Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello everyone,
I am in the process of building a new enclosure for my 1 1/2 year old female Reticulated python. She is approximately 9 ft. long and extremly healthy. Although I have built cages for some of my other large boas and pythons, this will be my first time using FRP panels.
The main reason I chose to use FRP's, is because it holds up so well against moisture and humidity. In all of my snake enclosures I use Bed-A-Beast, which is a substrate made from crushed coconuts. For those who have never used it,it is excellent at holding humidity without being "wet". Also, it is so fine that if ingested by the animal, it will pass safely through thier digestive system without causing any harm.
For heat, I will be using a radiant heat panel. This will give me a temp zone ranging from 90 degrees warmest, to around 75 degrees coolest. The cage dimensions are 32" deep, 46" high, and 96" long. It will be construsted of framing and plywood, with the inside covered by the FRP panels. I will be using a "new home construction" double slinding window for the door, which measures 41" high by 62" long.
I've tried to give as much information about my construction and about the inside furnishings, so that it may help in maybe answering my next question....What type of adhesive should I use to attach the FRP panels to the plywood?
In the same respect, if someone has a better idea for a different material to use, please feel free to suggest. I'm open to any idea.

Thank you,
Robert E. Langley Sr

Hi, you can use liquid nails to attach your panels to the wood. It comes in "caulk-gun" tubes and is only about 2 bucks a tube. But you can avoid all this by simply using melamine board. It is only about 10 bucks more than plywood per sheet, is very strong and comes with a water resistant veneer/surface.

>>Hello everyone,
>>I am in the process of building a new enclosure for my 1 1/2 year old female Reticulated python. She is approximately 9 ft. long and extremly healthy. Although I have built cages for some of my other large boas and pythons, this will be my first time using FRP panels.
>>The main reason I chose to use FRP's, is because it holds up so well against moisture and humidity. In all of my snake enclosures I use Bed-A-Beast, which is a substrate made from crushed coconuts. For those who have never used it,it is excellent at holding humidity without being "wet". Also, it is so fine that if ingested by the animal, it will pass safely through thier digestive system without causing any harm.
>>For heat, I will be using a radiant heat panel. This will give me a temp zone ranging from 90 degrees warmest, to around 75 degrees coolest. The cage dimensions are 32" deep, 46" high, and 96" long. It will be construsted of framing and plywood, with the inside covered by the FRP panels. I will be using a "new home construction" double slinding window for the door, which measures 41" high by 62" long.
>>I've tried to give as much information about my construction and about the inside furnishings, so that it may help in maybe answering my next question....What type of adhesive should I use to attach the FRP panels to the plywood?
>> In the same respect, if someone has a better idea for a different material to use, please feel free to suggest. I'm open to any idea.
>>
>>Thank you,
>>Robert E. Langley Sr
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It isn't "Ideas" that fail or succeed,... it is the "Systems" which are instilled to launch and sustain the idea that either fail or succeed.>[Me.]

Melamine is disgustingly heavy! Plus if you don't get a good enough seal between the joints it will swell and more or less be worthless. Personally I would go the plywood/ 2 x4 frame route with the FRP inside...are the FRP panels the same as the expanded "textured" PVC you can get for bathroom? If so then that's what I would go with. Why not just use 100% silicone to attach the panels? If memory serves me correctly you are also supposed to nail/screw this stuff as well as use an adhesive (screw it down under the "molding" if I remember correctly). Hope this helps!
Jon