Soo I have a problem...

PiiNKvenom · 03-24-10, 07:27 PM

Okay so we went to home depot asked for aspen wood for just the frame and the guy got it for us. We built the tank and everything but then my friend came over and told me the wood was pine (he does alot of wood work). Anyways the framing is made of pine but is this okay or no? B/c I've heard not to use pine for substrate but it's only the framing for it... Please help and if I could do anything to fix this it'd be of great help

Will0W783 · 03-24-10, 07:51 PM

I don't know...I wouldn't use pine for anything that will touch any of my snakes, but I don't know if just the framing being pine will hurt much. Maybe you can seal it with a varnish or something?

Feebo · 03-25-10, 04:05 AM

That doesn`t sound ideal at all does it.

infernalis · 03-25-10, 08:01 AM

Not that big of a deal.....

The reason pine is a bad bedding it that grinding up the wood releases the pine oils, the pine oils cause respiratory problems with extended use.

Pine framing wood is kiln dried (Baked in a large oven) sealing in the oils and burning off the surface oils.

I have cages I built with common everyday lumber that have had reptiles in them for years without any problems.

Relax, your critter will be fine.

shaunyboy · 03-25-10, 09:45 AM

my vet told me its the pine oils that are the harmfull stuff.he told me to squeeze my aspen substrate in my hand and if i smelt pine then not to use it.just for peace of mind i stopped using aspen.as far as your frame goes,its like infernalis says i wouldnt be too concerned.
cheers shaun

PiiNKvenom · 03-25-10, 04:08 PM

Okay thanks alot guys.
Had me really worried for a bit.
I probably would have chewed the Home Depot guy's head off if I had to rebuild the tank :S