Building custom shelving units! Have a few questions!

[tikigator]

Hi everyone!! Well I am very happy to announce that I now own a total of 7 BPs I am so excited and absolutely adore them! I have, however, decided that I need a system that is a little more practical for owning 7 snakes. I currently have them in various size tanks (the 2 larger males are in 40 breeders, my medium female is in a 30 breeder, and the little guys are in 20Ls) I currently have heat lamps, which are a pain because I have cords everywhere...and I have to hold up the light to open the top of the tank to get to them. I am a very systematic type of person and I like everything to be uniform and "ergonomic" so to speak. I COMPLETELY understand why breeders use "racks" and shelving units to keep their BPs in.....it is pretty much the only practical and effective way to keep that many snakes....and if/when I start breeding and get babies I will surely turn to using a snake rack to keep them in. however, right now, my snakes are pets and I love to be able to see them and check on them and so I really think this idea is going to suit my needs the best

I found this video on youtube....it's only about 2 minutes long, but this is what I would like to build! rather than trying to explain it, you guys can see exactly what I have in mind!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOxhj...3D60B2580442B0

I would like to build one that has shelves the size of 40 breeders (so 36" X 18") and then another set for my younger smaller snakes that are between 100-300g and that one will probably have units the size of 28"X12".

I want my pythons' home to be cozy and healthy so I have a few questions that I hope some of you can help me answer.

#1 I have been told BPs do not need UV lighting. I have also noticed that breeders who have those huge snake racks that keep the snakes in drawers do not have lights in each drawer. (Obviously if you do not have another means of a heat sourse then yes they need a heat lamp....but) I have been told the lighting is soley to simulate the "sun" so the snakes know when it's daylight and night time.....so my first questions is, I do not need to have lighting in the units correct?

#2 I would like input on how to heat each unit. In the video the guy uses a heat cord/wire.....can you guys give me input as far as using that heat wire vs. heat tape vs. heat pads?

#3 Based on your answer to question #2, does it matter whether I use real glass or plexiglass to cover the said heat device? This guy in the video used a piece of glass....but obviously breeders who have to use the tape, etc to heat drawers have plastic (usually sterilite) drawers so I thought there would be no reason why I could not use plexiglass (for none other than it's more cost effective and won't break)

To give some more info on my persnal preferences I currently use (and will continue using) repti-carpet in my cages. And I will most likely have the front door drop down on hinges rather than slide like in the video. My dad has been unbelievably supportive in my new hobby and has offered to help me build my unit (which is great because power tools are not one of my strengths in life, haha! )

I greatly appreciate any input you guys could give me regarding the lighting and heating.

Oh, and if anyone wants to put their 2 cents in about the cage sizing (if they would be acceptable sizes for BPs) that would be appreciated as well!

Thank you thank you thank you!!

[PitOnTheProwl]

#1 I have been told BPs do not need UV lighting. I have also noticed that breeders who have those huge snake racks that keep the snakes in drawers do not have lights in each drawer. (Obviously if you do not have another means of a heat sourse then yes they need a heat lamp....but) I have been told the lighting is soley to simulate the "sun" so the snakes know when it's daylight and night time.....so my first questions is, I do not need to have lighting in the units correct?

They dont need UVBs and CHEs will also help kill humidity. So to answer your question, no you dont have to have lighting. The enclosures I build usually get a 15wt fluorescent lighting just for human appeal

#2 I would like input on how to heat each unit. In the video the guy uses a heat cord/wire.....can you guys give me input as far as using that heat wire vs. heat tape vs. heat pads?

heat pads and heat tape (flexwatt) are basically the same thing just that the pads are covered in the plastic/rubber coating. I have never used heat cable but I would wounder how well it would work to heat a spot evenly, couldnt be any worse than flexwatt as long as it is totally covered so your snake cant wrap around the cable and get burned.

#3 Based on your answer to question #2, does it matter whether I use real glass or plexiglass to cover the said heat device? This guy in the video used a piece of glass....but obviously breeders who have to use the tape, etc to heat drawers have plastic (usually sterilite) drawers so I thought there would be no reason why I could not use plexiglass (for none other than it's more cost effective and won't break)

My enclosures get glass, heating and cooling will weaken plasic and plexi over time.

[tikigator]

Thanks so much for your input!! I really appreciate the advice!

The enclosures I build usually get a 15wt fluorescent lighting just for human appeal

Do the 15wt bulbs get hot? Do you have them inside the cages? I saw someone on youtube put a long flourescent light inside their cage but I am afraid my snakes will get burned. But I would like to somehow light it if possible, like you said just for human appeal

[PitOnTheProwl]

Do the 15wt bulbs get hot? Do you have them inside the cages? I saw someone on youtube put a long flourescent light inside their cage but I am afraid my snakes will get burned. But I would like to somehow light it if possible, like you said just for human appeal

Go to Lowes or HomeDepot and look at what they stock in 12" to 18" under-cabinet lighting, they are completely sealed except for the switch being inside the enclosure. I run all mine on a surge strip so I can turn it off and they all go off. I have only had one snake flip the switch off in her enclosure. It took me a while to think to look at the switch, I thought the bulb went out so I went and bought a new one and replaced it and it still didnt come on Then I noticed the rocker switch was off

[tikigator]

Go to Lowes or HomeDepot and look at what they stock in 12" to 18" under-cabinet lighting, they are completely sealed except for the switch being inside the enclosure.

Oh perfect!! Thanks so much for the idea!! See this is why I need a man in my life who knows about building stuff and cabinetry and power tools, lol.