Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Are these the same thing? The sign shop told me they are virtually the same, but I would like to make sure before ordering. I am looking for a removavable box for the base of my cages, so I can take them to a sink and wash them. It will take up the entire floor of my cages 36"X 16". I figured this was the best way to go for myself. I was looking at convenience and clenliness. Derek

I used to have some notebooks with data on the various expanded PVC products. The upshot is that they are all pretty much the same, although there are some differences. Some lend themselves to solvent welding that others which may be important to you with what you're doing.

The biggest difference that I remember after extensive online searching was the weight of the thicker sheets. I believe it was at 1/2" where quite a bit of variation in density showed up and some products got quite heavy.

Lastly, consider very carefully the pros and cons of building a cage with a removable tray. Nearly everyone I now who has tried this has come to regret it. Many people end up just siliconing the tray in place and make it permanent. Designs where the tray sits below the cage and the tray slides are a lot better but much more difficult to design and build properly so they are secure for some species and/or their prey items.

You might want to discuss your design, ideas, and the species being housed in another thread.
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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)

My plan is to add the trays to my existing 6 cages. I am finding that they are kind of a pain to clean but not to bad. The sealand does seem to be peeling in spots. I just need to line it with omething that I can remove if need be. I also would like something that heat welds togther or non toxic glue. I've heard of the heat welding, but I'm not sure how it is done. The floor will be 16" X 36" with about a 2" or 3" wall all the way around. I have a short wall in the front of my cages, and I might hinge thos for easy removable. Thanks for the help. Derek

Like Chris mentioned, density is one area where there is a difference. I have some scraps of Sintra and one of the others (forgot which brand is which), and the density is different. The solid PVC coating seems a bit thicker on some of the scraps I have that aren't Sintra. Still, they all work quite well for what I've done with them, which isn't much other than aquarium tops, box lids, hide boxes and to repair broken PVC cages.
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Mark