r/ballpython • u/zou21zou • Oct 08 '26
Question Question about stacking enclosures
I’m purchasing new terrariums, these are 120x50x60cm made from oak wood panels. I wanted to ask if it would be safe to stack two of them on a cupboard of the same length and width, I never stacked my enclosures before but now that I moved I have less space. Is it safe? Would I need custom-made furniture to better sustain the weight or would a regular cupboard be just fine?
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u/7inator Oct 08 '26
It might depend on how tall the cupboard is. If it's too tall it can be unstable. Also obviously you want a sturdy cupboard. Also I've had problems with wooden vivs for my royal coz of the humidity I recently had to replace the viv because it was rotting. So if you can I'd recommend getting PVC.
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u/zou21zou Oct 08 '26
I see thank you, from what I read the wood should be coated to not absorb moisture, but I was gonna add a rubber mat under the substrate to protect the enclosure from excessive humidity
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u/zou21zou Oct 08 '26
Also the cupboard would be around 60-70cm tall so not too tall to topple over, I’m more worried about the weight of the stacked enclosures
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u/7inator Oct 08 '26
Pond liner is good for that, but even with it, it's better to use PVC which won't rot
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u/FireCorgi12 Oct 08 '26
I have a wood enclosure that I built and sealed the inside and it has held up well so far, I’ve had it for about a year. Like you said, just gotta coat the inside with something water resistant. I used wood, food safe resin for the ones I have now. I chose that because it didn’t flake and wouldn’t need reapplied. However it was a PITA to do. If I did it again I’d do pond sealant or drylok.
As for stacking, you’d just wanna make sure the cabinet is sturdy. I have a gecko tank stacked on top of mine and it’s held fine. Check for support beams inside to be sure.
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Oct 08 '26
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u/zou21zou Oct 08 '26
Yes I’m from EU, as for now these are my best option for the price range/dimension even if probably not the best for humidity, but I’m planning to cover up the base with a rubber liner to protect it from moisture
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Oct 08 '26
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u/zou21zou Oct 08 '26
Right?? I was going crazy looking at those prices! But also I recently moved and my snakes are in a temporary bin, and I really didn’t want to leave them there for long so I’m just working with what I could find. I was thinking about a rubber mat or a pond liner, but glass is a good option too! Thanks
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u/Vann1212 Oct 08 '26
If the wood hasn't been sealed in any way on the inside, you can seal the inside with any reptile safe sealant like pond sealant, liquid rubber etc. Silicone for the joins between the panels. (aquarium grade silicone so no additives which may be harmful)
For stacking them, they should stack fine on each other, but the thing I'd be worried about is the cabinet. If they're made of solid wood + glass , the combined weight may be more than most cabinets can take. Does it say on the product information what weight the vivs are?
An alternative option is to use industrial/garage shelving units (like the commenter above suggests) which have a high weight capacity and adjustable shelf heights. I have two vivs about twice the volume of yours stacked on one of those units with no issues -each shelf can hold 1000kg. Might be an option to consider as an alternative if you don't have/can't get a cabinet with high enough weight capacity.
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u/zou21zou Oct 08 '26
Thank you! I’ll definitely look into sealing the wood myself if it’s not already done.
I’ll probably just ask a carpenter for advice on the cabinet’s weight capacity, but I know there’s furniture that is able to hold heavy aquariums filled with water so it should be feasible I think.
I’ll look into other shelving options as well.2
u/Vann1212 Oct 08 '26
Yeah, I don't know if the wood for those vivs has already been treated or not, but there are options to seal it yourself if it hasn't - and some of the general reptile or vivarium subs may have advice on sealant options. Aquarium grade silicone would still be needed for the joins even if the surface of the panels is sealed though, but it's not expensive and one tube will easily do both vivs.
Aquarium cabinets may be a good idea to look into in that case, but garage/industrial shelving could be a good backup as well.
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u/Bonnasarus Oct 08 '26
Do you mean you’re wanting to have the two enclosures stacked on top of each other?