Double 55 stand

[Elusive Dream]

I am building a double 55 stand and was thinking of using the 11" flexwatt on a dimmer under the ball python tank on the bottom of the stand. I was wondering if this should be taped to the bottom of the glass with foil tape (It will be on a dimmer of course)? If so what would be the optimum bottom glass temp to prevent any injury to the snake? Aspen bedding but not sure if that would matter.

I had a Burmese that was burned by the zoo med uth back in the late 90's and went through the iodine baths and crap and it was not fun (young and new to snakes, never had it on a plug in dimmer).

Thanks in advance
Willis

[TheSnakeGuy]

If you've been 'burned' before by an unregulated heat source then you should be purchasing a THERMOSTAT instead of a dimmer. You'll have to check your temps several times a day even with a dimmer. A thermostat is a lot safer for your animal.

[Foschi Exotic Serpents]

I just don't trust dimmers. I'd never use an under tank heater without a thermostat. A digital one. I use herpstat, ranco, and helix therms. I also use the digital, probed, thermometers from Walmart to measure and keep track of hot/cold spots. The accurite weather station.

[Elusive Dream]

The only "pet store" we have with in 90 miles of me is petsmart and the staff is to say the least less then knowledgeable. They tried selling me a typical uth and with previous experience I knew better.

While on the topic of thermostats, can you set them up to control a heat lamp and the flex watt both or do you need 2 separate ones?

For the probe on the thermostat do you set it on the glass then since the glass at the bottom will be much hotter then the air as it has to radiate the heat upwards to warm the tank?

Thanks
Willis

[Foschi Exotic Serpents]

You'd need two separate thermostats to control two heat sources like that. It's not like having two UTH's that are identical. Lights and UTH have different wattages and sources of heat.

The probe for the thermostat goes under the tank. Directly on the UTH in the center. The probe for the thermometer is the one that goes inside the tank, on the glass, directly on the heat source. Its best to use a glue gun with craft glue to affix it because tape is dangerous. It can come up and the snake can get stuck to it.

I always tell people who are using glass tanks to get a UTH that is large enough to take up 1/3 to 1/2 the bottom of the tank. Most people get a very small one and then can't figure out why its so difficult to keep it warm enough in there without burning the snake.

Check this out.. You can make your own enclosed cage out of a tank and do away with needing a lamp for heat.



You can then cover the sides and back with thin sheet insulation. Paint it to look however you want. Cheap and very effective. I don't recommend tanks unless they're done like this. Otherwise its so hard to maintain temps and humidity.

[Elusive Dream]

I like the idea and it looks like a pretty simple way to fix things. Plexi glass I take it? Then all you have is the flex watt as a heat source?

Thanks
Willis

[Foschi Exotic Serpents]

I like the idea and it looks like a pretty simple way to fix things. Plexi glass I take it? Then all you have is the flex watt as a heat source?

Thanks
Willis

It's plexi and rivets to attach it to the frame of the tank. Vent holes drilled. Then either flexwatt, or a good UTH. You can also seal the plexi with some silicone or craft glue. Make sure this dries completely and is odor and vapor free before using the tank though.

By doing this and turning it on its side, you also increase the floor space.

The pic and technique is by Tim Slotke's Select Serpents. He's a friend and said I could post it.

[Elusive Dream]

I guess I never thought or planned to put it on its side. The stand has a base of 27" so it is feasible without changing the design plan (half way done already).

The shelves are plywood, covered in vinyl. How much space will I need between the tank and the shelf if I were to run flexwatt for ventilation etc?

[Elusive Dream]

Base frame work


Top frame work


Complete frame work


Finished top


Will get the sides done tomorrow and hopefully get the back and bottom put on.

Thanks
Willis

[Elusive Dream]

Here is a picture with the rest of the vinyl on. Going to move the 55 gallon fish tank on top tonight. Have a 40g in to show sizing reference.

Going to finish the Viv part after I get some landscaping projects done (The wife has put her foot down).