Building a new encloser

Ballchris · 03-20-15, 12:17 AM

Ok guys as many of u know I have a new retic, he's gonna get big real quick and I am going to start looking into building a enclosure for him. Preferably wood what kind of wood should I use what kind of sealants are safe for snakes to guard against humidity, Im decent with a saw so i know I can do this i'm gonna have my dad help me with it though I gonna go ahead and build it big and build dividers to ease stress on the little big guy. Im thinking front dual sliding doors with locks of course I have kids don't need them being like oooo cool snake lol. what do you guys prefer to make it water tight in the seams of the the cage for the accidental spill. The only place I can find a viv big enough for him full grown is Animal plastics and it just not tall enough for my liking. Also heating a cage of this size ideas, Im probably looking at heat tape for this and a herpastat 4.

**millertime89** · 03-20-15, 01:48 AM

Heat tape doesn't work well with wood enclosures. If you're making a wood cage, a radiant heat panel is the way to go IMO. Second choice is a ceramic heat emitter (it's a bulb that puts off heat but no light). As far as the type of wood/sealant to use I can't help you there apart from saying make that it is aquarium safe (should say on the container. Sliding doors is the way to go IMO.

**Tsubaki** · 03-20-15, 05:58 AM

I would go for epoxy resin to seal wood, i have tried many types of sealant but nothing ever worked as good as epoxy. And RPH's are definitely the way to go, ceramic is also an option but they get really hot to the touch.

reptiledude987 · 03-20-15, 03:19 PM

After looking at tsubaki's diy thread I'd follow his methods to the letter theyre beautiful setups.

**Tsubaki** · 03-20-15, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reptiledude987

After looking at tsubaki's diy thread I'd follow her methods to the letter theyre beautiful setups.

Sorry i felt compelled.. ! Coulnd't help myself.
But thank you!

pet_snake_78 · 03-20-15, 08:44 PM

Seems like RHP is not as efficient as heat tape, though? The main reason I hate enclosures versus tubs so much is I have to run THG really hot to penetrate through even plastics. With tubs I am only losing a few degrees from the actual heat tape temps. So RHP costs more to buy and then costs more to run. Granted with 4 or 5 animals there may not be much difference but the more animals we are talking, it just seems to get a little out of hand.

FWK · 03-20-15, 10:15 PM

Check out this thread. Solves the heat tape issue by putting it inside the enclosure but still completely sealed off under linoleum flooring. I've built a few enclosures using this design. I seal the wood with Minwax water based polyurethane and all the edges with silicone. Simple and easy but you can make it as elaborate as you want.

Ballchris · 03-20-15, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tsubaki

Sorry i felt compelled.. ! Coulnd't help myself.
But thank you!

Could I get a link to your thread thank you in advance.

**Tsubaki** · 03-21-15, 05:25 AM

Sure, this is Part one of my snake room building. Part two is currently also a thing, it's about making fake rock walls into the tubs. Part 3 will be construction of a very large retic terrarium in the same style (But thats not due for a while).

David VB · 03-21-15, 05:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pet_snake_78

Seems like RHP is not as efficient as heat tape, though? The main reason I hate enclosures versus tubs so much is I have to run THG really hot to penetrate through even plastics. With tubs I am only losing a few degrees from the actual heat tape temps. So RHP costs more to buy and then costs more to run. Granted with 4 or 5 animals there may not be much difference but the more animals we are talking, it just seems to get a little out of hand.

What about the ability for your snakes to move around and have some decent space? I think their wellfare come before the cost of electricity when you're in this hobby, no?

jossh27 · 03-21-15, 07:01 AM

When i hear tubs i automatically think of storage totes are we all on the same page here?

Ballchris · 03-21-15, 04:23 PM

I don't care about electricity I have to pay for it anyway so why not use it, my babies human and cold blooded come first. And thank you for the links.

Ballchris · 03-21-15, 04:24 PM

That's why I'm building a encloser I want him to have plenty of room to move. So he stretch out even when he not out of his cage.

Ballchris · 04-13-15, 05:11 PM

ok guys i have a few ont he odds and ends of my new enclosure, I have my polycarbonate dor my sliding doors, and i have the size of this cage i have done some measuring its gonna be 10x4x4 so he will have plenty of room to move stretch and all of the other fun things snakes do this is for my retic he is growing up SO fast. i have the locks, 120watt heat panel going to get a herpastat, tons of fake tropical pants and a couple of hides, now my question is what kinda wood is safe for snakes i know pine is bad is there any other kinds to stay away from, I am building this so he can stay close to me it will look like a piece of furniture when its all said and done im just to proud of him to have him hidden away by NO means is he a "good conversation piece" cant stand people that by anaimals like this for just that reason he is like another child to me.
here are my plans for the encloser:
1. feeding door on the top of the cage for feeding so he doesn't associate the front doors with feeding time.
2.it will be locked as it will be in a main part of my house not huge traffic are but still and only i will have the key.
3.stained to match my other furniture.
4. big enough so he will be able to really grow the cage is 10x4x4 i may go 10x4x3 i dont know i have a 16ft wall that me and my wife have decided on that he can live and be part of the family.
5. and finally all the heating will be radiant heat panels from reptile basics on a herpastat and led lighting for viewing. i like reptile basics heat panels because the animal cannot get hurt due to touching the hot surface. thats what they claim.

any other tips are appreciated.

pet_snake_78 · 04-13-15, 09:30 PM

I've spent a lot of time looking at wood at lowe's and home depot and most of the cheap stuff is warped in one way or another. I'd pay the extra for a hardwood plywood like oak. Even then you'll have to pick through the stack and if you need lots you may have to hit more than one store to find enough quality pieces. The other thing I've found is that procrylic takes a lot of coats to make a smooth layer, I just finished a piece of wood and it really didn't have a good finish that would be easy to wipe down until the 5th coat. I'd be tempted to try spar urethane next time even though it's not water based and see if that develops a useable coat sooner. As you're planning to keep the snake around for a long time, you might want to finish off the floor and lower walls with an epoxy made for bar tops. That will ensure it's easily cleaned and lasts for a very long time. I've never used the stuff myself but I've seen wood that had it applied and it's a nice finish for sure.