Advice on building cages..?

I'm new at this and could use some helpful advice. I'm planning on building a stack of 4 snake cages from barrister's bookcases. My main question is on heating these. I like the idea of radiant heat panels, but they're too expensive for me. I'm thinking of heat mats on the cage floors, but would have to have something (glass, vinyl, melamine ?) above them to prevent direct contact. I am thinking of monitoring temps with min/max thermometers and controlling mats with a dimmer switch. Or is there some infrared heat in the shape of a bar or tube that I could run top to bottom outside the (screened) back of these cages? Advice on any of this?
I plan on removing half or more of the backing board on the cases and installing screening for ventilation and lighting. What size screening would be the best choice? I was thinking 1/8 mesh.
Occupants would be corns, bps, maybe pines.
I'm a new member here.
thanks for any help.

:welcome:

I would recommend heat mats if you can't afford radiant heat panels. You have to completely seal them from the inhabited space. Glass, tile, vinyl, they all work fairly well. You could also use back heat which involves running a big piece of flexwatt down the back of the cage. This requires a thermostat.

Accurite weather stations are a good option for measuring temps. A temp gun would also be nice.

I would not recommend using only a dimmer. A thermostat really is a must.

I am not sure how you are constructing this, but I wouldn't use screen at all if you can avoid it. You could use some small vents or drill some 1/8"-1/4" holes on the sides.

Since most snakes are nocturnal you don't really need lights. If you want some viewing lighting you could use cold cathodes or led lights.

Good luck!

There are some great cages in our DIY forum...check it out! :D Welcome to the board!!:D