Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I was looking to purchase a galvanized trough (8’ x 3' x 2') for my yearling, fast growing Savannah. Since I am in New York I was unable to locate a trough in the dimensions I am looking for or one that was within a reasonable driving range.

I found one internet site that would charge $200 for the trough and $200 for shipping. That was way too much!

I have decided to now build a cage out of Plywood and 2x4's. I figure I can make a very nice sized cage still while being cost effective. The cage will be filled with soil for burrowing so this cage must be waterproof and non corrosive. Does anyone have any suggestions on what I could line the cage with? I was thinking to put silicone on the joints then getting a silicon clear coat and putting multiple coats. I am worried about smell, toxicity, sustainability so I am unsure. If I am going in the complete wrong direction does anyone have or know where to find a quality cage design?

I have seen some online but nothing worthy of producing. I would love to have a huge enclosure for him/her that met all needs.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

Eric

This picture is about 3 months old, he/she got huge since then.

Many people will tell you a plywood enclosure will rot in time. People here have tried that already. Some have had luck lining it with FRP. If you are going for the ultimate longevity, don't use wood.

I made a cage like you are stating, and lined it with coats and coats of fiberglass resin. It lasted for 7 years until I got rid of it and chopped it up. That was made from cheap-o press board.

I'm sure if you do it right you can make one that will last for quite some time, but not forever. It will fail eventually.

Mine is made from 2x4's and masonite, and i do not expect it to last more than 3 years. Plus, another downside to masonite/wood sides is that crickets/ other insects can climb it. i am sure your sav is past the 'dumping in 50 crickets' stage but mine was not when i put her in the new cage and it was the biggest pain in the rectum cause i would have to sit there and bat the crickets off the sides with a ruler until she ate every single one lol. just something to think about. other than that the cage has worked great. i basically just constructed a box that is about 6x6 and suspended the heat lamp over the top of it. i use eco earth substrate.

/

Use melamine ... you can get it at any home depot. Its a little on the pricey side (compared to plywood) but well worth it. It will last forever and is a lot less work then applying coats upon coats of some type of resin.

Dont use melamine, its far overpriced for a cage and wont last a few years even. I tried it once, even sealed everything multiple times, the surface of melamine is porous, it allows some moisture into it all of the time, its not very strong, and most of all it is HEAVY!
I used almost 1 inch thick plywood and coated the inside with FRP, the wood is still fine years later, the FRP is easy to cut or have cut with the wood it will be applied to. Seal the corners with silicone 2.
In fact the melamine cage I had wouldnt hold up to a big monitors claws. They burrow underground and keep digging through until the side swells and almost falls apart from moisture.
Troughs can be bought in steel (galvanized), or heavy duty plastic (more expensive). There is even a 32"X40"X120" trough available through one supplier. In stel its pretty cheap, if you have medium to small monitors.

The trough would cost you $400, yeah that is alot for a trough. In all reality though, how much do you think your going to spend making a similar cage with wood, sealing, putting in electrical, and just making everything work well together?

Then down the road, what will repairs cost?

Perhaps you really are better off spending the $400 for the galvanized trough, and simply doing what FR did with the galvanized tubing, sheet metal, and some type of macrolon or lexan. No doubt it will be more expensive, but wouldnt it also be primarilly maintenance free, very light, highly modular, and it will last pretty much forever.

I made an enclosure just like his utilizing the galvanized pipe, and other materials, the trouble I saved myself working with wood is surely worth it. (worth it TO ME maybe its not for you, hey whatever)

Goodluck,
Mike.

Melamine won't last forever. Buy a trough for longevity.