Tile as a substrate?

Hi guys and gals,

I recently picked up a large (4x2x2) enclosure for my boa and the floor is lined with hard tile, not the plastic kind, the ceramic kind. Other than some very large remnants of fecal matter (nothing a good cleaning wont take care of) It is very nicely done, and looks like it would make for a nice substrate, but seeing as how I am so new to all of this I know it could also be a big no-no!

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
Josh

Many people do that for lizards but for snakes, I'd still put paper or a substrate down so they are not crawling through the mess when they urinate.. Yucky!

Looks nice and keeps the wood water proof but you still need something that will absorb the waste and spilled water if the snake gets in it's bowl.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Foschi Exotic Serpents

Many people do that for lizards but for snakes, I'd still put paper or a substrate down so they are not crawling through the mess when they urinate.. Yucky!

Looks nice and keeps the wood water proof but you still need something that will absorb the waste and spilled water if the snake gets in it's bowl.

---

Perfect! That's exactly what I was looking for! :gj:

I will just put down my normal eco-earth on top of it!

How is the cage heated? A floor like that will not be easy to regulate with an under tank heater.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Foschi Exotic Serpents

How is the cage heated? A floor like that will not be easy to regulate with an under tank heater.

---

Can you read my mind?!?! :O

I was actually just wondering how I was going to heat it! It has two large holes on top for heat lamps (like for a 10" lamp) and I was wondering what all I should get. I already decided I need two 10" lamps, and two CHE's, however I do not know what wattage CHE's I need?!?! I figured I could get 2 150W's and adjust them accordingly or maybe a 150W and a 100W....The lamps I was looking at are adjustable so I could adjust them as needed...

I really appreciate you asking that question! I was wondering if I was going to have to start a new thread to ask it!

Pick up a radiant heat panel for one side. If the cage is primarily enclosed, that should be all you need. They work great for cages like that. They mount to the top inside. Then run the cord out through the opening for a lamp. On the other side you can just get a very low wattage fluorescent bulb so you can have some light during the day to see it.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Foschi Exotic Serpents

Pick up a radiant heat panel for one side. If the cage is primarily enclosed, that should be all you need. They work great for cages like that. They mount to the top inside. Then run the cord out through the opening for a lamp. On the other side you can just get a very low wattage fluorescent bulb so you can have some light during the day to see it.

---

Well that solves my problem...and saves me a ton of money from what I was looking at doing! I don't mean to probe, or ask to much, but would you have one that you would suggest (brand and/or size)?

If not, I REALLY appreciate all of your help!

Thanks,
Josh

Here is info on RHP's from Reptile Basics..

http://www.reptilebasics.com/radiant-panel-faq

Boaphile Plastics...

http://www.boaphileplastics.com/radiant.html

These are the 2 that people use the most. Check out these sites for info on size and usage.