Could this old TV stand be modified to make a BP cage?

I've been keeping my eye out for cages since Shen is going to grow out of his current tank pretty soon, and while wandering around a used furniture store I saw this:

http://ball-pythons.net/gallery/file...3/img_8960.jpg

It's the perfect dimensions, 46Lx15HX18W, and has heavy sliding glass doors on front. It's fairly cheap too, only $70.

I can see it needing a few tweaks, sealing the sliding glass doors better, knocking out the shelves/divider, and cutting some vents/cord ports, but my main question is whether or not the material would be suitable for a BP habitat. It's made out of heavy laminated particle board, and even if I plastered it with laminate/vinyl flooring and sealed the holy heck out of it would it still hold up against the humidity/occasional spilled water bowls of a ball python cage? I can't say I've ever used particle board in such a setting and have much experience on the matter....other than it's kind of cheap. Also, would you put a UTH on a particle board base? I'm nervous enough about putting one on wood in general, although realistically even set to 130'F it's still not hot enough to catch wood on fire....

I like the idea of turning a piece of furniture into a cage, aesthetically it's more appealing to me than the PVC cages or the tubs, yet not as expensive as some of the custom cages out there + shipping! Also, my wood-woorking skills aren't exactly going to create a work of art. :D

What do you guys think? Anyone had success with a kind of modified laminated particle board cage?

Yes, I have done similar. If it is pine it will need to be sealed with yacht varnish or similar

I don't know anything about sealing wood (or particle board or whatever) so I'll let someone else answer that one. But the main question that comes to mind for me is this: If you take that center divider out, will the piece be able to maintain its structural integrity? That divider could very well be helping to not only hold the top up and keep it from bowing down (and even the tiniest bit of bowing would ruin the slide on those glass doors), but also may be integral in keeping the unit "square".

If you're sure that center piece is just there for aesthetics or simply to support the weight of a TV, or if you can figure out some structural substitute that won't compromise the integrity of the piece (maybe cut a big hole in the center of the divider for the snake to crawl through, rather than taking it out entirely) it looks like the whole thing may have some pretty decent potential as a DIY enclosure.

I wouldn't worry about the UTH/flexwatt heat on the material. You need to control it with a reliable thermostat no matter what kind of material its attached to, and that will keep it safe. If it's dangerous for the material, it's already deadly for your snake.

While it could make a visually interesting enclosure, in my opinion it will be more trouble than it's worth, and still wouldn't be an optimum set up for your animals.

It might work. Personally, I vote tubs for bps.

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Originally Posted by JLC

I don't know anything about sealing wood (or particle board or whatever) so I'll let someone else answer that one. But the main question that comes to mind for me is this: If you take that center divider out, will the piece be able to maintain its structural integrity? That divider could very well be helping to not only hold the top up and keep it from bowing down (and even the tiniest bit of bowing would ruin the slide on those glass doors), but also may be integral in keeping the unit "square".

If you're sure that center piece is just there for aesthetics or simply to support the weight of a TV, or if you can figure out some structural substitute that won't compromise the integrity of the piece (maybe cut a big hole in the center of the divider for the snake to crawl through, rather than taking it out entirely) it looks like the whole thing may have some pretty decent potential as a DIY enclosure.

I wouldn't worry about the UTH/flexwatt heat on the material. You need to control it with a reliable thermostat no matter what kind of material its attached to, and that will keep it safe. If it's dangerous for the material, it's already deadly for your snake.

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The back of the unit would need to be replaced, it's a flexible sheet rather than an actual board, so I was thinking I could use something sturdier and secure the entire top piece to it, and that should provide enough structural integrity to it. I could also put in a 1x2" brace if I see it starting to bow.

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Originally Posted by Slim

While it could make a visually interesting enclosure, in my opinion it will be more trouble than it's worth, and still wouldn't be an optimum set up for your animals.

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You're probably right about the "more trouble than it's worth".... I know people like the tubs, or the PVC cages, and while in the end I'm absolutely not going to sacrifice optimal conditions for Shen in the place of aesthetics, I'm willing to put in a little more effort if I can achieve both. :)

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Originally Posted by tryme

Yes, I have done similar. If it is pine it will need to be sealed with yacht varnish or similar

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Hmm......would the fumes be a problem from something like that? Especially when heated?

By the time you make the necessary modifications, you're going to have a lot more than $70 in it. I'll bet you can build a rack system for what you'd have in upfits to that piece of furniture.

Partical board has toxic chemicals in it. Unless you completely seal every interior surface I would not use it. Real wood furniture can be converted and with minimal effort can be sealed (as long as it isn't pine/cedar) but the price tag will be much higher.

If you don't like the aesthetics of PVC cages you could always add a shell to make it look better:

A few sheets of beadboard, molding, and some screws should make a nice facade.

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Originally Posted by The Serpent Merchant

(as long as it isn't pine/cedar)

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I knew about cedar and pine shavings....but why pine wood itself? And if it's older pine wood that's dry and no oils left around and well sealed, would it still be a problem?

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Originally Posted by OmNomNom

I knew about cedar and pine shavings....but why pine wood itself? And if it's older pine wood that's dry and no oils left around and well sealed, would it still be a problem?

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For the exact same reasons why the shavings are to be avoided... the wood itself contains the oils. Pine isn't nearly as bad as cedar is but I would still avoid it. About the only way to get rid of the oils is to kiln dry the wood and that will be difficult to find.

It simply isn't a risk worth taking.