Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello all,
I'm new here and have a question. I am looking to buy my first tortoise here soon and have done a ton of research on the topic. I am about to build my table cage and found that potting benches work well and are easily converted. I found a great one at this address (http://store.yahoo.com/outdoorwoodenfurniture/co.html) but it is cedar. I have read the post forums about cedar being toxic when it is used as a substrate, would a cage made out of it be as toxic? Any help would be greatly appreciated. I won't order the bench until I hear back.
Thanks
Mandy

You could paint the structure with urethane for water proofing, or, have acrylic sheets cut to measure at a Home Depot or the like, and line with these. Acrylic sheets can be 'glued' together with a liquid, that basically melts the seems together. You could finish off with aquarium sealer afterwards.
This is, how we lined our redfoot enclosure (which has an acrylic dome too, to keep humidity in), because they need very high levels of humidity.
For an arid species the open tortoise table / potting bench type should be appropriate. And once sealed (with urethane) the type of wood should be of no concern. It is using the cedar shavings as a substrate, that is not recommended.
Hope that helps,
Gaby