Birchwood Plywood Snake Rack

I'm planning on building my own snake rack very soon in the future, I am currently using this but I am looking to upgrade soon and I don't want to spend around $1000 dollars for 2 racks when I can build my own rack better and for a lot cheaper. So heres my question. I know that some woods are poisonous to snakes but does anyone know if birchwood plywood is safe? Thank you.

For $1000 you can get 3.5 of theses...

http://www.reptilebasics.com/iris-sw...y-or-back-heat

:gj:

I think Birch plywood is safe for your snakes, but as a general rule, plywood doesn't do well over the long haul in high humidity environments.

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Originally Posted by Slim

For $1000 you can get 3.5 of theses...

http://www.reptilebasics.com/iris-sw...y-or-back-heat

:gj:

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I was looking at that but for around the price of one of those I can build a 20 tub rack...just seems way over priced

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Originally Posted by DavidMundy

I was looking at that but for around the price of one of those I can build a 20 tub rack...just seems way over priced

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I understand that. I guess it depends on what your needs are. If you need a 20 tub rack, then DIY is probably the way to go.

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Originally Posted by Slim

I understand that. I guess it depends on what your needs are. If you need a 20 tub rack, then DIY is probably the way to go.

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I don't necessarily NEED a 20 tub rack at the moment but I plan on buying and breeding lots of balls in the future and would rather have the space already set up for them instead of having to buy another rack every 4 snakes I buy. Thanks for your quick response.

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Originally Posted by Slim

For $1000 you can get 3.5 of theses...

http://www.reptilebasics.com/iris-sw...y-or-back-heat

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x2

I love my RBI sweaterbox racks. Very durable PVC material, recessed heat tape and they are modular which makes it easy to disassemble a stack of 12 tubs when you need to move them (being in the military and moving all the time this is important to me, maybe not as important to you).

Is there a reason for the birchwood plywood? Basically I am wondering if you wanted that for a certain look. I used melamine and got one sheet for less then $40 (home depot made about 7-8 cuts and didn't charge anything + there is extra left for future use), the backing was about $6, the heat tape was $24 but I have enough to easily make 1-2 more, and finally about $17 for tubs. So 40+6+12+17=$75 for the rack. I found Iris tubs online for my next build and think I may go open sides. I think for a 20 tub roughly 30qt set up it should be able to be done for under $100 for the wood alone if it has open sides.

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h1...o/IMG_1417.jpg

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Originally Posted by BPLuvr

Is there a reason for the birchwood plywood? Basically I am wondering if you wanted that for a certain look. I used melamine and got one sheet for less then $40 (home depot made about 7-8 cuts and didn't charge anything + there is extra left for future use), the backing was about $6, the heat tape was $24 but I have enough to easily make 1-2 more, and finally about $17 for tubs. So 40+6+12+17=$75 for the rack. I found Iris tubs online for my next build and think I may go open sides. I think for a 20 tub roughly 30qt set up it should be able to be done for under $100 for the wood alone if it has open sides.

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h1...o/IMG_1417.jpg

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The reason I prefer birchwood is because I can get it a lot cheaper than melamine, I'm a carpenter so my boss gets discounts on plywood and I can get it next to nothing. I also never worked with melamine.

Birch is likely safer than melamine as it does not contain Formaldehyde in anywhere near the same concentration. Is the ply in question be baltic birch ply? If so it is waterproof so it is very resistant to humidity more so that melamine. not to mention is is way stronger especially the baltic birch. I would suggest it is better than melamine in all respects but price but if your wholesale price looks anything like mine there is no reason to use melamine at all. Perhaps the sealing of the wood is the only possible down side.

You're a carpenter! Definitely build your own!

Then post pics!

I think birch would be fine, but there are times when the snakes need high humidity. That's why most rack and cage builders use some kind of plastic.

grits builds cages and racks! Maybe check out his pics in his profile.

Go with birch ply, its stronger than people think if done right. Just seal it up with a water based varathane when you are done and it will probably last 20+ years.
I have a 10 high 28 quart rack made with oak ply and it is quite strong, only reason it's oak is because it was going in the living room and had to make it match the rest of the decor.