Jackson's Cage Sealer Help

[Kaianuanu]

Hi im new here. Anyway, today, i built my entire frame for my Jackson's cage i am working on. The base is 3' x 2' and it's 4' tall. I have the 1/4" hardware cloth for it. It may not look like it in the pics but the thing is pretty solid, and yet very lightweight. I also bought some sealant, i want to make sure it's safe though. Below are some pics of everything, including the sealer can. The sealer is called: Olympic MAX!MUM, Deck fence and siding stain. It also says 100% acrylic latex formula. Inside, it is white, tomorrow I'm getting it tinted black if it is safe to use or, i could swap it for something else.

PS: You can click on the pics to enlarge them.

 

[Brad Ramsey]

It's safe.
You're putting a Jackson's chameleon in that enclosure?
You'll never find him!

-Brad

 

[Elizadolots]

Well...not being found is every chameleon's dream...

 

[Kaianuanu]

It's safe.
You're putting a Jackson's chameleon in that enclosure?
You'll never find him!

-Brad

LOL, but i think he'll like it that way though. I was thinking, if i have enough cash, i might get a nosy be or an ambanja. Anyway, i already returned that sealer for some Minwax,water based, semi-gloss, Polycrilic, Polyurethane/Acrylic sealer. So, do you think its nice? im thinking about putting some crown molding trim on the top and bottom edges. Also, how do you think i should color the wood before sealing it??? I was thinking black paint or a lighter stain color. Today i am making lighting mounts. What do you guys recommend for the lighting and heating of this thing? I was going to use a 100w basking bulb on a dimmer lamp and a 60w clear household lamp on the cool side. And then a 4' Repti-Sun 10.0 for UV.

 

[Kaianuanu]

Oops i cant delete this comment.

 

[xanthoman]

personally i would seal it with easily tintable food grade polyester resin available wherever fiberglass supplies are sold. it will last way longer than any sort of deck/woodworking sealer and that way you know its safe. it doesnt need to be used with cloth, you can just brush it on. i know its a huge cage but they can still crawl on the wire and those wattages seem a little high for a xanth (depending on how close to the bulbs he can get) i would use a 60watt halogen on the warm side and a 40w incandescent on the cool side, especially if it was already warm outside. what ever you use, i would triple check your basking temps throughout the day, especially if the bulbs are already right at the wire . jmo

 

[Todnedo]

I'm going to use this http://www.soyclean.biz/household_products/soyseal-wood-sealer-and-waterproofer.html on my next enclosure

 

[Kaianuanu]

What do you guys think about my lighting and heating plan for this thing? I was going to use a 100w basking bulb on a dimmer lamp and a 60w clear household lamp on the cool side. And then a 4' Repti-Sun 10.0 for UV. Maybe a 50w infrared bulb for night time.

 

[Kaianuanu]

I'm going to use this http://www.soyclean.biz/household_products/soyseal-wood-sealer-and-waterproofer.html on my next enclosure

Can i see a pic of an enclosure you built???

PS: I'm not sure if you guys knew this but i thought id just mention that im only 14

 

[Reed7786]

ill be starting my new cage soon, i'm looking at this stuff for sealer, its a 1 time app, non toxic and pretty cheap comparing it around

http://www.cedarcidestore.com/catalog/item/3343694/2896214.htm

 

[Todnedo]

 

[Kaianuanu]

Hey, is 1/4" mesh okay??? i saw somewhere say to use 1/2" mesh but i know alot of people use 1/4". Also, could i spray paint my mesh black?

 

[Reed7786]

im going with the pet screen form this place and prolly a bigger aluminum screen on top

http://www.metroscreenworks.com/

 

[jpw0006]

What do you guys think about my lighting and heating plan for this thing? I was going to use a 100w basking bulb on a dimmer lamp and a 60w clear household lamp on the cool side. And then a 4' Repti-Sun 10.0 for UV. Maybe a 50w infrared bulb for night time.

I'm no expert, but in my experience a 100w basking bulb produces way too much heat. It nearly killed my first chameleon despite increased misting and drips. If you do decide to use it, you should monitor the temperature frequently.

 

[Kaianuanu]

I already have the 100w and i have a dimmer lamp to regulate it. I knew it'd probably be too much.

 

[VeiledOwner87]

what an awsome and very nice build. i am designing my cage, and this is awsome because it looks pretty much identical to it and the same dimensions i was wondering, what size wood is that, i like how you linked them all together, it must be pretty light-weight. could you give me some tips?

 

[joshua n janet]

what an awsome and very nice build. i am designing my cage, and this is awsome because it looks pretty much identical to it and the same dimensions i was wondering, what size wood is that, i like how you linked them all together, it must be pretty light-weight. could you give me some tips?

some day ill build a big big cage

 

[Kaianuanu]

i just painted it and altogether it took me about 4 hours for the one coat of black. In about 2 hours, i will be doin my first of three coats of Poyurethane.