Drainage Questions

[Olimpia]

I am redoing my current drainage system because and the little drainage tables I made for my 2' x 2' x 4' cages have started leaking water at the edges, even though I siliconed them. I'm getting the feeling I'm going to have to throw them out and start over, I think, because they aren't really working. So I guess I have two options:

1. What sealant is everyone using that won't leak? I'm using one but I don't think it's good enough. What do you make your wood structures completely waterproof with?

2. I've also been looking at the pre-made trays on LLLReptile and on various rabbit keeping sites, but they're a little expensive at $20 a simple plastic tray. Not when I can build two whole tables for that amount of money (I'm a poor student! lol). If anyone knows where I can find one (or something similar) for less money I would probably prefer that to building anything and risk it leaking again.

Thanks in advance!

 

[SliK JiM]

Silicone is definitely the sealant you want, but it will struggle to bind and form a good seal if the surface isn't smooth.

If the wood is constantly wet, you want something like yaught varnish (but this is pretty expensive varnish). If its not constantly soaking, then a normal polyurethane varnish will do to seal it. Give it a couple of coats and it'll be fine.

 

[Olimpia]

OK thanks, I need something that is good for wood that's always wet.

 

[Goggles]

I put a stainless steel pan with a lip in the bottom of mine. Has been working well for almost a year now. I put paper on top to make clean up easy.

 

[Olimpia]

I've been seeing that people find some pans that go inside their cages, instead of under them - do those work really well? I'm worried that insects might be able to get between the pan and the screen and just drive me crazy.

 

[Goggles]

When I had him in his little cage I made a pan that the cage sat in.
Now that he is in a 2' x 3' x 4' cage I had to make one to fit inside.
It does fit snug so I have yet to have a bug get down between the pan and the wood. They do like to hide in the paper in the bottom though.