Stacking T8 Enclosures

[BPGator]

I have two T8 cages for my BPs. One is stacked on the other. I use 88W Proheat RHP panels in each. I recently noticed that the floor temperature on the upper enclosure is consistently high and have attributed it to the heat from the lower RHP conducting through. The floor temp on the upper tank seems to be consistently around 95°F, which is a little higher than I would like. Has anyone else experienced this issue? I'm looking to put a piece of insulation between the two enclosures - any suggestions of what's best to use? I'd like something thin with low conduction properties.


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[Eric Alan]

What about just a sheet of plywood?

[Prognathodon]

We put industrial/commercial floor tiles between layers in our stack, with gaps for cords. They're about 1/8" thick. I think there's some heat transfer, but not significant. We also "cheat" and use possible heat transfer to advantage with species with different requirements.


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[erebus45]

sorry to ask a question on your thread..but i am actually waiting on my second t8 and i am also going to stack it on top of my other one and i also have a 80watt rhp that will be in both cages.... (bottom is housing a bp and top cage will hold a columbian bi) both rhp's are going to be controlled by ve-200's.. instead of putting something in between could i just turn the top therm down until the temps get right or would it make the cool side to cool? thank you

[BPGator]

Not sure exactly what you're asking, but I've found it takes a couple days to dial in the temps. I'd just wait until the temps are right before putting the snake in. The coldest the cool side can be is whatever your room temperature is.


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[bcr229]

We also "cheat" and use possible heat transfer to advantage with species with different requirements.

Ditto. I have one whose RHP I unplugged because the RHP from the T8 below it creates a hot spot of 85-86F in the upper enclosure. I have a BRB in there and he's fine.

The tops of RHP's get quite hot and that heat does transfer to the enclosure above it, unless you put an insulator or spacers to allow air exchange, between the enclosures.

[erebus45]

The tops of RHP's get quite hot and that heat does transfer to the enclosure above it, unless you put an insulator or spacers to allow air exchange, between the enclosures.

what sort of spacers would you recommend?

[Sauzo]

what sort of spacers would you recommend?

Ali at Animal Plastics told me to use furniture pucks you can get at like Ikea and stuff. Says they give enough space while still allowing the alignment pins to still work. I personally just use flexwatt on my Ap cages and stack them with no gap and it's worked fine.

[BPGator]

Ali at Animal Plastics told me to use furniture pucks you can get at like Ikea and stuff. Says they give enough space while still allowing the alignment pins to still work. I personally just use flexwatt on my Ap cages and stack them with no gap and it's worked fine.

I'm sure flexwatt works great if room temps are high enough. Stacking shouldn't cause any problems with it either. In my case the room temps are in the high 60's and I find the RHP does a much better job of maintaining heat.


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[Sauzo]

Yeah for sure. I use a RHP in my Pro Line cage. Then after more research, I came to the conclusion Flexwatt would be better for me as I keep my house set to 75F and the snakes are downstairs where it stays warmer than the rest of the house so the room is around 78-80F. Its easier for me to keep the 90F hot spot while still keeping a nice cool side of 79-80F.

I would definitely check out furniture pucks. They should give you the gap you want. You can also probably check out hardware or lumber stores for something like 1x2x1 poplar wood studs. Then just cut them and either liquid nail, wood glue or nail them together to make like a frame to sit the other cage on top of. That would give plenty of gap and also provide a warm air pocket between the 2 cages to help in the winter.