Bottom for DIY melamine enclosure

[jodiiyoung]

I am looking to upgrade my adult bp to a bigger enclosure. I was looking into buying a PVC one but I live in a pretty rural place (an island actually) so getting it shipped here is an issue. I think my best bet is to make one myself but there's no pvc sheeting available near me so once again, shipping is an issue for that too. I was thinking of making a melamine enclosure like I've seen some others do.

My main concern is the bottom. The melamine is 1/2" which presents a problem for the UTH or heat tape. To avoid this I am thinking of making the bottom out of something else. Do you think corrugated plastic sheeting would work? I would get the more "hardcore" industrial version to make it more sturdy. I would also have it reinforced with a strip of wood along two sides and middle to keep it from sagging (if that makes sense) and to keep it off the floor slightly.

Will this work? Any other suggestions for what I could use?

Thanks!

[Craiga 01453]

You could cut a rectangular section out of the melamine where the UTH will go. Then use a piece of Plexi to cover the hole. It can be sealed in place so it's water tight. Then the UTH goes there.

Another option would be to look into Radiant Heat Panels (RHP). They are secured to the inside top of the enclosure. They work great and run more efficiently, but have a higher up front cost.

[bcr229]

RHP's are ideal for melamine enclosures. If you do use one then make the enclosure at least 15" high to give yourself plenty of room to work around it for cleaning and securing the power cord. That would also give a bit more room to put a perch under it in case your ball python wants to hang out and bask.

A UTH does work under thick melamine, it just takes longer for the floor to warm up. On the flip side, once it's warm it holds its heat nicely.

[sur3fir3]

A UTH isnt a fire hazard on melamine?

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[bcr229]

A UTH isnt a fire hazard on melamine?

No more so than in a rack.