Built the enclosure, but need help with one detail :)

I'm a soon to be proud owner of a African Rock Python (courtesy of one of BP.net's own forum members), and I've been building up a cage for the past few days while I wait its arrival.

Using Melamine (well melamine coated on both sides, extra durable particle board core) sheets that are 3/4" thick, and securing it pretty well with a front panel Lexan plexiglass locking door/window, I've constructed a nice 7x3x3 habitat for the new friend coming very soon!

There's only one problem... lol, I have thermostats, tempguns, etc... but I have no idea on what to buy to heat this behemoth of a cage.

After the purchase of the pet, the purchase for all equipment needed to build the enclosure (yes, melamine isnt cheap, nor is plexiglass), my budget for the build has twindled down to a mere $120 left, which I'm sure can get plenty of heating equipment... I'm not just sure what to buy.

Any suggestions folks? I'm not sure stickon heatpads will sufficie as it does for my ball pythons sterilite cages, lol.

I also need to make sure, and even though it is coated with melamine (which provides some heat resistance), that it doesnt catch the enclosure on fire and harm the little guy (well, big guy...)

You could use heat panels.

http://www.reptilebasics.com/rbi-radiant-heat_panels/

I'd go with a large radiant heat panel for a large cage like that.

edit: Jon is a thunder-stealer!

For an enclosure that size I would recommend a Radiant Heat Panel. I use them for all of my enclosures and they not only provide a "hot spot" but they also raise the ambient temp of the whole enclosure, which heat pads don"t do. They are more expensive than heat pads or bulbs, but they will last 10-15 years.

http://www.reptilebasics.com/rbi-radiant-heat_panels/

if you email Rich with the size of your enclosure and the species you are keeping in it, he will recommend the appropriate size panel to suit your needs.

how about some pics of your enclosure??? i'd love to see it...

damn!!! you guys are quick! you beat me to it.

think a 160 plus 40 watt should suffice, or just a 160? its a pretty think enclosure, theres suffiencient venting, but is 160 too much or too little? ambient temp in my place is around 70 to 75 degrees

and who is this rich fella i should email? I've heard him mentioned a couple of times, but not quite sure who it is.

I'll take some pics of my newly built cage as soon as el gigante arrives, to get some good first shots of him in his happy new home :)

actually, according to that site, a 120 watt panel should be sufficient, and a 160watt may be overkill, as its made for 6'x8' cages... would that seem to be correct?

I think the 160 watt may be better only because your enclosure is 3 feet tall. If it is too strong, you can always dial back your thermostat or rheostat.

btw...Rich is the owner of Reptile Basics. If you email him, he will give you his expert opinion on which size you need. Just go to the "Contact Us" tab on his website.

id go with the 160 it may be a little overkill but you should have complete control with the thermostat you get for it.