How do i heat my Red tails melamime enclosure?

[slitheryaugust]

I'll soon be building a melamime enclosure for my Colombian red tail, and am not sure how i should be heating it. Can anyone offer me advice on what they did or what the best way to heat the enclosure would be? Thanks!

[Randall L Turner Jr]

Radiant heat panels are the way to go imo... But I must ask, is there a particular reason why you will be using melamine?

[slitheryaugust]

i was told the melamine is more resistant to warping from humidity. I was also told pvc would be good but i'm not sure where to purchase it. Should i be using something else?

[Randall L Turner Jr]

Home depot carries an inexpensive pvc sheet that works great for enclosures.

I put this enclosure together last week using it. https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4409/3...7c7f5a88_c.jpg
You can also get pvc from plastic distributors and sign shops. (a distributor is where I get my 1/4" material)

If you have a Home Depot in your area and they have the plastic in stock (it is Veranda 1/2" thick 4'x8') I would suggest using it over melamine. It will last longer and it is quite easy to work with (easier than melamine).

[redshepherd]

i was told the melamine is more resistant to warping from humidity. I was also told pvc would be good but i'm not sure where to purchase it. Should i be using something else?

Melamine is what tends to warp. It's also so heavy, I'm hoping to sell my melamine enclosure soon and switch to 5' tub instead.

You can buy pvc enclosures from animalplastics (very low prices) or from pvccages.com which are very nice and high quality.

[slitheryaugust]

Thanks so much! This is much more helpful to know