk of chemicals in the melamine becoming toxic for the snake? No.
-How well can standard melamine retain heat (belly-heat for the basking spot?) Very well.

Lankyrob · 01-20-12, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mykee

-Does standard melamine need to be treated? If so, what is the best non-toxic treatment? No
-Does melamine deteriorate quickly under hot/humid conditions? YES.But only if the humidity/heat permeates into the interior of the melamine, if it is sealed correctly it should last years

-What is the best caulk/sealant for the edges? Marine-grade, water based.
-Is there any risk of chemicals in the melamine becoming toxic for the snake? No.
-How well can standard melamine retain heat (belly-heat for the basking spot?) Very well.

Just adding my $0.03

mykee · 01-20-12, 11:05 AM

I'm going to add my $0.04 and add:
there are two types of melamine, one is a heavy paint product that is applied and one is an actual sheet of plastic layed over pressed board. Look for the second type. You can tell the good one by using a fingernail and prying up a corner to see if it is a plastic layer instead of paint.

DeesBalls · 01-20-12, 12:33 PM

I just made 5 cages out of the meamine that mykee was talking about... Sealed it with clear sealer and put belly heat with flex watt.

Covered the flex watt with plexi, so tba no water can get in. And all electrical is out of the back of the cage, they hold heat awesome!!! And humidity. ( my smaller ones ) my 4x2x2 I'm having troubles with humidity for my brb, ...

dshin963 · 01-20-12, 04:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mykee

I'm going to add my $0.04 and add:
there are two types of melamine, one is a heavy paint product that is applied and one is an actual sheet of plastic layed over pressed board. Look for the second type. You can tell the good one by using a fingernail and prying up a corner to see if it is a plastic layer instead of paint.

That would be marine grade melamine no? doesn't this stuff go for around 70 dollars a sheet?

exwizard · 01-20-12, 04:58 PM

I just get my racks from Animal Plastics so Idk anything about how to make one but I do find this thread to be an interesting read.

red_tail_ale · 01-20-12, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gungirl

Why Melamine and not a basic plywood? I think plywood is easier to work with and seals better. I would use a poly-acrylic or whey based sealer to treat whatever you use after it is built. I use Polywhey Natural Floor Finish on everything I build It is a natural whey based sealer.

Also you say you are building hides.. are you going to attach them to the viv itself? If so I would advise against doing that. You will want to be able to remove hides for easy cleaning and also when your RTB gets to be full size it will need different size hides than it does now.

As far as retaining heat that depends on how you want to heat it. If you use an RHP Melamine would be ok but I think plywood would still be better.

I'd always been concerned about certain chemicals that may be in both plywood and the types of sealants. Also, I'd heard melamine is easier to clean. But I am impressed by the enclosures you've built and posted around. If it makes the snake comfortable and safe, I'm all for it.

As for the hides, I intended to build one on the hot side and one on the cold side, both of which could be unlocked and opened for cleaning purposes. Until then I'd planned to place smaller hides inside so she'd feel secure, then have them empty for when she's fully grown. I've gone through a lot of trial and error in the design process, but am open to suggestions

Gungirl · 01-21-12, 01:09 AM

Thanks for the compliments!

I used maple plywood on all my vivs and with the Whey based sealer and epoxy bottom my snake will NEVER be affected by any chemicals.

I have seen people build many things with high quality melamine and I am just not a fan of the strength and quality of it. The kind Mykee noted with the plastic layer is good but for the less than the cost of that you can get a high quality wood. Why go fake when you can get real?

mykee · 01-21-12, 10:01 AM

Dan; nope, $39.99 for a 4' X 8' sheet at Rona.

DeesBalls · 01-21-12, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mykee

Dan; nope, $39.99 for a 4' X 8' sheet at Rona.

this is what i paid for mine at Home Depot... and i got my 16'' x 8' for only $15.

beardeds4life · 01-21-12, 10:56 AM

if you are building cages go with plywood it is cheaper will last longer its easier to work with its nicer looking all you have to do is seal it and it will withstand heat and humidity better than melamine