I just have a few quick questions, they may influence my decision on the future enclosure for my Newest addition, A redtail Boa.
I have a 75 gallon glass tank, however no lid for it, it was one of the reptile cages with the sliding doors on top, and the sliding doors just are not enough security for a snake this size. Anyone have experience building a lid for a larger tank that would keep a boa constictor in? Any tips?
I have also been debating building an enclosure out of wood for her, i have a large table in my room I would set it on, and am thinking 5'x2'x3' for size. which realisticly is only a foot longer than the 75 tank I have, half a foot deeper, and another foot taller, but I think she'd love the extra space.
If I were to build a wood enclosure I know I cant use ceder or pine, What wood works the best in everyones opinion? Also i'm assuming it should definitly be sealed, whats the best sealant?, or should it be glossed? I will probaly paint it or stain it to match, or contrast, the table i'll set it on, and are there certain paints/stains that are the safest?
I may look up some plans online, but I think i'll probaly go my own way on a few aspects. As much as I do want it to look nice, the point of building her a different cage is too keep her as happy as possible. I know even with a cage this size ill have to upgrade again to provide more space, but it would give me more time.
Thank you everyone for the advice and tips.

__________________
"Nobody can do Everything, but Everybody can do Something."

It would be quite simple to build a top for the enclosure using a wood frame and 1/2 x 1 inch welded wire mesh. You couldn't punch your way thru that!
You can actually use any wood that you like with the exception of pressure treated decking material. You are going to have to seal it anyway. Its the shavings that you have to stay away from as bedding.
Any nontoxic acrylic paint will work as well as wood stains, again sealed. The standard sealant is polyurethane. I personally like water based Polyurethane for its less toxicity. It comes in glossy as well as satin finish. I prefer the satin. The glossy is a bit too shiny for my taste. But either one will do the job.

__________________
Merlin,
What's Life Without A Little Magic!

Thanks, i did think about a wood frame, im just worried about how i'd keep the wooden lid down on the tank, id rather not use weights to keep it down, and other than siliconing clasps of some sort to the glass I cant think of any other way.

__________________
"Nobody can do Everything, but Everybody can do Something."

Short of wrapping straps around the whole thing attaching some sort of catch is about your only option. These are very powerful snakes and if there is a way out they will find it.

__________________
Merlin,
What's Life Without A Little Magic!

i have had alot of big snakes in the past,reticulated ,carpet,blood pythons and boa's *my bf has had all sorts of herps in the years ive been with him and I take care of them while hes at work *....non have escape and I just use clamps for my cage tops which are the store bought ones you get from petco or petsmart or any reptile petstore....i hate wood...cause of mites...-.-.but alot of wood cages ive seen looked really neat for boa's etc..just make sure your mite free!

btw the only snakes I have problems with getting out are the little guys..but! in my herp room ive fixed my door to where nothing gets in or out from under it so I can find them in there pretty easy

I like the metal clamps myself too, not the small wire looking ones, but the big meaty like 3" wide clamps, the only problem is the clamps would'nt fit onto a wooden lid to hold them down. If I had access to a torch id fabricate one out of sheet metal and heavy gauge wire, but no, torch. If I make a wooden lid chances are ill go with the silicone and metal clasps to keep it down.

__________________
"Nobody can do Everything, but Everybody can do Something."

you dont want getting into the tank a big deal...it takes the fun away from getting stuff done..always find the simple ways to make things easier maybe use some bungee cord?the ones with hooks maybe?i used that for my water monitor cause he broke the henges off lol

yeah, but I dont mind a bit more work to keep her a bit more safe. Though I could try the hinges ANd the bungees. It really does depend on whether I build a lid, or a new enclosure.

__________________
"Nobody can do Everything, but Everybody can do Something."

what ever works for you!lol no harm into making a nice project if you have the time!

as a breeder..i dont try n make all my cages nice and pretty I have about...23 baby Crested Geckos atm I keep them in sliding shoe box's until I make a shipment,i use paper towls etc for most of my herps..me and my bf have 2 job's..he teach's at a culinary school and cooks in the evening and I work for spencer's and best buy lol we dont have much time :/

I work two jobs, but both part time, and next year i'll be going back to school, i took a term off, so I can usualy find the time to do projects like this. after playing around on google sketchup for a bit, im pretty confident I can build a nice enclosure, im decently good at carpentry. Just finishing up remodeling my moms bathroom.
I'm thinking about something along the line of one of these styles.

Attached Images

	snap1 boa enclosure.JPG (13.5 KB, 1 views)
	snap2 boa enclosure.jpg (11.6 KB, 2 views)

__________________
"Nobody can do Everything, but Everybody can do Something."