Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi all,

I'm in the midst of turning an old dresser of mine into a cage for one of my snakes. It's a very sturdy, large dresser. I've already gutted it and cleared everything out. I'm not exactly Mr. Carpenter, so i'm learning as i go with this.

First, what are some suggestions for what to seal it with? I've heard a lot of different names and I wanna know what ya'll suggest as the best. I wanna seal all the corners and then would like to put a layer of something to make it completely sealed and water resistant.

Second, what are some suggestions for heating and lighting. I don't plan on putting a screen top on it, so there won't be any heat lamps. I have a few spare heat pads, but i don't think that'll due in the long run. I haven't used the radiant heat panels, and really don't wanna spend $300 on one right now. I haven't used heat tape just b/c i don't know the first thing when it comes to wiring them. Any alternative methods suggested? I'll probly end up getting some heat tape, but wanted to see if anyone out there had any new ideas.

I'm planning on painting the inside as well, any types of paint suggested? I don't wanna get anything that'll hurt my snakes. This will be my first homemade enclosure, so i'm still learning about building things and such, so treat me like a child when you explain it lol, i won't be offended. I know snakes....not wood lol.

thanks for all the help,
Jason

0.1 Green Anaconda (Mary Jane)
1.0 Albino Burmese Python (Mitch)
Unsexed Reticulated Python (No name yet)
0.1 Red-Tail Boa (Serenity)

First, what are some suggestions for what to seal it with? I've heard a lot of different names and I wanna know what ya'll suggest as the best. I wanna seal all the corners and then would like to put a layer of something to make it completely sealed and water resistant.

Is this for one of the species in your profile or is it for something else?

Also, I'm confused about what you plan to do exactly with the interior. Are you saying you want the paint to be a sealant or that you want to paint over a sealant?

Second, what are some suggestions for heating and lighting

Again, the species that will be housed in the cage will matter here. Also, how big will the cage interior be? Will it be in a heated room?

Radiant heat panels are hard to beat for many species. Heat tape is not the best for large enclosures in cool rooms.

Is this for one of the species in your profile or is it for something else?

Well, that's a 2 part answer. I'll probly use it initially to house my redtail until she gets a little bigger, she's just a baby right now. Eventually, i will probly house a smaller species of snake in it. Either a blood or dumeril probly.

Also, I'm confused about what you plan to do exactly with the interior. Are you saying you want the paint to be a sealant or that you want to paint over a sealant?

Sorry, i guess i should have worded that better lol. I would like to use a paint that would act as a sealant as well, but i don't know if they make stuff like that. Remember, i'm not really savy in building materials. What do you suggest is the first step? I need ideas, so what do you think would be the best way to make it waterproof it?
Second, what are some suggestions for heating and lighting

Again, the species that will be housed in the cage will matter here. Also, how big will the cage interior be? Will it be in a heated room?
This is true about the species determining heating, but at the same time, i'll adjust it depending on the species that were in it at the time. The interior will be around 5 feet in length, 2 feet in depth, and about 3 feet high. I'm aware that this isn't a permanent cage for any of my snakes, it would just be a segway as one grows. Building this cage is something that popped into my head over the weekend and would make a decent medium sized cage for something. I plan on getting many more reptiles, so i'll will use it no matter what for something. The room stays at around a consistent 70 degrees. I don't usually require anything over 100 watts in heat lamps to keep my cages at the right temps.

Radiant heat panels are hard to beat for many species. Heat tape is not the best for large enclosures in cool rooms.
This is true, i was just wondering if anyone had any good alternatives.

thanks again
Jason

I'll probly use it initially to house my redtail until she gets a little bigger, she's just a baby right now. Eventually, i will probly house a smaller species of snake in it. Either a blood or dumeril probly.

I would like to use a paint that would act as a sealant as well, but i don't know if they make stuff like that.

One thought that came to mind was to line the cage interior with expanded PVC, which comes in a variety of colors. However, when doing dresser conversions the interior does not consist of flat surfaces, making attaching this material difficult. I assume there is an internal framework on the inside of the dresser?

If you can attach a piece of plastic or vinyl flooring to what will be the cage floor then you could probably get away with painting the cage walls and other visible surfaces.

There are epoxy paints that may also be an option.

Do you think you'll be able to attach plastic sheeting to the inside of the dresser?

The interior will be around 5 feet in length, 2 feet in depth, and about 3 feet high. The room stays at around a consistent 70 degrees.

I would vote for a radiant heat panel. I like the ones from Pro Products, although I must admit I'm not using any of their products myself right now.

One thought that came to mind was to line the cage interior with expanded PVC, which comes in a variety of colors. However, when doing dresser conversions the interior does not consist of flat surfaces, making attaching this material difficult. I assume there is an internal framework on the inside of the dresser?
You would assume correctly. I got most of the framework crap out, but there are a couple things that i won't take out b/c they are an important part of the sturdiness in the dresser i believe, but they don't look they will interfere with anything.

If you can attach a piece of plastic or vinyl flooring to what will be the cage floor then you could probably get away with painting the cage walls and other visible surfaces.

Do you think linoleum or something like that would work. I was thinking about lining the whole inside of the cage with it.

Do you think you'll be able to attach plastic sheeting to the inside of the dresser?
I think i can, it's a pretty open space, not a lot interfering with it, i think i can pull it off. I'll take a closer look at it when i get home 2nite and see what i can do.

You're right, heat panel seems to be the best option. What are you using currently? I'm going to run through some ideas and see what i can come up with. I was thinking of maybe attaching heat lights to the top of the inside and then partitioning it off with mesh wiring so the snake cannot get to it, or would that be too dangerous? possible fire hazard?

thanks man, i appreciate your help.

Jason

If you can attach vinyl flooring or other plastic material to the inside that would likely be your best bet. Maybe build up a frame that matches what you had to leave inside so that it will stay flat?

I would still seal the wood with something. Maybe some water based polyurethane.

You're right, heat panel seems to be the best option. What are you using currently?

Room heat with just a bit of supplemental heat from heat rope or light rope. And the species I keep don't require a lot of heat.

I was thinking of maybe attaching heat lights to the top of the inside and then partitioning it off with mesh wiring so the snake cannot get to it, or would that be too dangerous? possible fire hazard?

People do this all the time. No big deal. They even make bulb guards just for this purpose.

If you can attach vinyl flooring or other plastic material to the inside that would likely be your best bet. Maybe build up a frame that matches what you had to leave inside so that it will stay flat?

Last night I managed to sand everything down to a smooth surface and sealed all the cracks and seams with silicone. Tonight I will seal the rest with water based polyurethane. You're right, building something up to match everything on the inside will be very helpful, it shouldn't be too difficult i don't think, i'll use expanded pvc or something similar.

Room heat with just a bit of supplemental heat from heat rope or light rope. And the species I keep don't require a lot of heat.

Ah, i see. I wish i could do that, make my life easier lol.

I was thinking of maybe attaching heat lights to the top of the inside and then partitioning it off with mesh wiring so the snake cannot get to it, or would that be too dangerous? possible fire hazard?
People do this all the time. No big deal. They even make bulb guards just for this purpose.

Sweet, then i think i'm going to try and pull something off with that and try and save a buck on having to buy a heat panel for now. I will eventually get one, in fact, many of them, considering the species I care for. I'll keep you updated on my progress. Tonight's step is going to be constructing the inside frame and sealing it completely.

thanks again
Jason

Quick comment: You should really seal in the inside with polyurethane first and then apply the silicone. Not a huge deal, however.

Oops! lol. Ah well, I was planning on reapplying it again after i put the polyurathane on it. Lesson learned though.

thanks
Jason