heating a melamine enclosure

i just made a melamine enclosure for my bp and i want to know how i can get some belly heat for him in there im installing 2 thermostats one for the che im installing and one for the uth that i dont know how to install soo some help would be greatly appreciated post pics of how you heat your melamine cage thanks

When i used Melamine cages i used Ultratherms. Installed the UTH inside the cage and sealed it down.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y14...nk/tankUTH.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y14...anktile003.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y14...lesdone002.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y14...k/100_1664.jpg

so you dont use a thermostat with ultraderms?? it wont burn you snake ?? i dont want to burn my ball python and how did you construct that front door thats all i have to do last(im not really what you would call a woo worker)haha but thanks for the photos im definately using your idea for the door and the heat pad thanks alot :gj:

Yes thermostat was used and MUST be used.

Picture dont show it but thermostat probe comes in the side and is hot glued to the Ultratherm so snake cant move it.
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y14.../t-stat002.jpg

The door i just figured out the size i wanted to open cut it out. They made another cut in center to remove the piece where pelxi would go. Once you get into it youll figure it out.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y14...k/100_1661.jpg

I use RHPs, but that top heat, any reason your set on using belly heat?

i heard that its better for the ball python to use belly heat, thats what i always used and it seems to work good??

Belly heat is no better or worse than using an radiant heat panel. Although, a radiant heat panel would be better if the cage is in a cool room. The advantage a radiant heat panel has over belly heat is that a radiant heat panel will not only heat the hot spot, as belly heat does, but it will also heat the ambient temp in the entire cage.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by 06gt

i heard that its better for the ball python to use belly heat, thats what i always used and it seems to work good??

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rumors with no facts/studies backing it up, its not thats there anything wrong with belly heat, just its not "better." and reasons I don't need to repeat, whoohoo already said

ohh ok ive ever really heard of or seen radient heat panels for sale are they exspensive do they work with a thermostat? how would i encorporate one into my cage ? got any pics of them installed ??

most people mount them inside the cage, on top. yes they work with a thermostat. I've always herd you can mount them on the side of a cage also, but never seen anyone do it. I can snap some pics tomorrow if you want, but nothing hard to picture, just a panel mounted on top.

reason you don't see them for sale that often is because once you get them, there nothing better to switch to and i've never herd of someone needing to replace one. all my panels are from pro-products, give em a call and they will tell you exactly what panel you need for your cage. expect around 100+ bucks shipped tho.

A heat panel over head is better because it will heat the air....WOW!!!! :rolleyes:

Science lesson, heat rises.

A heat pad placed on the floor will also heat the air EXCEPT it will heat the floor more efficiently. Air is an insulator. To heat through the air to a solid material is called convection. To heat from a solid material to another solid material is called conduction. Think about how we choose to heat most of our food. Both sources are used (convection ovens and frying pans/conduction)

Belly heat or radiant heat is better because it is more efficient. In a cold room it is better because it will heat bottom up where an animal like a snake will be most likely. Arboreal snakes tend to benefit from things like radiant heat panels.

two arguments arise.

One: reptiles tend to sense heat from their backs and not their bellies.

Two: malfunctioning belly heat and cause harm.

A well placed thermostat removes BOTH risks/arguments

Flexwatt should not be sealed AND it should not be operated above 95 degrees (PER MANUFACTURER INSTRUCTIONS)