Here's the Enclosure I Built

[danimal]

Since hind sight is 20/20 and I didn't find this forum until after it was built, I now know it's much too tall and a bit long for a BP's needs, but I went with it anyway. I've been able to maintain a hot side of 92 and a cool side of 82 with ease. Humidity is a little low at 40% but if I mist it goes up, so I'll have to keep up on that.

On the left side is a moist hide with sphagnum moss. I put a rock on top to keep her from knocking the lid off, and we found the plants at a craft store. The water pan is a small kitty litter tray. Behind the water pan is a tree we had in her old tank, and then to the right is her stone hide we moved over.

I put in an indoor outdoor thermometer/hygrometer, you can see it on the left side mounted low on the wall, and fed the probe over to the hot side, where it pokes out from under that rock right in front of the hide.

2 heat lamps, a 250 on the cool side that is barely turned on, and a 150 on the right side that is about 3/4 the way up on the dimmer. I had the 250 on the right side, but it seemed to have less even coverage, like there was a cooler spot in the center, so I decided to use that on the cool side. I'll probably get another 100 or 150 bulb for that. I tried a 75 earlier today and it didn't keep it warm enough. Both of the bulbs are wired to separate dimmers, which are mounted in a switch box on top of the cage. I also have a vent like you'd use on a heat duct on top, that can be opened and closed to help regulate things. The entire top part is hinged and opens up for access to the bulbs, and the window in front is hinged at the bottom, to allow for easy cleaning and access to the cage floor. The whole cage is about 4' long, about 21" deep, and the window is 24" tall including the frame around it. The light box is 6" tall.

When we put her in, she explored all over, took a soak in the nice warm water, and then retired to her hide on the right side of the cage.

[STORMS]

Looks great! My only suggestions (if you are looking for any)...first and foremost cover the lights somehow, some way so your snake
can NOT get to them. The burns will be horrible and it's not something you want to deal with. Also, like you mentioned, since the tank is a bit large for a BP - clutter it up by throwing in more plants and stuff. It will make your BP feel much more secure without all the open space.

But seriously it looks great! You want to build one for me???

[danimal]

Thanks lenastorms- I've been contemplating how I'm going to cover the lights and not make it look like crap. Not an easy task. I tried chicken wire, it was fugly. I'm thinking of some kind of screen mesh made into a cube to go around the bulbs and mount that to the lid.

Those plants were not real expensive so we can get more of those. I was worried about food escaping in too much vegetation though (we have fed live prey since day 1).

Now that I have one built the next one will me much easier and better designed. I did a lot of trial and error on this. I'm pretty good with this kind of stuff but this was a unique project.

[STORMS]

Thanks lenastorms- I've been contemplating how I'm going to cover the lights and not make it look like crap. Not an easy task. I tried chicken wire, it was fugly. I'm thinking of some kind of screen mesh made into a cube to go around the bulbs and mount that to the lid.

Those plants were not real expensive so we can get more of those. I was worried about food escaping in too much vegetation though (we have fed live prey since day 1).

Now that I have one built the next one will me much easier and better designed. I did a lot of trial and error on this. I'm pretty good with this kind of stuff but this was a unique project.

I was thinking mesh something-or-another as well....but you are right about the "fugly" thing. I hear ya on that one, but fugly is a lot cheaper and easier to deal with than a snake with bad burns As for the plants....on feeding day I remove the plants that are "ground cover" if you will and replace them after feeding once the snake has retreated back into the hide.

[pillowtalk6188]

i think they sell square plastic covers for lights at home depot. pretty sure. just an idea.

[STORMS]

i think they sell square plastic covers for lights at home depot. pretty sure. just an idea.

Geez, why didn't I think of that....you're right they sure do
That is a great idea and a quick, inexpensive fix, which makes it that much better

[RichardA]

Looks great.....the being too tall helps keep your snakes off the lights too.

[STORMS]

Looks great.....the being too tall helps keep your snakes off the lights too.

It would have to be a VERY small snake IMO to not be able to reach the lights I'm looking at that branch that it could climb right up on to get to the lights. I say why risk it, but that is just me and my humble opinion

[RichardA]

I didnt say not to cover the lights....you already covered that part, I merely stated it would help with the light issue being tall.

[STORMS]

I didnt say not to cover the lights....you already covered that part, I merely stated it would help with the light issue being tall.

Gottcha