Viv Building Safety Concern. Help!

[earthberry]

I am converting an old cabinet TV into an enclosure for one of my snakes. However, I just read a heartbreaking story about someone that built a gecko enclosure out of MDF and it's suspected that the MDF had something to do with the death of 4 of her leo's. The old TV that I'm converting is partially made of MDF. What should I do? I plan on paneling over the particle board on the bottom and sides as well as sealing the whole thing with a latex polyurethane. Will things be ok? I'm all worried about it now. I don't want put the money into this thing and have it be uninhabitable and I couldn't live with myself if something happened to any of my animals. What do you guys think?

[The Serpent Merchant]

Personally I wouldn't use MDF as even when it is sealed it tends to warp due to humidity. If you do choose to go ahead, I would use ceramic tile and grout over all interior surfaces. This will seal the cage and as long as aired out properly shouldn't cause any health issues.

[earthberry]

I don't have a choice but to use the MDF because that's what the TV was built out of. If I panel over it with pine will it be alright? It's mostly the chemicals and such in the MDF that I'm worried about.

[The Serpent Merchant]

Pine unless kiln dried has chemicals in it that are very bad for snakes.

[earthberry]

Alright, so after talking to some other people, I will line the entire inside with shower panels and seal the edges. That way, it will not only be waterproof, but the mdf and pine will both be covered and sealed. Better?

[The Serpent Merchant]

Much better

[kitedemon]

Personally I'd suggest starting over. Adapting a cabnet may work out but for a small amount more you could build something that works very well rather than just kinda works. MDF is very toxic I would avoid fumes from it that means fully sealed and then encapsulated fully I'd suggest epoxy.

I really believe there are fairly easy to work with materials that you could build a really great enclosure look at something made of PVCx. The same as 90% of the commercial enclosures on the market. komatex is one brand name.

[Mike41793]

Personally I'd suggest starting over. Adapting a cabnet may work out but for a small amount more you could build something that works very well rather than just kinda works. MDF is very toxic I would avoid fumes from it that means fully sealed and then encapsulated fully I'd suggest epoxy.

I really believe there are fairly easy to work with materials that you could build a really great enclosure look at something made of PVCx. The same as 90% of the commercial enclosures on the market. komatex is one brand name.

x2. The idea of just covering up potentially toxic stuff that coul kill the animals id be putting in the enclosure just doesnt seem like a risk id be willing to take :/