going to build

[yoda47]

My dad and I are wanting to build a bigger tank for my leopard gecko. I was wondering if there is any kind of wood that is toxic to geckos and if so what is it so I don't use it. Or is there some other building material that would be cheaper and or better looking than wood?

 

[Ipsl]

Why not plexi glass? Or something from tap plastics?

 

[yoda47]

how much would plexiglass cost do you know?

 

[GoGo]

I would go with plexiglass, a plexiglass tank would definatly be better then a wood one.

 

[Greyscale_Geckos]

how much would plexiglass cost do you know?

Here's a place that sells plexiglass in sheets. You can calculate the price by the dimensions and how much you need. There are also many other places the sell it online as well.

http://www.professionalplastics.com/cgi-bin/main/co_disp/displ/carfnbr/4/prrfnbr/85259

If that place doesn't have the prices you're looking for a Google search can find you a few more stores.

 

[yoda47]

thanks but just in case i can't get plexiglass is there any wood that is toxic to leos?

 

[Sandra]

Pine and cedar are toxic to reptiles. If you want to make a wooden tank, I would go with melamine as it is water-resistant.

Wood is a fine material to make terrariums, as it is decorative, easy to drill, cut, etc; and holds the temperature really well. But it is damn heavy.

My rack is made of melamine. I'll post better pics of it when it's completely finished, right now I only have these... Don't expect too much though, lol.

 

[yoda47]

thanks for all your help.

 

[GoGo]

That is one fat coconut laying gecko.

 

[Alusdra]

I was thinking about making a tank, too and had a thought- would it be ok to have the sides be a mesh-type stuff and then maybe the top, too, or perhaps have the top and bottom be made of something else... I was thinking something like glass or plexiglass or something for the bottom (due to the heat pad being there and not wanting it to burn) and then having plexi or similar as a front to slide and/or be a door of some sort, then the top could be more mesh or solid. It seemed to me that maybe the geckos would like to climb around on it? But then I wasn't sure about humidity, heat containment and air circulation. I was planning to put it on some shelves (which may actually be Melamine) which would mean that would sort of act like sides, too... I know that those collapsible travel cages are made of mesh, though I don't know how good an idea they are in general...

I would think, though, that a cage made entirely of wood would be hard to keep clean so far as humidity and all over sanitization is concerned- I would be afraid it would mold. Maybe if you finished it? Or would that be worse from a toxic point of view? :main_huh:

 

[Sandra]

Mesh cages are usually used for species that need LOTS of ventilation, such as chameleons. But they have more cons that pros. Humidity and temperature are extremely difficult to control in mesh cages.

Leos sure would enjoy climbing around the mesh, but it maybe a little dangerous for them, they are not experts at that. I would make a rock wall for them to climb, so they have more surface to step on and isn't completely vertical.

Also, the mesh cannot be metallic, it can cut off toes. You would have to go with plastic mesh.

Normal wood would mold in the end. It would need to be protected with, I guess, some kind of special varnish. Melamine isn't really wood. It's more like a mixture of bad quality wood covered with a plastic layer that imitates wood, that makes it water-resistant. I've seen dart frogs vivaria (that require humidity 100%) made of melamine.

The outer layer is what makes it so resistant, but water can enter the joints and mold the wood inside. That's why if you need high humidity or constant sanitation of your tank, you should seal the corners with silicone.