Trying to get glass doors in this, but having problems.

I found a wooden closet in a family member's garage that is untouched and looks perfect for the kind of enclosure I'm trying to create. I want to install glass doors that run on tracks to slide open. The problem is that the doors don't touch when they close; they're divided by a beam of wood that also extends a couple inches into the interior space of the closet. I took a few pictures rather hastily, and between them I think there's one good one taken from the inside that shows what I'm talking about:

http://i.imgur.com/8iPiQKY.jpg

If you can see the beam extending upwards, perpendicular to the closed door, that's basically what's standing in the way of me just putting a strip of wood next to the side of the interior and running a sliding glass door track through it.

I'm wondering if it's possible to use a reciprocating saw to cut a slit through the beam so that I can run glass doors through it, but that would be difficult and might end with me mutilating an otherwise useful piece of furniture.

I'm open to trying anything, so long as there is some kind of seal so that the snake isn't held in there just by a couple of doors. (Although with my lack of experience, I'm not sure that having a glass barrier is even necessary.)

I'm also open to any suggestions from people with experience building enclosures for their BPs. I know that a wooden closet isn't what people typically use for reptile habitats, and that it's fairly ambitious, but I'd like to make it work if possible. I can take more pictures if necessary, too.

(Apologies for any mistakes, I'm writing from a phone.)

First question. What type of wood is that?

Maybe it's ceder since it was for clothing?

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Originally Posted by BR8080

Maybe it's ceder since it was for clothing?

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That's what I suspect, since it has a hangar up at the top.

Is cedar a problem for BP habitats? Or for sawing through it?

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Originally Posted by Kinstrome

That's what I suspect, since it has a hangar up at the top.

Is cedar a problem for BP habitats? Or for sawing through it?

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Cedar is a serious problem for any reptile. If you can't confirm that it is NOT cedar then don't use it.


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Cedar is poisonous to reptiles. Do not use it. It looked like cedar which is why I asked. Please don't use anything cedar.

I can't turn it around or upside down, and since it looks a hell of a lot like cedar on the inside, I'm going to assume it probably is.

Is there any way to coat the entire interior with PVC liner and use aquaria-safe silicone to nullify the danger of cedar wood? Or is the problem more complicated than that?

Because otherwise, I'm going to (once again) have to look for a new piece of furniture on craigslist or a consignment store to house her in. If I do, is there any other wood I should avoid?

If it's cedar I would not even risk your snakes health. If it were me I would find another piece of furniture.

Harmful wood includes: cedar, pine, eucalyptus, wood with thorns and chemically treated wood.

Someven if if you seal it, it wouldn't be safe.
Hope that helps.

Most softwoods are not good for snakes which include Pine and Cedar. It's not the wood itself, its the phenols or oils in the wood. Kiln dried pine is fine for example. You could probably use a sealer and be fine but personally i wouldnt chance it.

Why does it have to be a piece of furniture? Better off with a PVC cage.

Okay. Trust me, I don't want to risk her health.

I went this route because consigned (or free) furniture is inexpensive, spacious, and attractive. I'm open to other types of enclosures that would be spacious enough to house a pretty large terrarium (the closet was about 60" × 40" × 20"), as long as I could afford it.

Another draw was that the closet had locking doors, so that I could both keep her safe and keep her hidden if phobic guests arrived.

I think it's a great idea...sans the cedar. Brilliant actually!

Sorry, don't know how to edit

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Originally Posted by Sauzo

Most softwoods are not good for snakes which include Pine and Cedar. It's not the wood itself, its the phenols or oils in the wood. Kiln dried pine is fine for example. You could probably use a sealer and be fine but personally i wouldnt chance it.

Why does it have to be a piece of furniture? Better off with a PVC cage.

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I didn't see this when I posted last time. I wanted to elaborate on what I mean by PVC liner. It's sold as a wide sheet of PVC that's something like 3mm thick. I would be caulking any and all jointed areas with silicone if I did it. However, for peace of mind, I think it's worth looking into alternatives so I don't put a bunch of work into something that turns out to be useless.

I didn't know about purely PVC-made structures, but I doubt I could build them. If I go that route, though, is there any good tutorial for how to do it?

Thanks again.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B019P...cYL&ref=plSrch

I've heard great things about this. Would this be enough to keep out the cedar toxins? Because it's supposedly nontoxic.

I wouldn't. It's chemicals that dry. That's me though...

As cool as that would look as an enclosure I think for the cost of what you'll spend trying to make that closet work, you could buy a pvc or similar plastic enclosure that will do exactly what you need it to. That's my opinion anyway


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Unfortunately, I'd already bought a lot of materials specific to this closet, so that I don't think I would be saving much at this point going for PVC cages. I will still consider it, though. I don't want to endanger my BP.

Would a discreet fan help circulate out the things that could harm the snake? I don't think it would make or break it, but if there's only a little bit of the cedar oil/pollutants getting into the vivarium, I wonder if a fan wouldn't help get it out. I had seen someone suggest doing it when he made a vivarium for frogs.

Still haven't figured out how to edit previous posts, so sorry for double-posting.

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Originally Posted by blackcrystal22

I would assume, since you would be sealing it anyways, it should not cause any problems.

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Originally Posted by blackcrystal22

I have heard that there are supposively strong toxic oils in pine (hence, why you should not use it for reptiles or rodents in bedding) which I can understand more with a shredded product, but not as much with a plywood. I was always curious about it though, because I used pine with rodents for years without issues.

Also, Wes, the redwood thing is new to me. Clear me up on this?

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Originally Posted by StormSerpent

I don't think OFRD_GRL is talking about using wood

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Originally Posted by StormSerpent

in the enclosure.

Now I don't know much, but if the wood was sealed and no part of the snake would come in contact with the actual wood, I don't think the kind of wood would really matter, as none of the oils would be able to leak out once sealed.

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These are a couple of people who said that thoroughly sealing the wood would probably keep it safe. I know I sound stubborn, and I must sound like I just want confirmation of what I already want to do, but I've put a lot of planning and money into making this closet work, so that I'm looking for ways to really make it work. I have nothing against PVC/melamine enclosures, though, and if it's too risky I'll defer to your advice and get one.

Personally I wouldn't risk it. I mean it could turn out fine or you could end up with a dead snake. Only one way to be sure but I wouldn't risk the animal's life to find out


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Okay, I understand.

Is there a recommended place to buy good PVC reptile enclosures? I'm betting it's easier to buy one than make one.

Wasn't trying to come down on you about it, just my opinion.
Having said that I'm a big fan of Animal Plastics enclosures, apcages.com. Many folks go with the T8 for ball pythons but some prefer something taller. Here's a really great thread on how to set them up. https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...-With-Pictures!
AP isn't the end all plastic cage manufacturer but I like their products and they're a pretty good value depending on which model cage you get.



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Originally Posted by Kinstrome

Sorry, don't know how to edit



I didn't see this when I posted last time. I wanted to elaborate on what I mean by PVC liner. It's sold as a wide sheet of PVC that's something like 3mm thick. I would be caulking any and all jointed areas with silicone if I did it. However, for peace of mind, I think it's worth looking into alternatives so I don't put a bunch of work into something that turns out to be useless.

I didn't know about purely PVC-made structures, but I doubt I could build them. If I go that route, though, is there any good tutorial for how to do it?

Thanks again.

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Honestly unless you have routers and a lot of power tools and the room, it's better to just buy a premade PVC cage. My advice is buy an Animal Plastics cage. They are built very well, offer lots of customization and add ons and Ali is awesome to deal with. Plus it will be lighter and easier to move and clean than a giant piece of furniture lined with PVC.

Another piece of advice is KISS...keep it simple stupid. Not saying you're stupid lol, its just the saying I heard while growing up and working in the automotive repair industry. It's best to keep your cages simple and easy to clean and maintain. The more complex you make something, the more chances of having problems.

For example here are a couple pics of my cages. Animal Plastics T25s 6x3x18 cages. These have an almost 7' retic, 6.5' boa and 5.5' boa.
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...3db3ab9a_h.jpg

Animal Plastics T10s on the bottom 4x2x15 cages with a dumerils and ball python and 2 T8s on top 4x2x12 cages with 2 baby boas. Also have another T8 not pictured with another baby boa.
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...8b6bcd3c_h.jpg

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Originally Posted by jmcrook

Wasn't trying to come down on you about it, just my opinion.
Having said that I'm a big fan of Animal Plastics enclosures, apcages.com. Many folks go with the T8 for ball pythons but some prefer something taller. Here's a really great thread on how to set them up. https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...-With-Pictures!
AP isn't the end all plastic cage manufacturer but I like their products and they're a pretty good value depending on which model cage you get.



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I checked the site and they do look like great enclosures, but to get near the interior space I'm looking for would cost me over $500. I doubt I could sell the wood closet for more than $200 on Craigslist.

I'll mentally store them for the future, because I probably will buy another reptile eventually, but right now I'm interested in trying to use flex-seal with PVC lining on top of it. At any rate, I can't bring the closet into my house anytime soon (I'm trying to sell other furniture to make room), so it isn't like I need to make the decision today.

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Originally Posted by Sauzo

Honestly unless you have routers and a lot of power tools and the room, it's better to just buy a premade PVC cage. My advice is buy an Animal Plastics cage. They are built very well, offer lots of customization and add ons and Ali is awesome to deal with. Plus it will be lighter and easier to move and clean than a giant piece of furniture lined with PVC.

Another piece of advice is KISS...keep it simple stupid. Not saying you're stupid lol, its just the saying I heard while growing up and working in the automotive repair industry. It's best to keep your cages simple and easy to clean and maintain. The more complex you make something, the more chances of having problems.

For example here are a couple pics of my cages. Animal Plastics T25s 6x3x18 cages. These have an almost 7' retic, 6.5' boa and 5.5' boa.


Animal Plastics T10s on the bottom 4x2x15 cages with a dumerils and ball python and 2 T8s on top 4x2x12 cages with 2 baby boas. Also have another T8 not pictured with another baby boa.

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Those do look pretty good. I'll consider it while I wait for my old furniture to sell.

Well I'm assuming this cage is going to be for a BP as its the BP section of the forums. If so, a 4x2 with a shelf would be plenty of room for a BP. My almost 4 year old pied girl is just over 4' and she does fine in a T10 with a shelf.

Why do you need so much interior space? 60" tall is about equivalent to 4x the height that a ball python will use. Also maintaining temps in a 5' tall enclosure will be much more difficult than a shorter cage.


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Yeah, I've considered that. Part of it is that I want to make an outstanding terrarium that happens to double as a house for my snake ( not that that means the snake's health is secondary to me).

I found a nice premade chameleon cage on Facebook Marketplace, so I may go with that instead.

A question: can weathered-down cedar driftwood that hasn't been sawed still affect reptiles?

EDIT: Also, if I ever get a larger reptile (which is likely), I may switch the snake to a different place.

Do whatever you want, but I'll say it again. Anything cedar in a reptile enclosure is not worth the risk in my opinion


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Originally Posted by jmcrook

Do whatever you want, but I'll say it again. Anything cedar in a reptile enclosure is not worth the risk in my opinion


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I agree. This reminds me of the post with the sauna.

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Originally Posted by Sunnieskys

I agree. This reminds me of the post with the sauna.

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^^^ Yep. I was thinking about that too


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Originally Posted by jmcrook

^^^ Yep. I was thinking about that too


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i don't want to be a witch....but just no. It's really simple. Cedar = no! Sealed or not you take the risk of killing your snake.

If if you seal it, it becomes chemically treated wood. Which is a no. You put plastic wrap, is it reptile approved? So no. I'm sorry, but no. It's not worth a snakes life. Sorry.

Alright, alright, I won't use the cedar closet. (I will clarify, though, that flex seal doesn't treat the wood like a finisher but adds another layer of substance over it, and PVC liner isn't plastic wrap but rather a solid surface like linoleum.) I may create a habitat inside the closet, but just not put any animal inside it. Purely a decoration.

I think it would be better to get something shorter anyway, as users have suggested. Although, I've noticed that my snake enjoys climbing things, even things she can't actually climb. Mostly, I'm concerned about her not getting enough heat.

Are there any wood you would actively recommend, if I were to construct a plywood enclosure? And does anyone know how well Great Stuff or waterfall/river foam sticks to wood?

You can use plywood and if you want to get fancy, can use oak. Pretty much any hardwood is fine but like i said, most people just use plywood and then seal it with a marine grade waterproof sealer. As for foam, I've seen guys do fancy setups for beardies with rock steps and all that stuff. I dont remember exactly what they used but it wasnt anything fancy. Does a take long time as they had to layer it to build up the strength on it. But i would imagine most stuff is fine as long as you let it dry and cure fully since you would be sealing everything with the marine grade sealer so nothing soaks up urine or moisture and falls apart.

A lot of people also used Melamine but that stuff weighs a ton and you have to be sure to seal the exposed edges as its pretty much just particle board with laminate on it. So if any moisture gets into the core, it will rot.

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Originally Posted by Sauzo

You can use plywood and if you want to get fancy, can use oak. Pretty much any hardwood is fine but like i said, most people just use plywood and then seal it with a marine grade waterproof sealer. As for foam, I've seen guys do fancy setups for beardies with rock steps and all that stuff. I dont remember exactly what they used but it wasnt anything fancy. Does a take long time as they had to layer it to build up the strength on it. But i would imagine most stuff is fine as long as you let it dry and cure fully since you would be sealing everything with the marine grade sealer so nothing soaks up urine or moisture and falls apart.

A lot of people also used Melamine but that stuff weighs a ton and you have to be sure to seal the exposed edges as its pretty much just particle board with laminate on it. So if any moisture gets into the core, it will rot.

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I'm not quite sure I know what you mean regarding the foam. I may be misunderstanding, though.

What I meant to ask was how well the foam stuck to a clean surface. Some people use silicone to seal it to glass / plastic (there doesn't seem to be a consensus on whether you should or shouldn't, at least from the YouTubers I've seen). I'll be using plywood, and I haven't heard much about its properties with different agents.