Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My man and I recently purchased and moved into a new home, but since its so small, there wasn't room for 4 aquariums, so a friend of mine built me a custom enclosure... Of course, I'm finding things I want to change about it already, but I've got other things to worry about first, in the mean time, my snakes seem happy..

And the new place...

On a side note, having to go back to dial-up is driving me insane... Oh well, living in the middle of nowhere is worth the hassle...
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~Maggie~

"Not one shred of evidence supports the notion that life is serious."
1.1 Cal Kings (Spot and Fry)
1.0 Florida King (Gamble)
1.0 Ball Python (Mitch)
0.1 Red Belly Piranha (Fluffy)
1.0 Australian Shepherd (Spooky)
1.0 Springer Spaniel/Beagle mix (Snoopy)
0.1 Cat (Ecco)

The new place looks nice! I like the natural wood look to it. The cage is very nice also. It looks like it could use a drip guard (or whatever they call it) to black the shavings from falling out when you open the door. Is that one of the things you wanted to change?
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Looks like a great place. I lived in a small house at one time and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Had a lot of peace.
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www.Bluerosy.com

I'm guessing the small place was before you were married and had kids? lol...

I'm liking the small house, its easier to keep clean, and with 21 acres, I've got lots of room to exercise my new horse and my dog...
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~Maggie~

"Not one shred of evidence supports the notion that life is serious."
1.1 Cal Kings (Spot and Fry)
1.0 Florida King (Gamble)
1.0 Ball Python (Mitch)
0.1 Red Belly Piranha (Fluffy)
1.0 Australian Shepherd (Spooky)
1.0 Springer Spaniel/Beagle mix (Snoopy)
0.1 Cat (Ecco)
0.1 Mountain Horse (Sandy)

Thanks, I love the hemlock siding on the house, it makes it look cool...

And yeah, I need a ledge on the inside of the doors, and I need to reseal the shelves... they're plywood and I oiled them to keep them nice, but they're hard to clean, so I need to change that...

any ideas?
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~Maggie~

"Not one shred of evidence supports the notion that life is serious."
1.1 Cal Kings (Spot and Fry)
1.0 Florida King (Gamble)
1.0 Ball Python (Mitch)
0.1 Red Belly Piranha (Fluffy)
1.0 Australian Shepherd (Spooky)
1.0 Springer Spaniel/Beagle mix (Snoopy)
0.1 Cat (Ecco)
0.1 Mountain Horse (Sandy)

Maggie,...

If you very accurately cut some very thin(1/32nd inch or so) plastic/rubber laminate, or even "Formica" that has a slight texture to it on a table saw, or just use a strait edge with circular saw , this can be placed on the bottom and even up the sides(recommended) for a totally waterproof barrier. The "slight" texture also helps eliminate the substrate from being pushed around by the snake like it's on ice. One problem though!.....since the plywood is now oiled,that creates a whole different problem.

To get around this, insert another accurately cut piece of very thin plywood(1/4"inch), or even a "door skin"(1/8"inch) and screw this on TOP of the original "oiled" wood. This will give you a nice "virgin" wood surface to apply the thin laminate I mentioned earlier. You must use a water-based adhesive, and not one that will give off harmfull fumes afterwards. There are many of these sold at home Depot/Lowe's. etc...in caulk tube form. That is also where I bought the thin laminate I used to build a big boa breeding cage. It has worked out fabulous.

Anyhow, this is something that will indeed work well for you, and is very easy to do. don/t forgert to run a nice thin bead of latex/silicone-based adhesive caulk around the inside corners, then swipe with your finger for nice finished waterproof edge.

best regards, ~Doug

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"Better to be silent and thought a fool, than to open mouth and remove any doubt!"

If you use the very thin pliable rubberized/plastic laminate I mentioned, which is much cheaper than Formica, this can easily be cut with a utility knife and a good straight-edge instead of a saw.But you'll still need a saw for the other plywood part of the installation.

~Doug
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"Better to be silent and thought a fool, than to open mouth and remove any doubt!"

Sweet, I'll give that a shot... I just used a thin coat of cooking oil to seal the wood so the water wouldn't destroy it until I got something better, so hopefully it won't interfere to badly...

I thought about using plexiglass to cover the wood, but I hadn't thought about needing a texture to it... Thanks for the idea...

I'll post updates when I get it done...
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~Maggie~

"Not one shred of evidence supports the notion that life is serious."
1.1 Cal Kings (Spot and Fry)
1.0 Florida King (Gamble)
1.0 Ball Python (Mitch)
0.1 Red Belly Piranha (Fluffy)
1.0 Australian Shepherd (Spooky)
1.0 Springer Spaniel/Beagle mix (Snoopy)
0.1 Cat (Ecco)
0.1 Mountain Horse (Sandy)

If done just how things were mentioned, it can easily turn out looking very professionally finished quality.

If you counter-sink slightly to allow for the heads of the wood screws, it will make for a good smooth, flush wood finish that the water-based glue can adhere the laminate to nicely without any lumps at ALL.

good luck!, ~Doug
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"Better to be silent and thought a fool, than to open mouth and remove any doubt!"

ENVIOUS of the new place- looks like heaven!

I'm going to be living in a place like that when I retire!

//Todd

Why wait till retirement? We're in our mid 20's, so we both have the energy to do all the work involved... Although if I keep spending money like I have been lately, I'll never be able to retire....
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~Maggie~

"Not one shred of evidence supports the notion that life is serious."
1.1 Cal Kings (Spot and Fry)
1.0 Florida King (Gamble)
1.0 Ball Python (Mitch)
0.1 Red Belly Piranha (Fluffy)
1.0 Australian Shepherd (Spooky)
1.0 Springer Spaniel/Beagle mix (Snoopy)
0.1 Cat (Ecco)
0.1 Mountain Horse (Sandy)

The new place looks great Maggie, I like the covered front porch.. Ill bet it's great place to watch a thunderstorm.. And, unlike me living in the middle of NY suburbia, you dont have to deal with crazy neighbors!

The new enclosure looks good too!

~ Mike Russo

Thanks Mike,

I love the porch, but I haven't had a chance to watch any good storms yet... As for livin in suburbia, ya, I couldn't do it, between crazy neighbors and no room for my horse, I'd go insane...

And I think these guys are a little spoiled with all the space they have to run...

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~Maggie~

"Not one shred of evidence supports the notion that life is serious."
1.1 Cal Kings (Spot and Fry)
1.0 Florida King (Gamble)
1.0 Ball Python (Mitch)
0.1 Red Belly Piranha (Fluffy)
1.0 Australian Shepherd (Spooky)
1.0 Springer Spaniel/Beagle mix (Snoopy)
0.1 Cat (Ecco)
0.1 Mountain Horse (Sandy)