4'x2' Cage almost done..Pics

Hi,
These two spots are for my ball and stp...and someday a boa...The frames were the hardest part....

Almost done except letting the glues dry.

Whats the best way to put the flexwatt in this situation? Im stumped :taz: as far as waterproofing connections and flexwatt(snakes waste seeping under the flexwatt).
Hot glue?
Silicone?
Back heat(on the top)?
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...s/DSC03307.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...s/DSC03308.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...s/DSC03312.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...s/DSC03311.jpg
Any ideas or any picture examples?




Thanks in advance....

looks good. i cant offer any advice though haha

Nice looking cages. I don't used flex tapes on my custom cages, only on my rack system. I would have the same questions as you do. Maybe you could put plexiglass over the tape but that may eventually warp so maybe get a piece of glass cut and put that over it instead.

Ive seen people use a peice of tile, because it distributes heat better but who knows....

I saw someone that put a small slice in the back of the cage. They than used a piece of plexi sealed over the top. That if it needs changed you just slide it out the back and it can be replaced. That would work I think.

Well, I'll be building my own cage soon, and I spoke with the allmighty Rich from Reptile Basics on just that thing.

He suggested (and does in his own cages) placing the flexwatt/mat down on the inside floor, then placing a sheet of plexi or glass over the whole floor and sealing it around the edges. A 'probe channel' is then cut in the original floor under the tape to run the t-stat probe. If tape ever needs replacing, just slice the silicon seal and lift the plexi.

I've thought about doing something similar and have the same issue as to where/how to install the flexwatt in a custom cage. You can lay a piece of plexi glass down over the flexwatt, then caluk the egdes including the metal tabs to the flexwatt. As for the cord and plugging it is, you can use a Cord Grommet, I think that's how it's spelled. Cut a hole in the side of the cage set the grommet in and thread the cord thru the hole.

What I've done with much success is to seal the connections with silicone to make them water proof (be sure to seal the exposed end that isn't wired, the metal is still exposed). Then I use a ceramic tile placed over it to distribute the heat and prevent animal from getting under the heat tape. For the probe, I use a router to rout a channel under the flexwatt in the floor.

The biggest key is to make sure your connections are water proof, if water is spilled, the last thing you want to do is to electrocute yoru snake.

Oh, and the cage looks great!

Im building the exact thing as you, two 4 x 2 tanks. But mine have a 10" section on the bottom, for tubs.


I bought a 9' x 4' roll of lenolium, with out glue on it. I think it was $20 at Home Depot. I wired up my flex watt, (through the back) put a small hole, run you wire, then install to the pad. Caulk around the hole. Tape down you flex watt and wire as flat as can be with aluminum duct tape.
Then put the pre cut 4' x 2' sheet of lenolium on. Tac it on with a staple gun. That way its guarded from water on the whole bottom. Im gonna find a good back round for the back.

VOILA!

I need to finish mine. Still waiting on the Plexi to come in.