How do I use foil to keep heat in cage?

[tubeyes]

Hello all! New BP owner, just getting everything set up and finalized for his cage.

I was wondering if there was a special way to use foil when keeping heat in the cage, or do you just coat the bottom and 3 sides of the cage with it? I've read a little about people doing it, but I couldn't seem to find a proper guide to the best/most recommended way of foiling.

Anyone have any suggestions, pointers or redirects?

Thanks!

edit:

I'm using a UTH and the equivalent of a 10 g plastic tub.

[Argentra]

I'm no expert on tubs, in fact I'm just now setting one up as my girl's winter home. However, for insulation on the back and sides I would recommend cork board over foil. Also, make sure your tub is raised up a bit for the UTH.

Let's see what the tub people say.

[tubeyes]

Cork board over foil eh? I'll have to look into that. So on the back and sides only, not on the bottom? I suppose foil on the bottom may block heat as others have mentioned. I've also read a little about putting foil under the UTH to reflect more heat back into the cage.

I definitely have the cage raised! I found that out long ago the hard way when a tub cage I had made got to hot from direct contact and bowed up. Eeek!!!

[Argentra]

... Umm, meant to say INSTEAD of foil... sorry.

The only real use for foil as a heat holder would be if you had a glass tank. Foil then goes on the screen lid and on the bottom to distribute the heat across the tank since glass does NOT hold it.

For a tub, I don't think that would be necessary, but then as I said I have little to no experience with them yet.

[dsirkle]

I have found that those sun screens that you place in the inside of a car windshield to reflect the suns rays and keep the interior of a car from getting hot in the summer are made from the same thing as reflectivex insulation (durable metal foil over bubblewrap).These are often available in dollar stores and such places really cheap or maybe you can find one laying around somewhere. You can cut them with scissors into any size or shape.

[Jae iLL]

I just recently switched to a tub, I'd like to hear some answers to this question also.

[tubeyes]

Haha, I wasn't even thinking of over as going literally over, that's funny!

So foil for glass, and for a tub probably cork board or the reflective car windshield thing. Neat.

The only reason I'm worried is because during the day the cage stays around 90~, but at night it gets around 75~ which is no good at all.

Or is it... Is it okay for their temperature to go down during the night? I wouldn't think so, but I have no idea. I'll probably get another UTH to put on the side as well as on the bottom. At the moment I only have one UTH on the bottom and a really really really weak low voltage red light.

[jason4173]

I am pretty new to the keeping of BPs as well but unless I am mistaken all of the homework that I have done up to this point indicates that a night time temp drop to the mid 70's is ok, but should still provide a cooler basking spot with temps around 80ish, daytime ambient temps of 80-85 with basking of 90. So, from what I have read so far, and as I said I am new at this too, the temp drop to mid 70s should be ok...any objections or other advice, I know there are lots of very skilled people on here that have taught me tons already!!

THANKS TO YOU ALL!!!!

[jonf]

there could be a misunderstanding here. Are you sure you are not speaking of "foil tape"? This kind of tape is widely used to secure heat tape under tubs and under/in cages and incubators. Can't say I've ever heard of using actual foil to insulate tubs or cages........?? But theres a lot of stuff I've never heard of!

[tubeyes]

Yeah, the rumor I had heard was actually about using regular old kitchen style tin foil to wrap around the sides to keep heat in. Don't know if there are any actual benefits or if it is just legend. I would think it would make for one butt ugly cage background though. :]

But I would only need it for the temporary night drop to 75~. And if this is okay, then everything is cosher.

jason4173 says it's okay, anyone else got any differing opinions on this? If not, I won't have to worry about all this foil nonsense. ;>