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Which one is better when it's exposed to constant moisture, such as in my chondros cage? Will formica break down like melamine, or will it be stronger than the FRP? I know the FRP will probably be easier to install than formica...but also in the chondros cage I have the bare frame bottom - will I need to have a solid bottom to lay formica on? If so then thats out.

The reason i'm asking is because I saw tonight at home depot a big roll of it marked dwon from $100 to $50.
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-Chris

The reason mainstream thought is thought of as a stream is because it's so shallow. -George Carlin

A fool doesn't learn. A smart man learns from his mistakes. A wise man learns from the mistakes of others. Which one are you?

My Website
Rat/Corn snake care sheet I wrote

Current snakes:
0.1 Licorice Stick Black Rat (Lola)
1.0 Black Rat (Frankie)
1.1 Texas Bairds (Jose and Rosa)
0.1 Blue Beauty (Brunhilde)
1.0 Green Tree Python (Claudius)... coming soon

You will need to have a hard surface( plywood ) under formica. Otherwise you'll crack it.MDF will fall apart in humid conditions.
$50 is the usual price for a cheap ( meaning plain ) 4'x8' sheet.
It will not break down. Have you ever seen countertops disolve? Even near a sink? It is durable stuff, easy to keep clean. And if it were'nt for the price, and the fact it's a bit harder to work with, I'd use formica instead of FRP.

>>Which one is better when it's exposed to constant moisture, such as in my chondros cage?

Well FRP will be "better", but both will be pretty good.

>>Will formica break down like melamine, or will it be stronger than the FRP?

Neither.

>>I know the FRP will probably be easier to install than formica...but also in the chondros cage I have the bare frame bottom - will I need to have a solid bottom to lay formica on? If so then thats out.

Both have their difficulties. FRP is a pain to cut but easier to install.

I would want a solid bottom for the formica.

You know what my vote would be. Expanded PVC is cheaper, easier to cut and install anc is more attractive than FRP (although not as attractive as some Formica colors).

1/4" for over the frames, 1/8" for everything else.

Have you looked for it?
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Current snakes:

1.1 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Silver/Yellow)

3.4 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Green)

2.1 Gonyosoma janseni - (Black)

I already have the FRP...can't it just be cut with a regular combination blade? I'd guess the problem with cutting it would only be fact it will try and bend. I had the idea tonight to line the places in the chondro cage where seams will be with 6 mil polyethylene sheeting - just some double protection. Staple/glue it to the floor, then glue the FRP to the plastic and wood. Then run my bead of silicone along the seam.

I talked to that person who made the cage where you posted the scorched pvc link to...s/he just used window and door silicone 2 and gave it a 2 week offgas time, then let the chondros in...and s/he's built a lot of cages this way. so does that sound like a decent time frame for an offgas, and decent product to use?

Thanks again,
Chris
-----
-Chris

The reason mainstream thought is thought of as a stream is because it's so shallow. -George Carlin

A fool doesn't learn. A smart man learns from his mistakes. A wise man learns from the mistakes of others. Which one are you?

My Website
Rat/Corn snake care sheet I wrote

Current snakes:
0.1 Licorice Stick Black Rat (Lola)
1.0 Black Rat (Frankie)
1.1 Texas Bairds (Jose and Rosa)
0.1 Blue Beauty (Brunhilde)
1.0 Green Tree Python (Claudius)... coming soon

>>I already have the FRP...can't it just be cut with a regular combination blade?

It can, but I still hate dealing with fiberglass dust. I seem to be especially sensitive to fiberglass dust.

>>I had the idea tonight to line the places in the chondro cage where seams will be with 6 mil polyethylene sheeting - just some double protection.

Absolutely overkill, trust me. If anything it will prevent the back of the FRP from making good contact with the wood and allow it to flex over time, therby stressing your silicone joints.

Go ahead and use the FRP for the chondro cage and the floors of the colubrid cages if you already have it.
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Current snakes:

1.1 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Silver/Yellow)

3.4 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Green)

2.1 Gonyosoma janseni - (Black)

I still prefer formica. I feel it is more than durable enough to withstand the constant moisture.
It is more expensive than FRP. I think I favor it because you have more color options.
It is more difficult to work with.
I would not however use a combination blade on a FRP.
I would use a laminate blade so it does'nt chip the crap out of it. Blades nowadays are cheap enough. Especially for a circular saw.
And be sure to wear long sleeves, and a mask to protect yourself from fiberglass.Especially in the dust manner.