Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Is fir plywood good to use as a box. I really am going into this blind. Any help is great.
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1.0 Dumeril's Boa(acrantophis dumerili)
1.0 Argentine Boa(Boa constrictor occidentalis)
0.1 Significant other
0.1 Roommate
0.1 Cat(Burden)
4.3 Fish(the cast of Pirates of the Carribean)

Most fir plywood I see is of fairly low quality, mostly badly warped with significant voids in the plys. I believe it is worth upgrading to a better product. However, I say that without really pricing construction grade plywood in quite some time.

If you are going into this blind, I think you'll find construction easier with a better quality product.

What are you building the cage for?
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Current snakes:

0.0.1 Gonyosoma oxycephala - Java locale (green)

1.2 Gonyosoma oxycephala - Jave local (green)

2.2 Gonyosoma janseni - Seleyar locale (all black)

1.2 Gonyosoma janseni - Celebes locale (Black & Tan)

It will be a two section enclousre, A top and Bottom. Both measuring out to about 4x2x2. Plus a shelf at the bottom of it. It will house my Argentine and Dumeril's. What exactly is the Construction grade plywood. The fir is sitting at about 25 dollars a sheet.
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1.0 Dumeril's Boa(acrantophis dumerili)
1.0 Argentine Boa(Boa constrictor occidentalis)
0.1 Significant other
0.1 Roommate
0.1 Cat(Burden)
4.3 Fish(the cast of Pirates of the Carribean)

Most fir plywood is considered a construction grade plywood. It mostly gives structure to rough framing and is not great for cabinet carcass construction.

I would consider a cabinet grade ply or melamine, with the latter being cheaper. What sort of look do you want with this cage?
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Current snakes:

0.0.1 Gonyosoma oxycephala - Java locale (green)

1.2 Gonyosoma oxycephala - Jave local (green)

2.2 Gonyosoma janseni - Seleyar locale (all black)

1.2 Gonyosoma janseni - Celebes locale (Black & Tan)

The last thing you would want is to use a product that will not be sealable of very difficult to clean. To properly seal and be easy to clean you need a smooth surface. Even the "low grade" hardwood plywood from the home cxenters will work great for caging although probably twice the price you quoted. Here are a couple I made from home depot 3/4" plywood with solid oak fronts.

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Thanks,

Dave Colling

www.rainbows-r-us-reptiles.com

0.1 Wife (WC)
0.2 kids (CBB, selectively bred from good stock)

LOL, to many snakes to list, last count:
12.24 BRB
11.13 BCI
And those are only the breeders

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

I was definately going to use melamine on the floor of it, cause it is a little bit thicker and has an easy to clean surface if you get the right kind. I just didn't know what to use for the sides back and top. The other thigh is, how would you heat it. I don't have the fundage for a panel heater for the roof, would bulbs with a screen protector be okay?
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1.0 Dumeril's Boa(acrantophis dumerili)
1.0 Argentine Boa(Boa constrictor occidentalis)
0.1 Significant other
0.1 Roommate
0.1 Cat(Burden)
4.3 Fish(the cast of Pirates of the Carribean)

If you're short on funds I would definately use melamine for the entire cage. With both sides already being finished it is really hard to beat price wise. And like you say, you have to get the right type. Go to a local cabinet supply wood store and see if they have damaged pieces. You can often get these for half price.

I would probably do something to the floor to make it a bit more water resistant. Scrap linoleum can often be found for free.

Plastic glass track and sliding glass doors are usually the cheapest door option. Plate glass is cheap and I have used it safely for years, but laminated glass is probably a better choice.

Bulbs are fine for heating.
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Current snakes:

0.0.1 Gonyosoma oxycephala - Java locale (green)

1.2 Gonyosoma oxycephala - Jave local (green)

2.2 Gonyosoma janseni - Seleyar locale (all black)

1.2 Gonyosoma janseni - Celebes locale (Black & Tan)

For heat, ceramic heat emitters are cheaper than radiant heat panels but a tad more expensive than lights. They're also more effective than lights, in my opinion.

Chris will steer ya right. He's got a partner around here somewhere. Where are ya, bighurt? Speaking of which, I haven't seen him around much lately. Playing "daddy", I guess.

Have a good one!
Mike
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It is said that 1 out of every 4 people are mentally unbalanced. Think of your 3 closest friends, if they're normal, then it's you.

Still here, lurkin, but playin daddy is right. What time I do have I have to keep up on a growing collection in the middle of breeding season. Thant and the Holidays are tough when you boss works you to the bone, un-necessary 12hr days suck!

Anyways, I didn't catch the captive user of the enclosure but melamine is a good base material for a carcass. However with certain inhabitants you may need to consider an additional layer of protection on the inside floor.

You are correct melamine does have an easy to clean surface but so do some of the more expensive laminents, as well as a properly sealed wood front.

I used melamine for all my carcasses, and natural wood fronts for all my cages.

I also use safety glass for all my snake enclosures and I keep everything in a heated room so I just use supplemental heat. RHP's are defenetly the best for snake enclosures but some types of dirinal lizard may require more umph than a single RHP.

Would like to help, but heres an idea.

Best of Luck.

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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
0.0.10 Red Bearded Dragons
1.1 Rhinoceros Iguana's
1.0 Green Iguana
1.0 Ball Python
1.1 Cream Golden Retrieviers
1.0 Pomeriaian
0.2 Catus Terribilis
0.1 Spouse
1.0 Child

This picture is actually in my arsenal of what to aim for. It seems like melamine is then general concensus for a carcass. I was thinking of using plexiglas for the doors though. The only problem is, I don't know where to find a sort of track for the doors to slide on. any suggestions. This whole thing is gonna take off Jan. 5 and be complete by the 7th.
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1.0 Dumeril's Boa(acrantophis dumerili)
1.0 Argentine Boa(Boa constrictor occidentalis)
0.1 Significant other
0.1 Roommate
0.1 Cat(Burden)
4.3 Fish(the cast of Pirates of the Carribean)

IMO plex is to flexable to make sturdy windows but I have not used it so it might work but I would go with safety glass, your choice.

As far as the track I get mine from my local glass guy, but outwater plastics and a few other online retailers offer the product just have to look.

Good Luck
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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
0.0.10 Red Bearded Dragons
1.1 Rhinoceros Iguana's
1.0 Green Iguana
1.0 Ball Python
1.1 Cream Golden Retrieviers
1.0 Pomeriaian
0.2 Catus Terribilis
0.1 Spouse
1.0 Child