Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Has anyone tried using roll-on liquid truck bedliner to coat the insides of cages? The stuff is available in textured and smooth and is tough as nails. If so, what were the results?
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Freshwater fish keepers have used it with good success. I read about one guy who built a bunch of 4x8x4 vats in his garage sealed with nothing more than roll-on truck bed liner at $40 per gallon. I gather they held water for a few years and then he sold them to somebody else and they continued to hold water after the move.

Reptile Gardens has a couple of arboreal cages sealed with Rhino-Liner, a professional spray-on product. That finish seems extremely durable, albeit quite expensive.

One problem is that nothing sticks to it so you have to pretty much make sure it's your final coat and don't need to silicone anything to it. I know a bunch of fish keepers tried to make plywood aquaria from it but found they could not silicone glass over their openings.

I also recommend shopping around for one of the products that rolls on smooth for ease of cleaning. Most roll on with texture.
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Currently keeping a small collection of various Gonyosoma. Both G. janseni and G. oxycephala.

Does this only come in black? Sounds like a good covering for the cage without needing to use concrete over the plywood.
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DZ

"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." -- George Orwell

No, it comes in a lot of colors. Spend some time on Ebay to see some of the different products. If you can find a two-part product that will give you the most durability.

One thing to consider, assuming your slab is insulated, is to pour another floor over an electric radiant heat system. They you would not need to build a sub-floor.
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Currently keeping a small collection of various Gonyosoma. Both G. janseni and G. oxycephala.

I don't like the idea of electric underfloor heating. I bought about 20 feet of the 12 inch stuff. I wired it and it didn't seem to put out much heat. I'm also afraid of the fire hazard. I think I gave it away.
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DZ

"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." -- George Orwell

I won't give out much heat unless there is a way for heat to move out of it conductively, which it can't do if it's just wired and not set in concrete.

Regardless, if it's not within your comfort zone then definitely do not use it.
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Currently keeping a small collection of various Gonyosoma. Both G. janseni and G. oxycephala.

Wired in concrete? Sounds allot more safe than I thought. If insulated beneath with R19 insulation, how thick would the concrete need to be in order to support the weight of the snake up to say 200 pounds and still thin enough to transfer the heat. What if it stops working?
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DZ

"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." -- George Orwell

Actually I think most of the electric systems are intended to be in a thin motar bed under tile, so I'm not entirely sure. I think you could lay down some foam, pour a raised floor and then put the electric heat in the top layer.

Or you could do a hydronic system for a small area, which is safe and very efficient. I know they are available for small areas but don't know if you then need a larger water heater.
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Currently keeping a small collection of various Gonyosoma. Both G. janseni and G. oxycephala.

Can't multiple RHP's heat the cage sufficiently if insulated properly?
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DZ

"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." -- George Orwell

Yes. In fact RHP's are often used to heat homes and come in large sizes.

One thing I like about the use of a RHP in this situation is that you can take it with you if you ever move. If you don't take it with you it still adds value to the home, especially if it's in a basement.
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Currently keeping a small collection of various Gonyosoma. Both G. janseni and G. oxycephala.

I am currently using a 12X18 in his 6 foot cage. I have a 48X24 I ordered a year ago still sitting un-opened in the box waiting for the new build. How many more do you think I'll need? I guess I could also contact Bob at Pro-Products.
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DZ

"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." -- George Orwell

I think Bob recommended two, 48" panels for my 9 x 17 snake room. I would call him.
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Currently keeping a small collection of various Gonyosoma. Both G. janseni and G. oxycephala.

Some of the pro companies have portable units and can spray on site. You might look into this. My first choice would be Line-X.
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Currently keeping a small collection of various Gonyosoma. Both G. janseni and G. oxycephala.

>>Has anyone tried using roll-on liquid truck bedliner to coat the insides of cages? The stuff is available in textured and smooth and is tough as nails. If so, what were the results?

I used to use roll on bedliner, for sub-boxes. Cheaper than felt, .

One thing I noticed is that the product doesn't hide minor wood imperfections, infact it sort of enhances them. I would suggest filling and sanding (putty) the surface to create a well preprared surface prior to application.

Cheers
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Jeremy

"I am become death, the destroyer of worlds" July 16, 1945 Robert Oppenheimer

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well if ur just using it as a ... pan? just covering the bottom and a couple inches up wouldn't the fact that it how's wood flaws be no biggy?

>>well if ur just using it as a ... pan? just covering the bottom and a couple inches up wouldn't the fact that it how's wood flaws be no biggy?

Maybe for you, I however don't like spending a great deal of time cleaning. I can't imagine how long it would take to effectivly clean urates and fecal material out of tiny cracks in corners or gaps in material.

I am an advocate of smooth material for interior surfaces.

Of course thats just my opinion....

I agree cleaning cracks isn't a fun time.. but that's where silicone comes in right? what is your ideal perfect liner for such cages?

>>I agree cleaning cracks isn't a fun time.. but that's where silicone comes in right? what is your ideal perfect liner for such cages?

Actually I would use sandable caulk prior to appling the liner, or any type of wood filler would work great.

There is no such thing as a perfect liner, so I'm glad you didn't ask...

However I have yet to use anything I would call ideal either, infact I've been driven to the point where I may be calling Jeff Ronne....
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Jeremy

"I am become death, the destroyer of worlds" July 16, 1945 Robert Oppenheimer

0.1 Snow "Khal" RTB
1.1 Double Het "Sharp" Snow RTB's
1.1 Hypomelenistic RTB's
0.2 Pastel Hypo RTB's
0.1 Suriname RTB
0.1 Anerthrystic RTB
3.6 Red Bearded Dragon's
1.0 Ball Python
1.1 Cream Golden Retrieviers
1.0 Pomeriaian
0.3 Catus Terribilis
0.1 Spouse
1.0.1 Child