Wires

[Griggs2121]

Ok, so I really want to get this cage finished up, but I keep reading different things that I should be dong differnt Aaaarrrrggg!

I'm going to be having some loose wires inside the cage from the flexwatt, and I had been planning to just hid them with some black duct tape or electrical tape, but now I am reading that his isn't a good idea. Possibly clear packing tape. I just don't want loose wires in there. Anybody with an idea?

fyi, my flexwatt IS inside the cage, its just under a piece of plexi so there isn't direct contact between the flexwatt and the animal.

[JLC]

No tape. None of any kind. Just cover up the wires with whatever substrate you're using. If you're using plexi to cover the flexwatt...why not just use it along the entire floor and keep the wires tucked under that?


Still....the whole setup sounds questionable to me. The thought of having something electrical inside the cage with the snake seems like asking for trouble unless you've got the plexi completely sealed off. What happens when the snake urinates along the edges of the cage and the urine seeps down under the plexi and all over the flexwatt?

If my only choice for heating were a heat source INside the cage....I'd go for a radiant heat panel.

[Griggs2121]

the plexi covered the entire inside of the cage. I don't want to put the wires under the plexi because right now the plexi is laying very flat so nothing can get under.

[jglass38]

I agree with Judy. Don't put flexwatt inside the cage unless it is sealed under plexi with silicone. Loose wires in the cage are a bad idea as well.

[jglass38]

the plexi covered the entire inside of the cage. I don't want to put the wires under the plexi because right now the plexi is laying very flat so nothing can get under.

Unless you silicone it can absolutely seep under the Plexi.

[Griggs2121]

This is where the idea came from.
http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...6&page=1&pp=10

The only problem with siliconing it off is what happens if the flexwatt fails? Now I can't replace the flexwatt, and that level of cages is lost.

[jglass38]

This is where the idea came from.
http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...6&page=1&pp=10

The only problem with siliconing it off is what happens if the flexwatt fails? Now I can't replace the flexwatt, and that level of cages is lost.

If it fails you cut the silicone off and replace it after fixing the flexwatt...I would think the safety of your animals would come first.

[Griggs2121]

Hmmm... I guess I didn't know enough about silicone. is there a certain brand or type I should get? How long does it take to dry, or I should say, be safe before I can put snakes in?

[jglass38]

Hmmm... I guess I didn't know enough about silicone. is there a certain brand or type I should get? How long does it take to dry, or I should say, be safe before I can put snakes in?

I didn't read the other thread, is this a wood enclosure? If so, is it sealed?

[Freakie_frog]

just regular ole clear silicone 4.50 at wally-world. it drys in like 15 minutes to half an hour and is a sealer/adheisive. Look around Office Max an the like they carrie a product that we use to cover power cords and phone cords running up the walls. It looks like a hollow square tube but its two peices that snap together and have an adheisive backing. You can cut it to any length and to even turn corners. Seal the flex watt in the bottom and run that up the wall on the inside to hide the cords.

Like this http://www.cabletiesandmore.com/raceways.html

Just my two cents