Here's this guy with yet another question...

[Flatheadhunter33]

Hello all! here I go with yet another question...if this is posted somewhere else please let me know...

For an enclosure made from wood...would you place the UTH underneath the enclosure or inside and under the substrate? Does the type of substrate used play a factor here? I only have experience with glass tanks and my next project will be to make an enclosure from wood...Also, I am planning to get the wood from a local hardware store and have them cut it to dimension (I have been told that melamine is better to use but I dont know where to get it?) Any advice in choosing a wood that will hold up?

Also I plan to install runners for a sliding glass front...how much should the glass run me? Thanks again everyone!

[Kaorte]

Depends on how thick the wood is. If it is more than 1/2" thick I would go with flexwatt or a radiant heat panel instead. Remember that both of these need to be used with a thermostat.

Melamine is pretty good for racks but not sure about custom cages. The nice thing about melamine is that it is already sealed. You can find it at home depot or lowes.

Glass isn't really all that expensive, it is just a pain to cut. If you are up for it, go with plexiglass. It is more durable, easier to cut and drill into, and it pretty cheap.

[Flatheadhunter33]

Depends on how thick the wood is. If it is more than 1/2" thick I would go with flexwatt or a radiant heat panel instead. Remember that both of these need to be used with a thermostat.

Melamine is pretty good for racks but not sure about custom cages. The nice thing about melamine is that it is already sealed. You can find it at home depot or lowes.

Glass isn't really all that expensive, it is just a pain to cut. If you are up for it, go with plexiglass. It is more durable, easier to cut and drill into, and it pretty cheap.

Thanks for your reply! So bottom line for the UTH is even if the enclosure matierial might be thick, the UTH is not to be placed inside, correct? I will look into the other heat options you mentioned.

[Argentra]

In a wooden cage, the heat source should be placed on the bottom of the inside of the cage, with a second flooring over it, such as vinyl or tile.

My cages are all handmade, and the BP cages have vinyl flooring over the UTHs on the wood with vent holes drilled under the UTHs for air circulation. The vinyl is only attached at the edges via the hot glue I use as seam sealer.

[Kaorte]

Argentra is right, as long as you have some kind of permanent barrier between the snake and the UTH, you will be fine. Just make sure the snake cannot come in direct contact with the UTH.

[chapskis1]

I built a custom wooden enclosure. I used plexiglass for the front door, and I also used plexiglass for the floor. The floor is actually raised 1" higher than the bottom of the cage. I built a small ledge along the inside bottom, placed the plexiglass on top, and then sealed the plexiglass/wood joint with silicone sealant. I slapped the flexwatt on the bottom of the plexiglass -- works great!

Good luck!

** In case I wasn't clear -- plexiglass IS the floor -- no wood on the floor... make sense?

[Flatheadhunter33]

** In case I wasn't clear -- plexiglass IS the floor -- no wood on the floor... make sense?

Yes, I think that I know what you mean. Thanks.

[Flatheadhunter33]

Since an overhead heat source is considered counter productive to the humidity requirements, does a UTH and a large water dish suffice? Does the water dish need to be placed in vicinity of the UTH? In Arizona I will be dealing a fairly dry climate. Thanks.

[Kaorte]

A UTH will not noticeably reduce the humidity. I keep my water bowls in the center of my warm hide and cool hide. Keeping the water over the UTH will just make it warm and promote the growth of bacteria (gross).

If you don't use a lamp, chances are you won't have much of a problem with keeping humidity up, even in Arizona.

[chapskis1]

A UTH will not noticeably reduce the humidity. I keep my water bowls in the center of my warm hide and cool hide. Keeping the water over the UTH will just make it warm and promote the growth of bacteria (gross).

If you don't use a lamp, chances are you won't have much of a problem with keeping humidity up, even in Arizona.

I have heard both sides of this debate. Like you, others have said puttting the water bowl over the UTH just promotes growth of bacteria.

And I've heard others say to keep the bowl over the UTH to boost humidity.

Both make sense, which is right?

I could see possibley just moving the water bowl over the UTH during shed to help with the process, but does having the water bowl on the UTH really boost humidity, or just make the water warm?