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Post by maryah123 on Apr 14, 2008 12:25:18 GMT -8
I'm in the process of building a cage for my soon-to-be Iggy, and I was wondering if there were any woods that were dangerous to use?
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Post by sean46877 on Apr 15, 2008 3:44:56 GMT -8
Avoid aromatic woods like cedar. Pine is cheapest, but it needs to be sealed (well any wood really) with something like non-toxic paint/polyurethane. You need to let all the fumes dissipate. Turn on the heat and lights for a few days also to make sure it is all cured before the iguana is put in. I like oak, but it cost a fortune. Yellow poplar is a cheaper alternative.
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Post by Merlin on Apr 15, 2008 5:33:23 GMT -8
You can actually use any wood you like, with the exception of the chemically treated stuff used for decks and fences. You have to seal and waterproof the wood anyway.
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Post by maryah123 on Apr 15, 2008 6:36:31 GMT -8
OK, I was planing on sealing it, but how many coats should I use, and what kind of sealer? since I'm building the cage now I also have couple more questions : Should I insulate it, so it stays warm? Will one side screen be too open, and not hold in enough humidity? I'm building it in a closet, how long do you think a 4' long x 2' deep x 6.5' height enclosure would last an Iguana. Sorry for so many questions, I'm learning about them now, so I can give my future Iggy a good life.
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Post by sean46877 on Apr 16, 2008 3:42:55 GMT -8
I use 3 thin coats of clear polyurathane. If you live in an area like the northern U.S., insulation will help keep in the heat. If you live in warm climate like florida you can have a more open cage. It gets cold in the winter here, so we use solid wall cages with vents high on one side and low on the other. Some air vents through the openings on the top for dome fixtures. Your cage would be ok for a juvenile iguana for a while, but will not be long enough or deep enough to house an adult iguana full time. It is tall enough though.
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Post by prism_wolf on Apr 16, 2008 4:39:17 GMT -8
Anything water-based is fine to use as sealers. Once you let it dry you should go one step further and set all the lights in it to allow for a "curing" time. Often what happens is that the heat of the lights bring out the fumes again so doing this before it's tenant moves in just makes sense...:-)
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zammy12
Full Member
I look forward to cold blood best!
Posts: 39
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Post by zammy12 on Jul 20, 2008 21:28:13 GMT -8
OOO im jealous its better than my future cage.
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zammy12
Full Member
I look forward to cold blood best!
Posts: 39
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Post by zammy12 on Aug 7, 2008 22:15:23 GMT -8
Is redwood a safe wood or not?
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Post by prism_wolf on Aug 8, 2008 4:17:08 GMT -8
Redwood is not safe...:-)
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