This is my new setup so far, I want to use ceder planks for the sides, covered with layers of plastic,

[Tyson]

Hope it's safe if there is plastic over it, if so, I have all I need, if not ill need to find something else for the sides.

[Eel Noob]

Pine and cedar are usually not the best for animals. I have no experience with any type of DIY projects but would probably recommend going with a different type of wood.

[Tyson]

Pine and cedar are usually not the best for animals. I have no experience with any type of Do It Yourself projects but would probably recommend going with a different type of wood.

Darn, the cedar is inexpensive, pine is just as bad, I'll keep looking for something to use

[maxQ]

What are you planning on putting in it when its complete?


Using Tapatalk

[Tyson]

What are you planning on putting in it when its complete?


Using Tapatalk

after I find a siding, and then put plastic down, making this for my African bullfrogs. It will have tons of plants, a 2 foot wide water feature, a waterfall feature, several basking areas, and digging areas.

[Eel Noob]

after I find a siding, and then put plastic down, making this for my African bullfrogs. It will have tons of plants, a 2 foot wide water feature, a waterfall feature, several basking areas, and digging areas.

What type of plastic?

[Tyson]

What type of plastic?

3.5 mil black plastic sheeting, made in USA of recycled plastic. It won't be touching them, but can the fumes be a problem? They won't be able to dig down to it as the only places they will be able to dig are separate containers filled with coconut soil.

[Eel Noob]

so I'm guessing these will be joined with acrylic glue? I know that pine and cedar shavings are bad for animals (causes respiratory issues, etc) so I'm guessing it might hold true for frogs as well.

[deranged chipmunk]

Simply put, if it is going to have weight, rocks and water, I am going to use a nice piece of tough pond liner

[Tyson]

Simply put, if it is going to have weight, rocks and water, I am going to use a nice piece of tough pond liner

O! Not worried about that part, the rocks are supported by the wood, not the liner, and the water is in a preformed 2 foot insert, the plastic is just a layer to keep any splashing from hurting the wood, and protecting from and wood oil/fumes, just a barrier, I was going to put two or more layers of it, it's 3.5 mil thick, so between 7 and 9.5 thick of it. I'm even putting one water insert inside of the other so I can't leave one in for the shape, and take the other out to clean

[deranged chipmunk]

I figured the plastic was not supporting the interior, however, the problem lies in the fact that plastic sheeting is weak, no matter how many layers you have. Take a piece and lay it on the sidewalk and walk across it. That is the inverse of what is happening in the structure. Those tiny bumps that form weaken the plastic. Pond liner is designed for that purpose, hence the reason it is normally made from vinyl not plastic. And it's funny how we think we planned for all disaster scenarios, we always end up using the shop vac..... Lol

Just my $.02. But i would never trust plastic to a project like this where there is any water involved

[Tyson]

I figured the plastic was not supporting the interior, however, the problem lies in the fact that plastic sheeting is weak, no matter how many layers you have. Take a piece and lay it on the sidewalk and walk across it. That is the inverse of what is happening in the structure. Those tiny bumps that form weaken the plastic. Pond liner is designed for that purpose, hence the reason it is normally made from vinyl not plastic. And it's funny how we think we planned for all disaster scenarios, we always end up using the shop vac..... Lol

Just my $.02. But i would never trust plastic to a project like this where there is any water involved

I think it will hold up fine, but I can't stand the way it looks, I'm getting that stuff from Home Depot that repairs decks, thick and paints on, that way no wood is touching the frogs, but it makes a stone like surface. I think it will look much better.

[Tyson]

Or maybe plexiglass, but either way, the plastic is only for a month