Idea for BP enclosure

[rtman26]

So I'm thinking of building a much larger enclosure for my BP. Yes I know tubs are easier but I want something that he can explore in a bit more. This is what I drew up quickly:

[img=http://s24.postimg.org/ihr9kirhd/2013_10_14_20_43_43_642.jpg]

I'm thinking 1/2" sealed mdf.

The area under the "ramp" will be a warm hide, and the actual ramp will lift off so I can get him out of there if I have to. He has a tower (on the left) and a piece of wood (not "pictured") that he spends a lot of time climbing on so I wanted to give enough vertical space to look around. The area to the right under the elevated floor will be left as a space to hide the timers and thermostats and whatnot. I'm thinking of using the elevated area as the warm side so the water bowl will probably end up on the left side. There will be doors on both ends with holes in them for ventilation and someone is giving me a large piece of glass for the front.

I haven't figured out lighting yet, or the best way to heat it and I'll probably mod my Accurite so I can keep it outside of the enclosure.

What does everyone think? Anything you notice that I haven't thought of yet?

Thanks in advance.

[dr del]

Hi,

I usually start with the heat and humidity in mind then sort of build everything around that.

Once you have decided how to heat it that will help work out how to build things so the snake gets a nice temp range.

[Rickys_Reptiles]

Looks like a lot of unnecessary work. Just buy a tank, and build a lid.

[rtman26]

It's actually rather simple to build and I enjoy projects. I currently have a tank that I've built a lid for and my bp has just out grown it. Rather than spending $200 on a new enclosure that everyone else has, I'd like to build something for <$100 that's a little more ideal and at least a little different.

If any of you were going to heat a larger enclosure would you go with tape or a radiant heat panel? I'm thinking tape because I can use different sizes to give me different temps....at least that's how it works in my brain. Whats the best way to regulate the temp with tape? Rheostat?

Thanks for any input.

[dr del]

Thermostat all the way - rheostats need constant monitoring and adjusting unless your room temps are incredibly stable. It quickly becomes a pain in the onions.

[rtman26]

I figured as much, already have one of those hydrofarm ones for the uth, but I'll prob grab something to monitor the overall tank temp as well.

Thanks!