Oh and by the way before I put it in I soaked it in water for 3 days, let it dry and put it in. Nothing happened to it and it was able to hold 150 pounds and probably even more than that. So Im gonna have to say your theory is wrong but thanks for the concern!

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soaking the product in water isnt really a good test though, you can soak a 2x4 and it will still hold weight, that doesnt really mean its water proof I like your idea tho its pretty neat

Hate to tell you but if you soaked it for 3 days in water you ruined the wood. Its made up of basicly saw dust chips and glue, then pressed and cut to shape. I had a desk that was melamine and I cut it with a knife then set my glass on it sure enough that area bubbled and got worse over time. Now you take it and stick it out side uncovered in the sun, rains and what ever else may happen. It wont take long to fall apart. Thats just me from my experience. A side note. melamine the chemical used in the glue is water soluble.


Now the screening. Ya it will block most of the sun that is why they suggested hardware cloth. Yeah bugs will get it but seeing how high you are up it probably wont be many.

Just thought I would add my .02 cents

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ok I exaggerated a little bit. i didnt soak it I just poured some water on it. and this was after I coated it with 3 layers of sealant.

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I think it looks great and is a great idea.

Actually I am not underestimating it. It is scientifically PROVEN that anything less than 1/4" and the UVB will be filtered out. YES you will still get light, but it will not have the UVB rays that your reptile needs. That is one of the reasons that people put screens on their windows, in addition to keeping bugs out they help keep, possibly harmful to us, uvb out...


And as far as the Melamine goes. I am just trying to help keep you from getting to disapointed or something happening to your animals. I built a totally awesome enclosure out of Melamine, it was all sealed and everything. It was even only in use for about 4 months then we had to take it apart in a move and guess what we found... That it was pretty much about to fall apart. The water will find a way to get in. And like previously stated when it does the glue holding the saw dust together will dissolve and everything will fall apart....

I really do like your idea, but I think that there are some areas that need help in order to perfect it. I actually do like your idea enough that I am hoping you will write up step by step instructions so other people can also use it, but for it to work well with your animals you should make some modifications...

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Well the malomine doesnt hold it together. The malomine just acts as the floor while 2 x 4's are actually holding the entire foundation. So the malomine could be replaced with no problem if anything were to happen. I have about 8 sheets of in storage.

As for the UVB thing, we may have our beliefs but we can keep them to ourselves. If UVB doesnt travel through screen, how do people get sunburned through it? all I have to say is I can tell they get uvb through the screen becasue they are basking in it. Also, then why do most people have their uvb lights on top of their screen lids? I know a lot take the screen off, but for the people who dont, the reptile still gets that UVB. And the sun is 100 times more powerful than any bulb is, so you cant tell me they wont benefit.

Lets just keep it at that please and no more talking about UVB. I dont want this to be a political thing, I just wanted to express my newest project to you. Although opinions are always nice, I didnt really need any with this one. I pretty much figured everything out for myself.

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Ok I just want to point out one thing. If you REALLY think your animals are still getting UVB, get a UVB meter and check for yourself... but hey if you wanna kill your animals by not giving them the required things, then I guess there isn't really anything anyone can do to stop you....

And btw, the screen will block the uvb but allow more of the longer wavelengths of UVA through. This would be why people can still get sunburned through glass or screen, it takes longer but is possible....

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I hate to say it, but I agree wtih Shell on this one. What's so hard about replacing the screen with some hardware cloth? Instead of guessing, why don't you just use what we know works. It will run you a grand total of $10.

Most tops have spaces 1/4 inch. Screen is much much smaller, that's why lights can go on top of enclosures.

We like your idea, we are just trying to help you get the most of it for your animals.

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My name is Liz
Do what's best for the animal, not what's best for you.

Im not KILLING my reptiles!!! Like I said this is only a play cage. Whether or not they get UVB they still get plenty of it in their cage!

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