Hide box important question!

[gLoBaL mInD]

I just went to the dollar store and bought a couple of plastic dishes and a couple of plastic 3 X 7 draws that are plastic blue see threw. Well I cut a doorway in the box and it would really be a lovely hide box.. perfect size for my BP's. Only thing is when I cut the doorway I realized it was very sharp.. I also realized the type of plastic it is, it just will not file down good.. so, I decided to run some black electral tape around the doorway and then began to cover the clear box just on the outside with electrical tape just so the box isn't see threw and so the snake has more privacy when I stopped and said wait a minute... Electrical tape has a little bit of an odor... almost painty.. Then I said this might not be good for the snakes? Does anyone know if that is a bad idea to use the electrical tape? I mean I can wash it after I'm done and I'm sure I can make it odorless, but are there any maybe harmful chemicals that go alone with Electrical tape? I did not put it in my enclosure yet and I want to get some of your guys approval on this or not? Either way my snakes health is more important. Thanx!

[jamesw]

I dont think it would be a good idea, with the heat, and enclosed area, there would be strong fumes.
I'd say use a soldering iron and melt it, if you dont have one, use a lighter or something alot those lines, melting the edge would make it real smoothe.

[tigerlily]

Electrical tape inside the enclosure is not a good idea. I'm not sure about the harmful vapors that may be release, but the tape could find it's way around your snake. Some member have had this very issue and I would not advise it. Use sandpaper to file down any rough edges. If it's very rough use a higer grained sandpaper.

[frankykeno]

Electric tape, packing tape, duct tape....any kind of tape is just not safe around snakes.

[gLoBaL mInD]

You guys rock! Thank you for looking out!

[pinkham64]

ya no tape. ive duct tape a cardboard box so it would stay. and my ball got tangled in it. and that was not a good day.

[dr del]

Another idea - that plastic that will not file smooth will often be able to be smoothed if you use sandpaper or the edge of a broken peice of glass (be carefull and dont cute yourself) - just either rub the sandpaper or scrape the glass along the sharp edge.

I tend to just wrap some sandpaper round my finger and use that as it's flexible and easy to judge the pressure.


dr del

[sw204me]

you could just use a lighter to melt the edges to a smooth roundedness. I have used lighters on alot of plastic and when it melts i actually becomes really rounded and smooth, and would be ALOT easier then sand paper, and a ton quicker.

[Mighty Monty]

Electric tape, packing tape, duct tape....any kind of tape is just not safe around snakes.

I have tape around holding suran wrap on my screened top of the cage? Is this bad? I was told it'd be ok on this site?

[tigerlily]

I have tape around holding suran wrap on my screened top of the cage? Is this bad? I was told it'd be ok on this site?

This tape should be on the OUTSIDE of the cage, and you should be fine. Maybe that clarification needs to be made in the tank article?