Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I was interested in building an iguana cage probably out of melamine as It is SUPPOSEDLY very resilient to humidity... I read a post and it was saying the whitish coating on some melamine isn't good or something like that and that is all that they sell at my stores so I am a bit conflicted... What else can I build out of which wont require extensive maintnence/cost/building tools?

I liked the melamine because I could pretty much buy 4-5 sheets, cut one, drill them, screw them together, put in doors, put hardware cloth on ceiling and be done... Which would be very low work but If I have to buy wood in segments it will get much more complicated especially if I have to seal and stuff (which I have no idea on how to do.

Iguanas require very high humidity properly (80 is optimal)

If melamaine will still work how does this design sound?
2 large sheets for back (I think I hear they come in 4x8)
1 Sheet for both sides
One cut for bottom
Linolum tile on bottom (for ease of cleaning)
2 sets of tracks that go across the front (so I can slide over)
2 Sheets of plexiglass
Hardware cloth for top (for fixtures)

How much would this run me? Thanks

Melamine and humidity, water and oil neither mix. What you could do though is get a sheet of freezer board and line the bottom and
sides of the cage. Freezer board is a plastic board usualy found in the plywood area of home supply centers. Here is how this works, say your substrate is 6" deep mulch which holds moisture well. I would line the bottom of the cage and 8" up the sides. You glue it down with panel adhesive and caulk the seams. As the mulch dries out you add water accordingly. Thin sheets of plexi glass work just as well. This will add many years of life to your enclosure. well worth the added cost and labor. If tou feel so inclined you could line the inside of the cage making it completely water resistant and very easy to keep clean. Goodluck.

And what if I am not using a traditional substrate? (I was going to use linolum tile for ease of cleaning and no impaction/poisoning)

A traditional substrate allows for a moist enviroment. I suppose you could run a humidfier in the enclosure. As far Impactions go these animals in the wild consume a considerable amount of foreign debris. Some foreign debris actually aids in the digestive process such as small stones/gravel. You asked the question. Goodluck, Clint.

The iguana I will be getting is probably going to be young, and they are more prone to impaction at a young age, I really don't want to argue care. I just wanted to know if melamine would work for what I wanted

it sounds....big!

you won't need to cut for the bottom if i read correctly...

2--4foot x 8 foot panels on the back is an 8x8 foot square
1 full 4 foot x 8 foot sheet for each side
meand the bottom would also be a full 4 foot b 8 foot sheet

total cage size 8foot tall 8 foot wide 4 foot deep=big cage

scott

Oh your right, I meant one panel for the back lol. I was going to cut off the top 2 feet as well, just incase I have to move it, not to mention would get annoying if (s)he went to the top of the 8 feet lol