making a hide question

[mbrown29]

I have a question for you guys. I'm making a 2 story hide for my Leo. I'm using styrofoam. I've heard here that you shouldn't use cedar wood in the tank as well as any evergreen tree. I'm making a bridge type structure with 1" thick support structures and 1/2" bridge or walkway between the two. I went with 1/2" because I liked the thickness aesthetically. Can I use a little piece of white pine for the top bridge piece to sit on for reinforcing purposes? I was going to completely seal (waterfroof/weatherproof outside sealer) the piece of wood first. If i seal it, will that make it okay to use white pine? Thanks!

 

[SC Geckos]

If you seal the wood it should be fine. Its (I think) the oils in some types of wood and wood shavings that is not good for reptiles.

 

[Embrace Calamity]

I'm not sure if it'll be okay or not. I've heard people discourage the use of pine even if it will be sealed, but I can't say because I honestly don't know. Perhaps an obvious question, but why not just use a different kind to be on the safe side?

~Maggot

 

[wsumike87]

Don't chance it, just use another type of wood to be safe.

 

[SC Geckos]

You could always make the piece you need out of foam cut to look like wood and grout it a few times to make it strong. I see people making all kinds of crazy stuff with foam and alot of it looks really nice.