Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My 11 year old iguana recently passed away and I would like to reuse her cage instead of just tearing it down. It is 6.5 x 4.5 x 8 feet tall. I would like to move a 6' Colombian Boa into this after some modifications. Since it is screen I will probably cover the walls with a combination of plexiglass and plywood to maintain humidity. Heating will be a combination of heat tape and radiant panels. The floor is my biggest concern. Since my Iggy was potty trained I never installed a floor. My boa, however makes a heck of a mess and I want to keep that off my carpet. Was thinking of a plywood subfloor supported by 2x4's. Then I could use linoleum over that to water proof it. How does this sound? Any other ideas or suggestions?

-----
0.0.1 Hypo Corn
0.1 Ball Python
1.0 Colombian Red Tail Boa
0.1 Gray Banded Kingsnake
0.1 Green Iguana

Sounds like a good idea, but i would add sides to the floor, like a litter dam all the way around, then linoleum that also, and fill it with substrate.
I do have a question for you. How come you say you are going to panel the cage in to keep humidity high? Was it not humid enough for the iguana? Not bashing you, I just dont understand how iggys need high humidity, and everyone keeps them in screen.

Not bashing you, I just dont understand how iggys need high humidity, and everyone keeps them in screen.

I realize now that it's not seen in the photo but there is a small humidifier mounted on the wall outside the cage with it's output directed at the basking log under the spot light, which was her favorite perch. I used the screen so she would have even more areas to climb.

I have just about finished the new subfloor using 1/2" plywood over 2x4's on 16" centers, and had already planned to incorporate the litter dam. Any ideas on sealing the floor? Will the linoleum be sufficient or does anyone have a better idea? I had considered using an epoxy sealer designed for garage floors but the expense, plus the flex of the floor when walking on it dissuaded me.
-----
0.0.1 Normal Corn
0.1 Ball Python
1.0 Colombian Red Tail Boa
0.1 Gray Banded Kingsnake
0.1 Green Iguana

I used some fiberglass boat repair stuff on a cage for my savannah monitor a few years ago. It went on easy with a brush and hardened like rock afterwards, sealing everything perfectly. That cage lasted for years, never swelled or anything. There was topsoil substrate, very damp too.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0006N5EHU/ref=nosim/?tag=yahoo-tools06-20&creative=380333&creativeASIN=B0006N5EHU&linkCode=asn

^^^^ There you go, just brush it on...

You know I thought about that but was concerned about it cracking since it is a walk in cage. Do you think it would hold up?
-----
0.0.1 Normal Corn
0.1 Ball Python
1.0 Colombian Red Tail Boa
0.1 Gray Banded Kingsnake
0.1 Green Iguana

Some epoxy floor paints are more flexible than others, although I'm not sure which is which anymore since this part of the market has really exploded in the past few years. I think vinyl flooring is good enough and something you should be able to get for cheap or even free if you are patient.
-----
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)

What about the fiberglass resin? Do you think it would hold up without cracking?
-----
0.0.1 Normal Corn
0.1 Ball Python
1.0 Colombian Red Tail Boa
0.1 Gray Banded Kingsnake
0.1 Green Iguana

absolutely. Fiberglass is very strong, and you said the floor you had was framed 16oc with plywood on top? if so, you will have no problem with it cracking. when my sav died, and i cut the cage up, you wouldnt believe how tough that stuff was. the particle board was breaking around it, like it was a shell. i really think this is your best choice. if you are still concerned you could apply it even heavier, or add kittyhair (thin strengthening fibers, added to the resin, hence fiberglass)to it to make it strong like a boat hull, lol...

Sounds perfect. I found this stuff for about $30/gallon on eBay. Hopefully that will be enough for 30 sq. ft. Should I cover the heat tape with the fiberglass? Sounds like a good way to waterproof it also.
-----
0.0.1 Normal Corn
0.1 Ball Python
1.0 Colombian Red Tail Boa
0.1 Gray Banded Kingsnake
0.1 Green Iguana

I'm not a big fan of polyester resin, although if done right it is very strong and fairly affordable. To avoid cracking you'll absolutely need to put down fiberglass matt or cloth which and even then the polyester resin is known for crazing, which basically means it forms a series of micro cracks over time. I guess I just don't see the need for polyester resin plus fiberglass for this project.

With a plywood substrate I would be more inclined to use some sort of epoxy that does not require fiberglass reinforcement. That's if the sheeting idea does not work for you for some reason.
-----
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)

So whether I go with epoxy or fiberglass would it hurt to seal the heat tape underneath it?
-----
0.0.1 Normal Corn
0.1 Ball Python
1.0 Colombian Red Tail Boa
0.1 Gray Banded Kingsnake
0.1 Green Iguana

I don't know if it would "hurt", but personally I'd want to have access to it.
-----
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)

Have you ever tried Rustoleum epoxy garage/basemeant sealer? It is a 2 part water based sealer used on concrete, though I have read that it works just fine on wood. Anyway I think i'm going to give it a try. I planned on siliconing all joints before painting/sealing and was unsure if the epoxy would adhere to the silicone. Any thoughts on the subject?
-----
0.0.1 Normal Corn
0.1 Ball Python
1.0 Colombian Red Tail Boa
0.1 Gray Banded Kingsnake
0.1 Green Iguana

No, but the waterborne epoxy paints have come a long way in the past several years and most are very good. If you try it and it fails the worst case scenario is that you just cover the entire floor with linoleum or something similar. I don't think it's a bad idea to try it.

Definitely do not silicone first and paint over that. Instead paint and the apply silicone. If you really want to seal first you'll need to use a paintable caulk. Many of these are solvent based but in a large cage with a layer of epoxy over them I would not consider them to be a huge concern. Vulkem is one that I've used with good success in years past. I don't know if they use the same formulation or not. But if you're worried about it then use silicone and apply it last.

Back to the two part epoxies, I have heard good things about a product called Hydro-Seal 75.
-----
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)

Hope you're still checking this thread...

I saw some plywood cages today that were sealed with a layer of spray-on truck bed liner. The cages were a few years old and even with rocks on the floor and regular spraying were still in great shape. I never would have guessed they were that old. The guy is going to look up the exact product he used. I can let you know if you're interested and once I find out.

There are DIY liner kits available, but I don't believe they are as durable as the stuff sprayed on by professionals. In your case you might need to take a sheet of plywood to a sprayer and have them do it for you off-site.

Or you can look into the DIY stuff and see if there is one known for its durability. Some of these have a natural texture which I think would be a pain to clean. The cages I saw had a slick and glossy finish.
-----
Currently keeping a small collection of various Gonyosoma. Both G. janseni and G. oxycephala.

Check the rating on the tape. It may say not to encase it in anything. I know some heat tapes are used under tile floors or even in driveways/walkways, they are very durable. Just research the brand a little.