Pine enclosures

GNARPIG · #1 (**permalink**) 09-04-2010, 10:19 PM

Hello everyone,
My first post has to do with plywood and standard 2x4 enclosures for my red tailed boas (Mojo & Juju). My boas are each about 4 1/2 feet long and I'm ready to build a new tank for them. I've seen lots of enclosures made from 2x4s and plywood and I want some feedback about using those materials. Regular plywood and 2x4s are made from clear yellow pine, which is hazardous to boas. Has anyone experienced or heard of any problems arising from using these materials? I've considered using a sealant on regular plywood and 2x4s. Does anybody have good advice about that, such as, is it a good idea, and if so, what kind is recommended? Any input would be appreciated.
Rockin' Ace,
Gnarpig

Sakara · #2 (**permalink**) 09-04-2010, 10:25 PM

I believe the pine CAN be safe IF you coat it several times with a sealer... I may be wrong, someone else can give more input on that... Make sure you use a waterproof sealant too...

are you planning to build 2 enclosures? because they deff. should not be kept together

There is a How-To build a 4x2 enclosure in the How-To section at the top left of the screen in the site navigation

sFlsniper · #3 (**permalink**) 09-05-2010, 06:03 AM

there are different types of plywood.

Plywood - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Keri · #4 (**permalink**) 09-05-2010, 06:06 AM

I have used well sealed pine enclosures with no ill effects, you should let them air out for a while (until there is No Smell) after sealing though.

gottabsleeved · #5 (**permalink**) 09-05-2010, 07:53 AM

Repti-Racks -- Specializing in Arboreal Racks and Caging - Ultra Series caging For $175 shipped for a 4x2 why build a heavy cage that stinks inside for your pets that will be harder to clean holding bacteria to harm your pet and will get moisture in the wood some day.Proline is good to.Plastic is best for cageing.

Rachel SS · #6 (**permalink**) 09-05-2010, 08:21 AM

Pine wood is safe to use once it is sealed. Pine chips for bedding are very odorous and the oils from them are what can kill snakes.

gottabsleeved · #7 (**permalink**) 09-06-2010, 04:22 AM

I read somewhere by a reptile guy that knows his wood stuff.And he said low grade pine is bad for retiles but the higher grade expensive pine is better.He said why but i dont remeber.Id use oak myself and build it like mccarthyboas builds and seals his.His way is the only way a wood cage is worth making and putting in the time.

Keri · #8 (**permalink**) 09-06-2010, 05:06 AM

If I lived in the States and didn't have to pay an extra couple hundred dollars on shipping I would probably buy a big stack of boaphiles or simmilar. The wooden cages my husband built are beautiful and will last a long time but a LOT of work went into them and I'm not sure I can convince him to put that much time in again!! I prefer wood for looks but PVC is lighter and "easier".

DiamondCreek · #9 (**permalink**) 09-06-2010, 05:30 PM

I recently completed a 6X2X2 with melamine. Yeah, its heavy as all get out, but it looks nice and its safe. Personally, I wouldn't chance the plywood. Melamine is on par, price wise, with good quality plywood. There is a nice How-to on this site for melamine cages, though I went with a drop front instead of sliding glass.

Keri · #10 (**permalink**) 09-06-2010, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DiamondCreek

I recently completed a 6X2X2 with melamine. Yeah, its heavy as all get out, but it looks nice and its safe. Personally, I wouldn't chance the plywood. Melamine is on par, price wise, with good quality plywood. There is a nice How-to on this site for melamine cages, though I went with a drop front instead of sliding glass.

...and what is melamine filled with?

DiamondCreek · #11 (**permalink**) 09-06-2010, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keri

...and what is melamine filled with?

Wood chips...some of it pine, I'm sure. But the wood is heavily processed and encased in a counter top type material and not in contact with the snake. By the time you seal pine plywood (after finding a snake-safe water based sealer), you've likely exceeded the price of melamine.

And if Melamine is good enough for the cages that Mark Venhorst @ BoaMaster produces, its good enough for me.

Keri · #12 (**permalink**) 09-06-2010, 07:47 PM

I'm not saying melamine isn't good, I'm just saying anything well-sealed enough is ok, I just like the look of real wood.

Icicle · #13 (**permalink**) 09-06-2010, 09:46 PM

All wood cages here too, And all custom made

Oh Wait, I have to glass cages right now, and they are temp.

GNARPIG · #14 (**permalink**) 09-07-2010, 12:47 AM

What kind of sealant is tried and true safe for snakes?

Icicle · #15 (**permalink**) 09-07-2010, 05:10 AM

Helmsman Spar Urethane.
Epoxy.

Tom · #16 (**permalink**) 09-07-2010, 05:27 AM

Here is a link to my EZ - cage prints that are on my website. These prints are for 3 foot, 4 foot, 6 foot and 8 foot cages. I also have cut sheet and a hardware list for each cage. I also tell you how to seal your wood cage and there is a print to show you how to layout the track for the sliding doors. This info is for a basic cage not my custom furniture grade cages. I do seal both cages the same way.

Here is the link to the basic cage prints.
EZ_Prints

Take care
Tom

GNARPIG · #17 (**permalink**) 09-11-2010, 02:06 AM

I've decided I'm building 2 enclosures, 6' x 2' x 2', each out of plywood, staining them, and triple coating them with polyurethane. The doors will open down in the front, and there will be 4" x 12" vents on the sides. It's coming along and looking great...I'm really stoked! I'll put up pics as I take them, visual aid really helped me get my idea together. So did all the advice. Thank you everybody!

Keri · #18 (**permalink**) 09-11-2010, 05:53 AM

Sounds great! Can't wait to see pics!

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