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Quote Originally Posted by bkcouturier View Post
Those T8 enclosures look great! I have a few more questions about them.

1. Will they require any CHE? If not that would be solid.

PVC enclosures don't require a CHE. If you have to heat the ambient air around the enclosure to raise the cage ambient, there are a couple of better ways to do it.

2. I read there are two methods of heating. If I do the flex watt, will it only be positioned in the middle of the enclosure? I was under the impression that BPs needed a gradient temperature range (one side warm, the other end gradually getting cooler). Or will the temps be where they should in the middle as well as the two ends? I want to make sure there are the proper differences.

A UTH or Flexwatt will go under one end of the enclosure to provided belly heat on the warm end. This can also be provided using back heat, but, In my experience, belly heat is easier to deal with and more consistant. Keep in mind that UTH or Flexwatt heat does not really affect the ambient temp in a large enclosure. To raise the ambient, you'll need to keep the cage in a warmer room, use a oil filled heater, or use a radient heat panel. (This is true of any enclosure, not just the type we're talking about here.

3. If I get the flex watt, am I not able to use aspen bedding? Or will the temperatures just need raised via thermostat in order to penetrate the extra thickness of aspen bedding vs paper towels/newspaper? Or do I need to go with the radiant heat panels?

You can use aspen with a UTH or Flexwatt.

If I do go with heat panels, are they hard to install? Are they safe for the BP? Will I need to mount them in the middle like the UTH or put one at each end?

They're not that hard to install and they are safe. Unlike the UTH that is used on one end to create a warm side, the UTH is usually mounted in the middle to provide overall ambient heat.

4. Are the lights a good thing to get? If so do I need two or one? I plan on not having the divider in.

When I used PVC cages, I had a light installed, but really didn't use it that much. Your mileage may vary.

5. I like the idea of taller enclosures, would the T12 be a better choice? If so, do the same things still apply to it as the T8?

Even though you may like the look of a taller enclosure, keep in mind that your BP is a ground dweller, and all that extra space is just more area you'll need to heat and maintain humidity for.


Thanks guys! Anytime!