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#1630876
Snakedrake525
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Building new enclosure 
Im building a new cage for my Borneo so far i have made just these 4 panels i finished the wood with stain and poly, but before you all nail me to the cross i want to mention that i plan to screw sheets of plexiglass to every surface facing the interior of the cage then screw it all together and then im gonna seal it with silicone. For the front i plan on using a nice thick acrylic panel for viewing and lastly make a secure lid with a screen top. the dimensions will be 5ft X 2ft base 18 high (pretty cool huh?) ha!
Im guessing after it is done it will roughly weigh a thousands pounds
Any suggestions, comments, critcisisms are welcome. (Soccor ball for size reference)
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02/20/08 03:13pm
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#1631063
Dj arlt
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Message To: Snakedrake525 In reference to Message Id: 1630876
Building new enclosure
As long as you treat the wood with water treatment with a few layers. And put some silicone all along the edges(where the wood connects with one another) you should be fine. That’s all I’ve ever heard, I’ve never heard of the plexiglass all alone the inside though. Just as long as you treat the wood with a water proofer and silicone the corners/edges. And do the same thing along the inside of the door. and treat the door with a water proofer.
That’s my 2 cents
DJ
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02/20/08 05:53pm
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#1631301
Python_Pete
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Message To: Dj arlt In reference to Message Id: 1631063
Building new enclosure
I will be attempting to build an enclosure for my blood python soon, and was told to use the wood people use to build cabinets - the wood with the white melamine interior. I was also told that some folks put vinyl tiles or sheets on the bottom for extra waterproofing. I look forward to seeing your completed enclosure, and hearing any tips you may be able to provide.
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02/20/08 09:16pm
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#1631423
Snakedrake525
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Message To: Python_Pete In reference to Message Id: 1631301
Building new enclosure
I concidered the melamine concept too but most melamine i found was laminated particle board and its hard to hold together in a structure because screws tend to pull out of it too easily. My idea has been expensive and time consuming but ive gone to far to turn back now. At least i know it will be water proof, if i could go back in time i would have use thinner sheets of marine plastic instead of plexi glass plated wood but like i said its too late now. This enclosure is gonna be a beast of wood and plastic and will weigh as much as a african elephant but Fucl< it! good luck with your cage and ill let you know if i finish it in this century.
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02/20/08 10:37pm
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#1631589
Dj arlt
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Message To: Snakedrake525 In reference to Message Id: 1631423
Building new enclosure
The cage I actually just ordered from a buddy in virginia is made out of melamine, BUT all the pieces fit together like a puzzel and you silicone it all when your done. It’s reall really strong. His prices are really fair too. 
His company is called Boamaster. so just look that up. And the smaller cage on top was about $125 is 4ftx30"x12"
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02/21/08 12:58am
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#1631828
Snakedrake525
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Message To: Dj arlt In reference to Message Id: 1631589
Building new enclosure
Really? that is a good price Boa master huh?
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02/21/08 10:35am
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#1631887
Snakedrake525
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Message To: Snakedrake525 In reference to Message Id: 1631828
Building new enclosure
Well Dj Arlt I wish you had been there in my brainstorming sessions for this cage but at this point i gotta follow through here is my progess, i just plated the wood with plexi glass for the interior. im gonna put silicone on all the site that i put the screws into the wood. Im currently at $75 for the building so far but the front will be the most costly, but on the bright side im haveing fun building it. 
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02/21/08 11:53am
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#1632305
Dj arlt
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Message To: Snakedrake525 In reference to Message Id: 1631887
Building new enclosure
Yeah it’s fun to make your own and that’s not to much to spend I don’t think. I really wanted to build my own instead but it seemed easier at the time just to buy one. I think yours will look really good and be really efficient as far as cages go. Good luck with finishing and make sure to post some pictures!
DJ
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02/21/08 05:17pm
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#1632808
Python_Pete
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Message To: Dj arlt In reference to Message Id: 1632305
Building new enclosure
DJ: Are you using a heat lamp at the top of the enclosure, or are there bottom/side heaters as well? How are the snakes protected against burning themselves on the heat lamp?
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02/21/08 09:37pm
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#1632963
Dj arlt
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Message To: Python_Pete In reference to Message Id: 1632808
Building new enclosure
there not, just like it’s always been for years. My snakes have never burnt themselves. Most people and there animals have many ways to burn themselves in a cage, yet they don’t. A lot of people just assume the snake is like "OH MY GOD A LIGHT I WANT TO TOUCH IT!" and get burnt. I’ve never seen this with any of the snakes I’ve ever owned.
DJ
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02/21/08 11:37pm
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#1648359
Snakedrake525
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Message To: Dj arlt In reference to Message Id: 1632963
Building new enclosure
Ok im done finally
Do you all think that this will hold her the rest of her days
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03/04/08 10:09pm
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#1648382
Python_Pete
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Message To: Snakedrake525 In reference to Message Id: 1648359
Building new enclosure
You did a beautiful job...it looks like an expensive piece of furniture! I’m certain your snake will be very happy in its new enclosure for many years.
At what temperature do you normally keep your enclosure?
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03/04/08 10:24pm
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#1648416
Snakedrake525
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Message To: Python_Pete In reference to Message Id: 1648382
Building new enclosure
That temp reading was 5 min after i turned the light on and put the snake in this was at like 9 ET its up to 80 on the hot side now and climbing. I just finished putting the door on a few hours ago. I hope it get to about 85 on the hot side and stays around 75 on the cool side but i may need to buy stronger bulbs. Thank you Pete yes it was fun builing it, but im glad its done!!! it weighs more than a buick but she looks as haappy as a pig in poop. I hope it holds her for a long time but i know these borneos get big!!! ha thanks for the comments.
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03/04/08 10:38pm
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#1648627
Dj arlt
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Message To: Snakedrake525 In reference to Message Id: 1648416
Building new enclosure
Good job man it looks great. It turned out really really good!
So when are you going to start on mine? lol just joking!
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03/05/08 05:20am
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#1660185
Snakedrake525
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Message To: Dj arlt In reference to Message Id: 1648627
Building new enclosure
Well DJ if you could help me get my humidity self sustaining at 50-60 percent i would build you one i keep it at 55% only by hitting it with my sprayer every morning but im losing humidity to 40% by 24 hours later my temp are good but my humidity seems unstable. I Waited a full 48 hours and it went down to 35, god i am starting to think this cage was a wasted effort and im very frustrated that i could have spent 20 dollars on a rubbermaid and a UTH and i would have had more luck. I have no problem misting daily for the 60% but i want to be safe. Im thinking that i might need to think about a fogger possibly. Please help me out!!!!
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03/13/08 10:36pm
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#1660792
Whit-E
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Message To: Snakedrake525 In reference to Message Id: 1660185
Building new enclosure
SnakeDrake525 - your enclosure turned out nice!!! woo hoo!!!
What kind of substrate are you using? When I first got my BP I was using ReptiBark and could not get my humidity down and had to switch to paper towels!! IDK just a thought because the ReptiBark sure held the humidity consistently.
Again, just a thought!
E
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03/14/08 04:13pm
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#1661059
Snakedrake525
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Message To: Whit-E In reference to Message Id: 1660792
Building new enclosure
yeah i use a combo of a carpet with a ton of spag moss for humidity and i have a giant water bowl it actually holds 55% over a 18 hour period quite well then drops at around 24 hours so im doing one spraying a day which isnt too bad. But the problem is im fighting a CHE that sucks the humidity out but is the only heat that really heats up the cage enough. It is very frustrating!!!! i wish i had thought of a way of putting a UTH under the bottom while i was building it they make everything so much easier. however im planning on using this cage for my BCI or my everglades rat in a couple years when they get bigger till then im misting daily for my girl. Im getting a male Borneo tommorow and youll be damn sure hell be in a rubbermaid for a little while, considering how much i spent on this monstrosity. I think because of their humidity requirements i will probally always bloods in plastic from now on.
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03/14/08 08:48pm
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#1664817
Snakey68
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Message To: Snakedrake525 In reference to Message Id: 1661059
Building new enclosure
great job drakey very nice mate.
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03/17/08 05:48pm
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