Building enclosures

[evilkineaval]

Hi, I am just about to start building some enclosures for my Jungles. What size would you recommend I build, I am going to build it with 15mm ply (is this suitable). When I finish constructing the enclosures what do I use to seal them and how long after sealing them should I wait before putting the snakes in.

[Just_Joshin]

Originally Posted by evilkineaval

Hi, I am just about to start building some enclosures for my Jungles. What size would you recommend I build, I am going to build it with 15mm ply (is this suitable). When I finish constructing the enclosures what do I use to seal them and how long after sealing them should I wait before putting the snakes in.

15mm Ply will be fine. I just used 12mm to build mine. I'd recommend using marine grade lacquer if you want to be particularily pedantic about it, however, standard lacquer should be fine. If you are going to stain the timber, then simply apply 2-3 coats of the desired stain and then seal it with 1-2 coats of lacquer. This should be adequate for the job.

Another alternative is to use HMR melamine, which will already be sealed for you (in your choice of coloured laminate, usually White, Cherry or Black) and means you can simply screw and glue it together and your done. Then all you have to do is get the glass runners, wire up the lights and get the glass doors cut and you are good to go.

[stringbean]

have the length of the enclosure at least half the length of the full grown species, and half again for the depth and height, this is probably a minimum size, so try to make it larger if u can. i read in your other thread that u wanted to get jungles so try to make it higher than the length. sorry if i confused you but this is what i had been told when building my enclosure.

[Just_Joshin]

In terms of size.....ideally you would want the enclosure to be the length of the specimen in length and half the length of the specimen in depth and height. This is an rough average guide, however. In reality you would want to make the enclosure as big as realistically and sensible can.

[mitchyj]

melamine woulb be better

[OzRocks]

Melamine is by far better for cleaning reasons...its easy to clean, doesnt hold much bacteria if any, easy to see where needs to be cleaned...and for the height, make sure its a heigh enclosure because jungles love to climb and sometimes will only eat if above the ground I would suggest....LxWxH.....3ftx2ftx4/5ft...and make sure all lights a caged because these blokes love to hang off stuff

[Auzlizardking]

Originally Posted by OzRocks

Melamine is by far better for cleaning reasons...its easy to clean, doesnt hold much bacteria if any, easy to see where needs to be cleaned...and for the height, make sure its a heigh enclosure because jungles love to climb and sometimes will only eat if above the ground I would suggest....LxWxH.....3ftx2ftx4/5ft...and make sure all lights a caged because these blokes love to hang off stuff

OzRocks is on the ball

[mungus]

The higher the enclosure, the better.
Easier to control your thermal temperature.

[ozphobia]

This is one I am making at the moment for my two juvie jungles.

This is a temporary one for a year or so then I'll make a real one.

John

PS each duplex is 600x600x400

[OzRocks]

Originally Posted by Auzlizardking

OzRocks is on the ball

Cheers Mate