Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Here is my new Enclosure for my Jobiensis.
I still have another 6'er amd a 7'er to build.
This idea of using timbers has been in my head for a while now.
I am glad it's done!
Mike

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Mike's Monitors!

Had to do this in 2 posts.

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Mike's Monitors!

Are you sure its strong enough? Just kidding, Thats an awesome setup.

Like i told you somewhere else Mike, i love it!
Take care.
Justin

Hey Justin
Thanks again Brother!
I didn't realize it was you with this user name.
I'll see you on the "dark side" nl, or perhaps this IS the "dark side!
Mike
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Mike's Monitors!

...those arent cca or acq treated timbers are they? that treated wood is REALLY nasty stuff. upon being sprayed with water it will leak cyanide and other poisons into the enclosure. from the pics the timbers look green.
joe

Joe
Thanks for the warning!
This design has been in my head for a while!
The treated part had me put back a bit. I desided to go with plywood, I went and picked up all of my material. On the short ride home I couldn't take the smell! So I turned around and went back and bought the timbers, they smell great! I didn't have to open my windows just to breath.
So I figured that plywood is treated as well, perhaps a bit differently...I really don't know.
I have used both plywood to build cages and landscaping timbers IN enclosures both with no problems.
I'll have to hope everything will be fine.
Thanks again to all!
Mike
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Mike's Monitors!

Mike it's been removed from play parks at a high cost$$ because the stuff is dangerous. I have a balcony all around my house that needs demolishing this spring, when ever it rains there a gooey stuff coming out of it, slippery like slime and highly toxic, not only to the touch but the fumes too!

I saw your post earlier but didn’t want to upset you about it, sorry!

I know you put your hart at this, but I also know you really care for your jobiensis.
I rather you hate me then lose your monitors.

do a google and see how serious this stuff is.

Jobi
You got me pegged wrong Brother, I don't hate anybody...it's agaist my Religion.

That old stuff sounds nasty!
Like I said before plywood, particle board and other things we use to build enclosures are treated as well. Perhaps a bit differently.

What ever this stuff is they are now treating lumber with seems to be useless!
All of the timbers had mold, alge and other things growing on them. Plus all of the little work horses are doing fine.

Thanks for your concern and information.
Mike

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Mike's Monitors!

Hello

Ok plywood is also treated, however it is approved for building houses, food containers and so on.

It has been against the law in the US to use Chromated Copper Arsenate in the treatment of lumber. Also all four versions of ACQ or Alkaline Copper Quat are Cyanide and Arsenic Free.

That doesn't mean I would use treated lumber in a Reptile enclosure but it doesn't mean I wouldn't either. The new products are far supierior to the old CCA days, man that stuff was bad.

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
1.0 Double Het Stripe Albino RTB's
0.1 Suriname RTB
0.1 Anerthrystic RTB
0.0.9 Red Bearded Dragons
1.1 Rhinoceros Iguana's
1.0 Green Iguana
1.0 Ball Python
1.1 Cream Golden Retrieviers
1.0 Pomeriaian
0.3 Catus Terribilis
0.1 Spouse
1.0 Child

Jeremy
Thanks for that info, it makes me feel much better...that and the fact that when I purchased the timbers there was mold, alge and some other things growing on it. Not to mention all of the little "work horses" (roly polies, centipedes and millepeds) that live and work in my enclosures are doing fine.
Mike
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Mike's Monitors!

Just a lil info on the treated lumber. The CCA is the stuff that was made with cyanide, this stuff was phased out a little over a year ago. The new treatment is ACQ, but just like the CCA, the chemicals can and will leak out when contact is made with moisture.
Also, Mike, you mentioned in another message the smell of the plywood. Some ply is treated, some isn't. Treated plywood is easy to tell as it's usually warped and is dark green. Regular plywood such as sheating is untreated and the smell from it could be the glue or just the type of wood used. Another way to tell if it's treated (the easiest) is to read the tag on the wood. Most stuff available now is .40 ACQ, but I believe landscape timbers are .20 ACQ, if you see that on the UPC tag, it's treated lumber. I've had many contractors come into my job and wonder why I don't use gloves when handling treated as many of them have gotten some decent infections from some miniscual splinters. Just be careful man and keep a VERY close eye on those gorgeous animals of yours.
-BT

Nice!
You are always one step ahead of us with enclosure design. I think I'll have to steal this idea too. Thanks for the inspirations.
RoadSpawn

Spawn
Thanks Brother!
If I didn't want people to "steal" my ideas I wouldn't post photos!
Build away Brother, your showers stall looks great...where did you get that idea. LOL!
By the way what do you have in there?
Mike
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Mike's Monitors!

Hey Mike
This is what I have.....
By the way, I changed the webing.

maaaaaan....so now that I just started putting together one using some nice birch plywood you throw this up.

Great idea!

I am trying to put one together for a display in my buddy's pet store and this would be perfect.

Now please call my wife and explain that even though I just spent a ton of cash on the birch we all think it would be in everyone's best interest if I switch to using timbers.

Oh and any idea where I can get those timbers from? ha just kidding.

nice job!

Tom

Tom
Thanks Brother!
I paid $200 for 80 timbers, enough to do 2 6'ers and a 7'er.
Mike

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Mike's Monitors!

very nice enclosure, bet the monitor has moved all that dirt around

Crocman
Thanks!
I can assure you that my Monitors didn't help me SHLEP ALL OF THAT DIRT! I wish they would have!
Mike
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Mike's Monitors!

It's beautiful! Great work.
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Shannon in Reno
1 savannah monitor (Pombe-means "beer" in Swahili)
6 dogs
1 cat
32 rats
50 mice
54 chickens
2 beardies
1 black rat snake
~100 hissers
1 giant milipede

Shannon
Thanks! I was just monkeyin around
Mike
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Mike's Monitors!

That looks awesome Mike, but landscape timbers are treated. Not sure what type of effect those chemicals might have on monitors or any other animal for that matter.

Brian
So far they have not even killed a gnat!
I have a close eye on it though!
Mike

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Mike's Monitors!

I see working with the timbers hasn't affected you either.LOL
Kakes