Questions about Building Terrariums

[Cloudeia]

Hey everyone
So my boyfriend wants a bearded dragon and I want a Ball Python. We want to give them the space they need, so around a 40 gallon tank that's long and wide but not very high. We want to build the terrariums ourselves because it allows us to give themthe dimensions we want and it's supposed to be more cost-efficient, so we'd rather build our own and save some money rather than buying a really expensive terrarium that doesn't even have the dimensions we want.
My only concerns are the wood. We would like to build them out of wood with a glass viewing in the front, and lockable glass doors on the top. We want to heat the terrarium using heat pads underneath, and so we need wood that is safe for Ball pythons and bearded dragons, is humidity/water resistant which I know is available, but I'm concerned about having the heat pads underneath the wood, if it would cause a fire or burning or any complications of that sort, so any information regarding that would be great!

[PitOnTheProwl]

Together??
A 40 is plenty for a dragon and more than a ball will need.
Both need floor space, not height.
Read some care sheets before you build something you cant use.
Also UTH should always be regulated and wood doesnt ignite at 95 degrees. If you are set on building then radient heat panels would be better.

[Amberjames]

I have a 85-90 gallon terrarium that just won't keep a constant temperature and if it does, it won't go over 80. How can I heat the glass terrarium without drying out the air even more? I have a UTH made to heat a 30 gallon tank, and 2 heat lamps I use to make it warm, but it really dries out the air and I'd like to keep the humidity up....

Any idea if UTHs come in that size, or will I have to get a couple of 50 gallon size?

Any suggestions are welcome!

[PitOnTheProwl]

I have a 85-90 gallon terrarium that just won't keep a constant temperature and if it does, it won't go over 80. How can I heat the glass terrarium without drying out the air even more? I have a UTH made to heat a 30 gallon tank, and 2 heat lamps I use to make it warm, but it really dries out the air and I'd like to keep the humidity up....

Any idea if UTHs come in that size, or will I have to get a couple of 50 gallon size?

Any suggestions are welcome!

What are you keeping in it and how are you regulating your heat mat?

[Amberjames]

I'm keeping a rather large female ball python. I regulate the little corner with the pad with a rheostat to make sure it doesn't get too hot, which it doesn't get anywhere near. At night, the heat lamp doesn't have enough heat and sucks the humidity out

[PitOnTheProwl]

I would downsize to something more reasonable for that animal. 40g breeder is more than enought.
If thats s problem for you then you may need to get a radient heat panel.

[JessPets]

I'm not trying to be mean, but have you (or your bf) done research on bearded dragons? A 40 gallon, IMO, is the absolute smallest you will want to go. Besides that, heat pads shouldn't be used with beardies, as they don't feel heat from their stomach and therefore can get easily burned. I would recommend this forum: https://www.beardeddragon.org/index.php I am on there with the same user name as on here

[NJ Balls]

Ball pythons and bearded dragons require two completely opposite environments. Bearded dragons are more of a desert type environment and need over head heat with UV full spectrum lighting. Balls require a more tropical environment with high humidity and don't really need the full spectrum lighting.

[Amberjames]

I know, I'm just wanting to know if I could use 2 UTHs paired to heat the tank or if it would be too much