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go to start biulding my cage this weekend, have a few questions

herpluver Mar 19, 2004 04:51 PM

its for a sav, have had him a a trough but time to upgrade to a perm cage. so what is the best and safest sealant for the wood ( so it won't rot with the dirt on it) and speaking of dirt what is the best way of steralizing it? wife said i can use oven but that would take forever and probibly smell, or do i even need to steralize it? if you have any tips to make this easier please chime in, although it should be easy, easier is always better.

Replies (4)

crocdoc2 Mar 19, 2004 07:35 PM

Sealing the wood:
People on these forums have posted about using different substances and materials with success. Many use FRP (fibre reinforced plastic) sheets to line the inside. I haven't tried this (may not even be available where I am) but have used a 2-part epoxy and found it to work very well. The particular one I have used is called West Systems and is normally used to seal boats.

Sterilising the dirt:
You shouldn't have to sterilise the dirt and most consider it unnecessary.

Oscar Parsons Mar 20, 2004 01:18 AM

I'd use 100% silicon on the joints. Homedepot has FRP and I can show you where. If you have the cash to spend on it, go for it, seal it, and it'll look pretty sharp and be fairly water resistant.

As for the dirt, I don't think you'd need to sterilize it.As long as there aren't nasty critters living it you'll be fine. Good luck!

herpluver Mar 20, 2004 01:25 PM

i think i'm going to use the plastic stock tank he is in now and biuld arount it. make it higher, take off the hardware cloth and put a door on the front of it. what do you think? also it has a drain biult in , what would i need to do to make it function? i mean add "gravel" at the bottem? or larger rocks? should i still seal all the exposed plywood? it won't be exposed the moister, but i've heard it contains some glue that could be harmful?

Oscar Parsons Mar 20, 2004 11:54 PM

My savannah has never really utilized the height I've given her, she doesn't seem interested in it either. Maybe yours will. I'd put the tank, on some blocks or something to get the drain up off the ground so you could put a bucket or something under it, I'd also put in a bit of a dam so you could use it as his water dish, and then put dirt on the other side, you can seal the plywood I suppose but I haven't had any issues with hobbers and her plywood, but I painted it, and waited until it aired out to put her in.

I could use some pinks sometime

Oscar

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