Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Does anyone use rack systems for their adult beadeds?, if so, how big are the tubs you use,oh and Bob, my e-mail has been down, Congrats on your wonderful sucsess, I hope sometime I can purchase one;;Thanks, Phil..

Phil thanks a lot for the warm words. As far as a rack system for adult beadeds? I cant imagine a premade rack that is large enough to housa an adult beaded? Im not saying they dont exist but I have never seen one. You may want to post on the anaconda forum or other large constrictor forum to see what size tub they use for those huge snakes? There is a nice PVC product out now that comes in 4 by 8 sheets and 5 by 10 to I believe. It is an expanded lightweight PVC cell structured material that is 100% waterproof and very lightweight. It can be glued with regular PVC cement and is finished in black or white color laminate formica look, it isnt cheap but it is the material I am now useing to rebuild all of my old melemine cages that are starting to get a bit nasty from moisture. This material can even be heated with a torpedo heater and formed into curves and radius's as well. I have some 3/4 inch on order in black witch cost a bit more than white for my new cage. This product can be routed with regular router and look like a finished edge. I think it is the best choice on the market for any herp cages, it is very simular if not the same material used by a company called Animal Plastics which specializes in Herp cages and advertises on Kingsnake. hradiuse this helps.
Bob Sutton
Maxian's Collection

i have seen cages made out of this but where do you get it?

You can get that PVC expanded foam panels from some lumber yards or plastic dealers, there are many name brands and it runs about 120 bucks for a 4 by 8 ft. sheet in white, it is totally waterproof and will last a long time if not forever.
Bob

I use High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) for enclosure construction. You can order it in a variety of sizes and thicness from teh following website:

www.usplastic.com/catalog/product.asp?catalog_name=USPlastic&category_name=72&product_id=10369

I like HDPE because it can be welded together, which will allow you to form rounded corners to prevent waste and debris accumulation. You can also use standard wood blades, router bits and drill bits for cutting, routing and drilling…

Good luck,

Jeff
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Jeff Snodgres
University of Arkansas
snodgresjeffreys@uams.edu
501.603.1947

Just curious, but what type of plastic welder do you use? And can the thicker plactics be screwed together?

Thanks,
Chris

I use 1/2 inch plastic and PVC cement and it has to be predrilled and screwed, I am not familiar with welding the plastic unless they are just useing this term weld for the use of cement? You can get 1/2 inch for about 80 dollars a 4 by 8 sheet in white, the black is a bit more pricey. Nice material to work with other than routing it, the dust is so fine it sticks to your hands, arms,ect. You have to wash it off with water it sticks so bad.
Bob Sutton
Maxian's Collection

Sorry for the delayed reply, I'm just a lurker here.
There are some specialty welders for HDPE and PVC. The two types of welders are heat and friction welders, not another term for cementing the material together.
Welding allows you to form rounded corners, which prevents waste and debris build up within your enclosures, and forms a stronger bond than cementing.
You can find plastic welders and welding rods at the following URL: www.usplastic.com. Just enter the word "welders" into the search field and several will show up. There are a few which can weld HDPE over .5" thickness.
Also, you can use screws and brackets to hold HDPE together, as it can be worked much the same as wood...

Good luck,

Jeff
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Jeff Snodgres
University of Arkansas
snodgresjeffreys@uams.edu
501.603.1947