Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am planning as of right now to get a pair of argus/flavi crosses. I want to build a cage that is 8'x 4'x 4' out of plywood and 2x4's. I want the entire cage to have about 2' of dirt so they can dig which they apparently love to do. How should I treat the bottom of the cage which will have the slightly moist dirt on it? Would latex exterior paint do good enough or should I use something else? I saw on a website that you can use something called marine resin to seal it. Where would I find this stuff? Thanks for any help, Lucas

there is a 2 part epoxy used to seal wood for boats made by West Systems that works really well. If there is a boat repair place near you, or a place that provides fibreglass materials they may carry it.

Don't use a brush, but spread it around with the edge of a flat piece of plastic.

Hi
I used a two part epoxy PAINT. It is expensive, and requires an expensive primer before you paint the bare wood. It took a month to cure. The fumes almost made me pass out, and I did it outside! Did I mention it took forever to dry? For-EV-ER.

But, after using some silicone sealant on the edges, I can now use the bottoms of my cages for fish!
I used the good stuff, two feet up. For the top parts, I used untinted latex primer. It is cheap, and I can splash on another coat whenever it gets too dirty or scratched.
D.

the 2 part epoxy I was referring to doesn't require a primer, takes between 4 to 24 hours to cure (depending on temperature and airflow) and barely gives off a noticeable smell while curing, nothing at all once cured. Once cured it is tough as nails (or claws) and is fully waterproof.

Epoxy paint is great stuff (and the mfrs know it, ca. $50/gal), but it will require twice as much as you estimate (it goes on like cream cheese), and will smell for a long time. The types I've used need to air out for AT LEAST a month before you'd want to put animals in the enclosure.

Two alternatives: find a boat repair place with a fiberglass spraygun unit and tote your cage there, or apply formica to the inner surfaces (before you assemble the cage), and seal the corners with silicone or epoxy.

the epoxy that I am referring to, West Systems, has the consistency of liquid honey (perhaps a little less viscous) and, if spread with a spreader rather than a brush goes a long long way. I used a gallon to seal an 8x8x4 foot cage, even adding woven fibreglass to the floor and lower sides (by soaking it with the epoxy). It cured in a day, didn't smell much while curing (slightly nutty smell) and stopped smelling as soon as it cured.

the resin normally used with fibreglass, polyester, offgases (gives off fumes) for a long while after curing.

why not just cover it with something that can withstand better to moisture then wood? Like use FRP board or bathroom wall paneling and seal the corners well with silicone?

Thats what I have used and it works good, I also have some cages with sheets of metal along the sides and bottom. The kind of metal sheets used for the bottom of screened in rooms. They sell them at lowes or home depot.

Good luck
Jody