Help, heating wooden enclosure.

I'm planning on building a cage/rack system modeled after a barrister book case. It's going to be built from 3/4 inch plywood so heating through it is not an option. I was trying to find a way to use flex watt but I'm getting mixed answers on whether I can use it INSIDE an enclosure. Basically I need an idea on how to heat the enclosures. Preferably without drilling hundreds of holes in my piece.

You could use a heat panel...
http://www.reptilebasics.com/rbi-radiant-heat_panels/

I built a wooden cage (you can see it in the DIY section) and I'm heating it using a sheet of flexwatt inside the cage.
The wires run outside the cage and there is a ceramic tile on top of the flexwatt. On the tile is about 2-3" of substrate. The max temp I'm gettin on top of the substrate is like 94-95 degrees now depending if the door to my room is open or not.

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Originally Posted by WakoNako

I built a wooden cage (you can see it in the DIY section) and I'm heating it using a sheet of flexwatt inside the cage.
The wires run outside the cage and there is a ceramic tile on top of the flexwatt. On the tile is about 2-3" of substrate. The max temp I'm gettin on top of the substrate is like 94-95 degrees now depending if the door to my room is open or not.

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What if they burrow down underneath the substrate to the ceramic tile? What temperature will they get there?

I'm sorry. It just sounds too hot from what I've learned here.

I agree with the previous poster, Radiant Heat Panels are a good option.

Is this only for ball pythons? Why don't you just make a rack with tubs?

I've built a cage just like you are describing. I cut holes out of the floor and routed ledges so I could sit 8x10 pieces of glass in flush with the wood. I then tiled and caulked the whole thing (so it is waterproof) and it has worked out great. Radiant heat panels will also work.
http://i397.photobucket.com/albums/p...thia27/945.jpg
http://i397.photobucket.com/albums/p...lthia27/17.jpg

Only thing about using flex watt inside is that you could have a problem if a water bowl gets tipped over. I think a heat panel or a CHE is your best bet.

This is only for ball pythons. I have a rack system already, it's just so gaudy looking. If I was a big time breeder or going for straight efficiency then a rack system alone with the tubs would be fine. However, I want to be able to display my snakes proudly and have a nice piece of furniture at the same time. Also, this setup would be better for them because it would give them more privacy.

I have seen it tiled previously and liked the idea.....put the probe on the tile itself. You could use papertowels or newspapers as a substrate...that way the temp on the tile is the temp the snake is receiving. Plus easy clean.

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Originally Posted by rab21w

This is only for ball pythons. I have a rack system already, it's just so gaudy looking. If I was a big time breeder or going for straight efficiency then a rack system alone with the tubs would be fine. However, I want to be able to display my snakes proudly and have a nice piece of furniture at the same time. Also, this setup would be better for them because it would give them more privacy.

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Give them more privacy?

How do you figure this? Your gonna have a big open window where as they would be in a tub where they cant see anything :rolleyes:

Not to mention you want it to be display? Bp's are not good display animals lol

look at the kitty having a peek, lol.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by f4n70m

Give them more privacy?

How do you figure this? Your gonna have a big open window where as they would be in a tub where they cant see anything :rolleyes:

Not to mention you want it to be display? Bp's are not good display animals lol

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Yes, my rack system is open on all sides, so being closed in on all but one side would be more privacy.

I don't understand fully how the cage you are planning on building is gonna look, so I'm not sure if this would work or not. But, I have a custom wood enclosure, and I used plexiglass for the floor so I could use flexwatt (not to put on top of the wood, but actually used plexiglass AS the floor.)

I would love to see pics when you are done....the person that posted the pics on here....that was beautiful!!

By the way...there are plenty of ppl that have balls in display cases and do just fine!! During the day they probably won't come out...but at night I have a few that use to wander and hang on the limb as if they were GTP. lol :rolleyes: This was all prior to my tubs...;)