Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I need to build another rack and was considering using MDF rather then melamine. Can if be left unfinished, of will the humidity cause it to fall apart?

Thanks

Yes to both questions.

I recommend lining it with something.

Vinyl film
Formica
contact paper
Certain paints may even work

>>I need to build another rack and was considering using MDF rather then melamine. Can if be left unfinished, of will the humidity cause it to fall apart?
>>
>>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
0.0.16 Hypomelenistic RTB's
0.2 Pastel Hypo RTB's
1.0 Double Het Stripe Albino RTB's
0.1 Suriname RTB
0.0.15 Normal Suriname Hybrid's
0.1 Anerthrystic RTB
3.6.17 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's right - the shelf floor of a bin compartment should be ok (since the plastic bin will keep anything inside of it), but the shelf roof above a bin will be subject to humidity from the water dish in the bin, and could cause the shelf above to warp if the MDF is untreated.

A critter abrading its snout on untreated or uncovered MDF on the shelf above its bin might be a concern, too.
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Lauren Madar - OphidiaGems.com
1.0 Ball Python, 1.0 Hog Island Boa (RIP DeeDee), 1.1 Hypo BCI, 1.1 Surinam BCC, 0.1 Green Tree Python

People have left it unfinished for racks and the racks have held up fine. Still, my preference would be to seal it with something and recommend you do so, especially if you use larger waterbowls. It's really most important to seal the underside of each shelf.

Vinyl film, contact paper, waterborne poly, paint, all sort of things that have already been mentioned.

I will also mention that I much prefer melamine of over MDF for racks, especially now that the price difference is not as great as it used to be. Maybe that's changed in the last year, I don't know.
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Current snakes:

0.0.1 Gonyosoma oxycephala - Java locale (green)

0.2 Gonyosoma oxycephala - Malaysian locale (green)

1.2 Gonyosoma oxycephala - Java local (green)

2.2 Gonyosoma janseni - Seleyar locale (all black)

1.2 Gonyosoma janseni - Celebes locale (Black & Tan)

Simply wraping the MDF with self adhisive shelp liner would be fine? Would I just run the flex watt on top?

The reason is I am trying to get away cheap on this one. The last rack ran me better then 350 using birch ply. This one will be out of peoples eye site so I am looking to Do this for almost nothing. I got 4 1/2 sheets (4 X 4) of 1/2 MDF for free and am trying to take advantage.

It's only going to hold 23 X 16 tubs with milks or small kings so I am not too worried about sagging.

I am trying to figure out what to use for the sides. I might just buy a 1/2 sheet of sanded ply to use on the sides, and just leave it unfinished.

Self adhesive shelf liner is not as good as it used to be but if you can find a decent product it would work fine. Even if it's junk you can hold it in place with packing tape. I would run the flexwatt normally, either under the tubs or along the back.

I have used 1/2" AC plywood for the sides of racks and it worked fine.
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Current snakes:

0.0.1 Gonyosoma oxycephala - Java locale (green)

0.2 Gonyosoma oxycephala - Malaysian locale (green)

1.2 Gonyosoma oxycephala - Java local (green)

2.2 Gonyosoma janseni - Seleyar locale (all black)

1.2 Gonyosoma janseni - Celebes locale (Black & Tan)

I made a rack with it. I use the tops on my tubs though. I did spray the MDF with 2 coats of clear acrylic from a rattle can (leftover from that granite speckle paint looking stuff for a Lizard Lounge stand I made)
I've been using it for about 2 years now I think and it's fine. A few water stains, but it's not falling apart at all...

A few key points. You MUST pre-drill if you are going to use drywall screws. They're too think to just shoot in there or the MDF will split apart in layers like phone book pages. Use a new fine toothed saw blade to cut it, you'll get less "shred" on the ends.
Wow, being a metalhead, I never thought I'd explain to someone how to cut down on the shred LOL

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Tom

"The more people I meet, the more I like my snakes"