My new custom setup! (Progress pics)

Pic 1: This is the old dresser that was in my guest room. Also shown is my new UTH that I made. The 3 strips of 11" flexwatt on the left are wired together to create my cool zone and the 1 on the right is wired on its own to be my hot spot.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.n...29652589_o.jpg

Pic 2: In this pic you can see I have replaced the smaller dresser with a new one - a larger one. I've also added the plexi glass above the heat tape to start testing my temps. I like the plexi glass because it helps to prevent spikes in temperatures since it will heat up and cool down creating a buffer between the enclosure and the heat tape. I also have a lot of it, so its free for me.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.n...75921451_n.jpg

Pic 3: My new enclosure! 24" x 48" x 12" PVC enclosure. This was made by Jason at Herphouses.com.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.n...39390235_n.jpg

Pic 4: In this pic you can see I've added the coconut husk substrate, a water bowl and a couple hides. the heat test continues, and so far it's going well. Temps are fluctuating less than 1 degree.

http://i750.photobucket.com/albums/x...ps3659992e.jpg

Pic 5: In this pic I've added 2" rigid foam insulation around the enclosure (sides, top and back). The enclosure is in a fairly cool room so since I'm building the enclosure setup myself I figured a bit of insulation couldn't hurt.

http://i750.photobucket.com/albums/x...ps493b39b3.jpg

Pic 6: Finally, 99% done! In this last photo you can see the custom melamine surround I had made. It really finishes off the unit well.

http://i750.photobucket.com/albums/x...psd937c01c.jpg

Now all I need is my snake!!! I'll be bringing him home in only 3 days! :banana::banana:

Very nice! Love the clean finish on it.http://ball-pythons.net/forums/image.../th_fing02.gif

Looks terrific!

Only thing I'm not clear on - you have flexwatt under the whole thing. How are you maintaining a temperature gradient?? Do you have a dual zone t-stat?

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Originally Posted by Evenstar

Looks terrific!

Only thing I'm not clear on - you have flexwatt under the whole thing. How are you maintaining a temperature gradient?? Do you have a dual zone t-stat?

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I was wondering this as well.

On a side note that enclosure looks awesome.

Looks really nice, very good job. I am also interested about the flex watt, also what about air flow? Probably just missing things from the pictures, just curious.

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Originally Posted by Borgy76

Looks really nice, very good job. I am also interested about the flex watt, also what about air flow? Probably just missing things from the pictures, just curious.

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I could be wrong but I think I see air holes in the front on the sides?

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Originally Posted by Neal

I could be wrong but I think I see air holes in the front on the sides?

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I see now, plus i see vents in the back. Guess i just didn't look hard enough.

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Originally Posted by Evenstar

Looks terrific!

Only thing I'm not clear on - you have flexwatt under the whole thing. How are you maintaining a temperature gradient?? Do you have a dual zone t-stat?

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I'm ASSuming he does, as he says the heat tape is wired separately to maintain hot and cool spots.

I am using a Herpstat 2, so it's a multi-zone thermostat.

As far as air flow, there are vents in the back, and just to increase the air flow a bit I've also drilled 1/2" holes vertically by the doors. If you look closely you can see them.

That setup looks awesome! I love how it looks like the enclosure was built into the dresser.

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Originally Posted by jclaiborne

That setup looks awesome! I love how it looks like the enclosure was built into the dresser.

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Thanks :) That was the plan. The front frame is held on with velcro. So when it comes time to clean the enclosure I just pull off the frame, remove the enclosure..clean.. and put everything back :)

Hey Rick nice build, I like how you turned the whole tank and stand into furniture/art piece. What are you putting in there? Are you getting the boa you have been talking about?

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Originally Posted by Diamond Serpents

Hey Rick nice build, I like how you turned the whole tank and stand into furniture/art piece. What are you putting in there? Are you getting the boa you have been talking about?

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YUP! This Saturday I'm picking up a Sunglow RTB. :carrot: :banana:

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Originally Posted by Rickys_Reptiles

YUP! This Saturday I'm picking up a Sunglow RTB. :carrot: :banana:

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Nice, hope to see some pics of it when it arrives.

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Originally Posted by Rickys_Reptiles

YUP! This Saturday I'm picking up a Sunglow RTB. :carrot: :banana:

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Awesome! Can't wait for the pics. Nice grab! :)

Outstanding work there! Way to go.

Incase you aren't a member on my Facebook page yet (If you're not - you really should check it out) I'd like to offically welcome CHESTER!!

http://i750.photobucket.com/albums/x...ps492e68e2.jpg

This morning I went to go say hello. I lift his warm side hide - not there. I lift his cool side hide.. NOT THERE! So after 5 seconds of panic I realized he had to be hiding somewhere. So I start moving around the coconut husk and eventually I find him. He pops his little head up and looks right at me. It was as if he was saying "ok ok... you found me" lol GOTCHA! I have since taken out some of the husk so that when he decides to hide again I'll probably find him much quicker.

He's cute! Nice picture too! :gj:

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Originally Posted by Rickys_Reptiles

Incase you aren't a member on my Facebook page yet (If you're not - you really should check it out) I'd like to offically welcome CHESTER!!

http://i750.photobucket.com/albums/x...ps492e68e2.jpg

This morning I went to go say hello. I lift his warm side hide - not there. I lift his cool side hide.. NOT THERE! So after 5 seconds of panic I realized he had to be hiding somewhere. So I start moving around the coconut husk and eventually I find him. He pops his little head up and looks right at me. It was as if he was saying "ok ok... you found me" lol GOTCHA! I have since taken out some of the husk so that when he decides to hide again I'll probably find him much quicker.

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hahaha and sorry I missed you post earlier Ricky he is amazing looking and I'm glad you finally got him. He looks great in thew new custom set up to.

Thanks Brian and Kali. It's true what they say about Boas. Such amazing snakes, and so inquisitive!

Very nice addition Ricky.

Very nice boa Ricky. I hope he's happy in his new home. :)

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Originally Posted by jason_ladouceur

Very nice boa Ricky. I hope he's happy in his new home. :)

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Chester has commented on the good workmanship of his new home a couple times. First when he did his PDI and then again last night when I put him back to sleep after we watched Ray Donovan (Which is his current favorite TV show). :gj:

I was just thinking about adding foam insulation to my Boaphile. Would you say it improved the ambient temperature in your cage? What kind of ambient temperature are you getting (also, how's the room temperature, for comparison)? I'm curious to know how well it works before buying a ton of insulation. I have a radiant heat panel but I still struggle to get ambient temperature above 75ºF when my room temperature gets below 70ºF.

Instead of changing the topic, I have started a new thread regarding your questions about insulating the enclosure. You can find it here: http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...33#post2148233