Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm hoping that some more experienced carpenter/herpers can give me some input regarding this issue of converting furniture (armiors/dressers, etc.) into cages. I keep primarily small to medium sized lizards and am longing for more attractive enclosures. Something more aesthetic would also make it easier to convince the wife to allow more herps in the house.
My main concern is the heat from lights, etc. What kind of fire hazards are we looking at in using wood enclosures and what kind of precautions can be taken here?
Secondly, How long do you guys recommend to let something offgas if the interior is sealed using fiberglass resin/epoxy?

Thanks a bunch for any and all input!

Matt

1 quick fact your post made me think about. I searched the net, and found out that woods' flashpoint, the point at which is would catch fire due to excessive heat exposure, is at 900 degrees F. So, I think that fire concerns with lights inside cabinets basically come down to common sense. Proper ventilation and medium wattage bulbs should maintain the temps you need, with no worries about spontaneous combustion. This is with bare wood though. Keep in mind, if you've treated it with anything like epoxy, latex paint or varnishes or what have you, they will have different properties and might combust at a lower temp.
I have NO usefull information about offgassing. I'll let the others with experience take over on that one.
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Tom
TCJ Herps
"The more people I meet, the more I like my snakes"

....that's a great point about the flashpoint of wood. Thanks for that!

I still remember seeing my first Tribolonotus back when they first came into the country. Awesome lizards, even now that they are common.

Don't worry too much about heat from light fixtures, etc. Remember that powerful halogen fixtures are more or less attached directly to homes with wood siding. I guess when it comes to lighting or heating any individual cage let us know what species it is for and how large/tall the cage is. How to go about this will likely vary based on those factors.

Epoxy/fiberglass resins can vary on how long they offgass. Heat is an obvious factor as well as the type and quantity of activator that is mixed in.

But another factor is how many coats are applied and how thick they are applied. Be patient and apply a few thin coats rather than one thick coat.

It can still take months.

Also, if you want attractive enclosures I think there are better resins than fiberglass which yellows too much, IMO. It's also hard to get smooth. And surpringly, fiberglass is not any cheaper than other epoxies.
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Current snakes:

0.1 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Silver/Yellow)

1.2 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Green)

7.6 Gonyosoma janseni - (Black)

0.1 Gonyosoma janseni - (Black & Tan)

I only recently discovered Tribilonotus (about a year ago, maybe a little more) and am having a great time.

Thanks for the info, too. My main concern was the heat from the lamps that might be used because, more likely than an enclosure for a specific animal, what I'd probably be doing is using a large piece of furniture converted to contain multiple smaller enclosures. Like a herp entertainment center, so to speak.

Matt

Hi Chris,

I know this is a little off topic but I went to the Tampa show this past weekend. Ben Seigal had some adult Black-Tailed Janseni. The were price fair at $150 each. I see you collection is exploding with them. I hope you produce some CBB specimens as I'd love to have some again.
Frank

Actually I'm down to one of the Black-Tailed Janseni - just updated my signature today.

I've decided to focus on the all-black Jaseni and the G. oxycephala.

But I will contact some of my friends and let them know. I just heard today that some had come in.
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Current snakes:

0.1 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Silver/Yellow)

1.2 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Green)

7.6 Gonyosoma janseni - (Black)

0.1 Gonyosoma janseni - (Black & Tan)

Have you ever heard of a boa called Ungaliophis panamensis? I'm trying to get a collection of these going as I've acquired a nice collection of "dwarf boas" and I'd like to add new species.

I can't find anyone that imports them.

Anyway, I'm finally getting my bosch 4000. This summer is going to be filled with cage and rack building. I hope to advance my carpentry skills.

My wife who when I met her was terrified of herps now goes to the shows with me and is interested in torts. So I'm going to be building a series of tort tables. I'm thinking kind like a bunk bed arrangement. Any ideas?

Frank

>>Have you ever heard of a boa called Ungaliophis panamensis?

I think Ungaliophis are amazing snakes. Try not to to read/think to much about them as to avoid temptation Alas, I can't say I know anything about U. panamensis.

Regarding the tortises, we just bought a house that has a huge area blocked in by retaining walls that would be perfect for tortises. I do need to worry about winters, obviously, so I'll need a tortise table or sorts myself.

I was thinking about building mine around those super large tubs from Vision. I really want something I can take outside and clean the heck out of since tortise feces can be especially nasty. I assume they're still made but I've not asked for sure.

Did you get my e-mail? I sent one through the KS messenger service. I don't know if you're set up with that or not.
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Current snakes:

0.1 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Silver/Yellow)

1.2 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Green)

7.6 Gonyosoma janseni - (Black)

0.1 Gonyosoma janseni - (Black & Tan)

Chris,
The vision tubs sounds like a good idea. I think I'll try to adapt a similar idea to my tort table.

I didn't receive any email from you. My email is fhayden@tampabay.rr.com

I really like the dwarf boas and I'm hoping have a nice collection of them. I already have 2.2 corn islands, and 2.2 cay caulkers. I don't really like the hoggs so I don't have those. Some more rare dwarf boas is what I'm aiming for.

Frank