Critter Cage

[j3phr3y]

Unfortunatlly when I got my BP I purchased a Critter Cage. It has been a full time job keeping the temps / humidity up. I also noticed that PI started to use only one hide. So my latest project was to switch to thick Repti-bark substrate where I could bury some hides, replace his branch that he never used with more hides, and add a plexiglass top to the cage. He now has four hides (two pot bases buried), and actually uses them all. Any sugestions for improvements are welcome.

Ignore the Accu Rite, wire, and wood on top, I took these while I was still finishing up








I think when he out grows this one I am going to get one from showcasecages.com. If anyone else is crazy enough to spend that much for a cage; let me know how you like it.

[tigerlily]

Looks like a pretty nice setup! Must be fun to clean though

[justcage]

Very good looking indeed.. How is it heated and controlled?

[j3phr3y]

Heating it is an unbelievable pain. I keep my house very cold and the Critter Cage is all glass with a screen top so the fluctuating temps of the house is a big factor on the temp inside the Critter Cage. To heat the tank I am using an UTH and an ESU Reptile Bi-Light (20 inch) that holds two lamps (product description here) that I can use to adjust the temps. The most I’ve had to use was two 75w bulbs (humidity killer), the least was one 50w. My limited knowledge of thermodynamics gave me the idea of extra thick substrate, a background on three sides, and as much “stuff” in the tank as possible, which as helped to stabilize the temps a lot. I have also used different things to cover the screen top with varying degrees of success. I think one I get the Plexiglas in (ruined the first one) that it will be stable enough to trust a thermostat with.

[justcage]

Anything you put in the cage will create a source of thermal mass. I use glass aquariums for all of my arb. snakes and use lexan on the screen lids, humidity and heat stay right were I want them. You need a good thermostat to control the undertank heater as this is where your snake is all the time, the floor. Also the lighting can be controlled with a simple dimmer(rheostat).. They can be a pain to control but once yo have it, your have it so to speak..lol..

[j3phr3y]

Thanks for the feedback, do you have any recommendations for a thermostat? Also, I plan on continuing to use the Bi-Light as a convenient way to switch from day to night bulbs but I am worried about the high temps of the edges of the Bi-Light warping or melting the plexiglas (using as generic term not brand name). I noticed how easy it is to melt when I was attempting to cut it the first time. Any suggestions?