Reptile & Amphibian Forums

So I decided to make my first snake cage and, for various reasons, make it out of Plexi-Glass. The engineering is a bit... creative, and I have a few questions

What would I use to seal Plexi-glass to PVC, I basically have slots lengthwise in the PVC pipes that the Plexi fits into and I need to seal them together?

Is the Plexi going to let off any fumes when heated by either a lamp or heat tape under it?

My snake is a Sinaloan Milk and he likes to burrow(dig?) in his coconut substrate, I want his new cage to have quite a few inches for him to do this in and was wondering what the best substrate would be for that?

Some of you guys have mentioned using Great Stuff to make things in the cage out of but when you cut it after it's dry is it still water-proof or will i need to coat it with something? and if so, what?

Can i use the fake-rock spray paint on things in the cage? is it water-proof?

I know, thats a lot of questions but any help you guys could give me would be greatly appreciated.

>>What would I use to seal Plexi-glass to PVC, I basically have slots lengthwise in the PVC pipes that the Plexi fits into and I need to seal them together?

Google IPS Weld-On and check the companies site to see if there are solvents that weld PVC to acrylic. I'm fairly certain no solvent exists for that, but it's worth checking.

Otherwise, 100% silicone.

>>Is the Plexi going to let off any fumes when heated by either a lamp or heat tape under it?

Probably not huge amounts, but it will warp and turn yellow. Acrylic is not the best for this application.

>>My snake is a Sinaloan Milk and he likes to burrow(dig?) in his coconut substrate, I want his new cage to have quite a few inches for him to do this in and was wondering what the best substrate would be for that?

Probably aspen bedding.

>>Some of you guys have mentioned using Great Stuff to make things in the cage out of but when you cut it after it's dry is it still water-proof or will i need to coat it with something? and if so, what?

Most people coat it with grout and grout sealer. But I believe it is water-proof on its own. There are latex based varieties that may not be.

>>Can i use the fake-rock spray paint on things in the cage? is it water-proof?

I have seen the fake rock sprays used in cages. I don't recall if it needed to be sealed or not.
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Current snakes:

1.1 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Silver/Yellow)

2.2 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Green)

4.3 Gonyosoma janseni - (Black)