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Building a Homemade Enclosure-Need Advice ASAP!!!!!

CandyCorn88

CandyCorn88

New member
My husband is building a multi-unit enclosure for my seven baby corn snakes. Tonight we went to home Depot and bought supplies. I've been reading forums all night about homemade enclosures and backgrounds and stumbled across a thread that said that plywood is toxic to reptiles. Now I'm freaking out because the enclosure we are building is being made out of birch plywood. We are going to make a homemade background for each enclosure out of styrofoam and grout so that takes care of the back and sides of the enclosure, the snakes will not have any contact with the plywood in these areas, but we were going to seal the doors, in the front, with a waterproofing stain. Is this going to be ok for them? Please help!!

Another question:
We decided to use UTH for each of the enclosures so we are going to have glass bottoms for each of the enclosures, so not to run the risk of a fire hazard. The enclosure is going to be on a tile floor, not carpet and there is to be a 6" space between the bottom of the first enclosure and the floor. Is this ok?

Third question, I'm just full of them, I'm so worried about my babies:
Lighting:
We are still debating on whether to go with LED puck lights in each enclosure or strip lights, we could also use the smallest can lights, but I think we have dismissed that idea. In between the top and bottom of each enclosure there is going to be a 12" space, so the UTH do not have any effects on the enclosure below it and the lights won't have any effect on the enclosure above it. We are going with a permanent top with stainless stain grating for ventilation and each side and back will have vents put in. How does this sound?

Please is anyone has any suggests or concerns, ideas, whatever let me know we would so much appreciate it. Anything helps, especially when it's your first time. Thanks for the help in advance!
 
I have a viv made out of 3/4" plywood. Most of the wood surface is covered by paint but some of the top parts are just stained, some stained and sealed. My snake has been in this enclosure for about three years and she's big and healthy.

I think the space above the floor is OK from a safety standpoint. Just a thought, when I make new shelves for our shop or warehouse at work I like to start them at 8" so that a broom fits under them easily(10" is even better).

I used LEDs for viewing lights so I didn't have to worry about heat. I only have red(they came from a truck taillight) and the colors in the viv and on the snake look kind of crappy when they're on but we can see her cruising around at night. For white lights I'm pretty sure an incandescent light will have better color than white LEDs.

Edit: The heaters in my viv are on a lexan plate, not glass.
 
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I never heard that about the plywood before but who know what they doing in they process of making it anymore.
I used latex paint and then coated it with water base polyurethane, which helps out when cleaning.
With the heat..there are a few routes you can go. With a glass bottom you will be fine with an UTH.
From what you stated about the rest, you should be good to go too.
Don't bug your husband every three minutes with questions. Let him get done and build it. hehehe

here is mine.
http://www.cornsnakes.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=49658a
 
I think you should be fine with the plywood as long you as put a thick coat of something over it. I highly recommend putting about five to six heavy coats of poly on top of it. That will really help protect the wood, make cleaning a breeze, and protect the corns better than regular paint will.
 
Thanks to you all of you, you all are great. I really appreciate the feedback. We will make sure to post pics. Thanks again for all of your help.
 
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