Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Does plexiglass release fumes if heated? My boyfriend and I must make some stacked enclosures,and have some extra wood, melamine, plexiglass, and glass lying around, so we were considering using these materials. He was just worried about using plexiglass on the floor of the cages, because of the fumes issue, and i was woried about using melamine on the floor, cause i wouldn't know how to heat that safely. We were also considering using pvc on the floor...
any tips would be appreicated. Thanks in advances,
Sarah

Sarah,
It would really help if we knew the following;

Size of cage you intend to build.

What the enclosure will house as far as animal, substrate, etc.

Heat source, and the rooms average daily temperatures.

Reason why you have decided to build your own cages, esthetics vs weight or cost (this really just helps us determine what materials are better suited for the enclosure)

Thanks
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Jeremy

"I am become death, the destroyer of worlds" July 16, 1945 Robert Oppenheimer

1.1 Double Het "Sharp" Snow RTB's
1.1 Hypomelenistic RTB's
0.2 Pastel Hypo RTB's
2.0 Double Het Stripe Albino RTB's
0.1 Suriname RTB
0.1 Anerthrystic RTB
1.0 Ball Python
1.1 Rhinoceros Iguana's
1.0 Green Iguana
1.1 Cream Golden Retrieviers
1.0 Pomeriaian
0.3 Catus Terribilis
0.1 Spouse
0.0.1 Youth -coming soon-

We intend to build 4 cages stacked on top of each other, 4 feet in length, 18 inches high, and 22 inches deep.

They are intended to hold 3 pairs of ball pythons, and one will have our bull snake. For the pythons, we use astroturf as a substrate, and orchid bark for our bull snake.

The average temperature in the room where they'll be is 23-25 C. and the heat sources we'll be using are under the tank heaters.
We decided to build the cages, to save space (right now, each set is in their own 72 gallon aquarium, and it's taking up alot of room. We'd like to keep the cost down as much as possible, but still make it look nice. I also would like to keep the weight down if possible, but its not a main concern. I do want to be able to move each cage separately, so when we eventually move out of the apartment, it will be easier.

Thanks,
Sarah

If anything I'd be more concerned about the melamine releasing fumes than the acrylic.

I assume you plan to use your UTH's under an acrylic floor? I don't think this is a very good idea. Plexiglass/acrylic is pretty good at blocking radiant heat not to mention that it can warp and yellow when exposed to high heat differentials.

A couple of options:

1) Use radiant heat panels mounted onto the ceiling of each cage. This is certainly the "best" way to heat the cages for the species you list, but also the most expensive.

2) If you must use UTH's, then cut a rectangle out of the floor that is 2" wider and longer than the UTH you'll need for that cage. You don't want the opening to get too close to any cage wall so it maintains its structural integrity. Then cover the entire inside floor with 3mm expanded PVC. Whatever brand you can get at a local sign shop. Then use the appropriately rated foil tape to attach the UTH to the underside of the expanded PVC floor.

This method helps to overcome some of the shortcomings of under-tank heat sources and makes the floor of the cage more durable and easier to clean. Not the way I would do it, but if one must use heat tape or other under-tank heat source this is the best way I have found.
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Current snakes:

0.0.1 Gonyosoma oxycephala - Java locale (green)

2.2 Gonyosoma janseni - Seleyar locale (all black)