Installing an RHP in a melamine cage?

I'm thinking about upgrading my dum to a melamine cage.

Assuming I decide to get the reptilebasics RHP in the future, would it be easy to install into the cage? Do I just need to screw in the corners? I'm just wondering what the steps are to install it myself into melamine.

Note my lack of handiness and not knowing how to build anything LOL

Screw it in place and plug it into the thermostat, nothing to it.

You screw it in where you want it, then route the power cord through the cage and crimp on the plug, takes about 5 minutes.

RB will send a sheet telling you about placement.

Beware of the supplied screws! The 6-7 units that I have purchased came with screws too long even for 1/2 inch PVC. :mad:

I have the pro heat panels and they come with screws and nuts. They were also too long for the thickness of my cage. I assume the RB panels have the same thing. I preferred to use T-nuts and shorter screws so that I could have a flush upper surface on my enclosure.


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I use rhp's in my melamine cages. My only recommendation in addition to the above advice is to put some dap 3.0 (or equivalent) on the holes the screws go in. When working with melamine it is imperative to retain the integrity of the protective cover and really seal anywhere that cover is drilled, poked, cracked or otherwise broken.

Cool! Thanks guys. :D Ordered the melamine cage from a local builder... $165 for 48x18x18 including fluorescent lights and circle vents, and thankfully put together for me upon pickup (and not separated panels like ordering cages online). Not bad eh!

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Originally Posted by redshepherd

Cool! Thanks guys. :D Ordered the melamine cage from a local builder... $165 for 48x18x18 including fluorescent lights and circle vents, and thankfully put together for me upon pickup (and not separated panels like ordering cages online). Not bad eh!

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If you haven't picked it up yet, maybe, for a little extra fee, the builder would be willing to have the RHP shipped to his shop, and he could install it for you? I like carpentry, but if you've neither the tools, nor interest, it might seem like a DIY PITA. He would probably do a nicer job.

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Originally Posted by distaff

If you haven't picked it up yet, maybe, for a little extra fee, the builder would be willing to have the RHP shipped to his shop, and he could install it for you? I like carpentry, but if you've neither the tools, nor interest, it might seem like a DIY PITA. He would probably do a nicer job.

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I considered it, but decided I should wait a bit before spending another $150 on the RHP and decent thermostat, which is why I made the thread actually- just to make sure it's easy enough for me to do later on when I need it LOL. But I'll just be using the CHE and UTH for now. =) CHE fixture is also built in.

That is a pretty good price imo. My buddy and I built 3 a few months ago and are finishing another 3 at the moment. The melamine, other wood (for building the frame for the door tracks) and sealer alone was about 150.00. That does not include the glass, tracks or lighting and that was just for 3. By the time it's all said and done I will probably have 1300.00 in the 6 cages. Mine are 12" tall x 49" long x 20" deep.
300.00 for material
200.00 for tracks, locks and full spectrum led lighting
650.00 for 6 rhp's, a thermostat and hides
70.00 for the shelving that the cages sit on
100 for the glass.

Looking back I could have done it cheaper buying pre-made but I needed specific dimensions.