Homemade ball python enclosure questions?

[Dillymann]

Im wondering how i can provide belly heat in the homemade enclosure i made for my ball python? It is kind of a weird construction i made the walls out of "r3" insulation foam and then painted it im wondering if there is anyway i can provide belly heat if not will it be a big problem?

[Aaron_S]

You need pictures first.

[formica]

polystyrene (R3) doesnt allow much heat to go thru it, thats why its used as an insulation board, I'd also be a bit concerned about it reflecting heat back into the heat mat and causing a dangerous buildup, its used as a reflector underneath heatmats and behind radient heat panels because of this property - i'd also be concerned about the chemicals which may be released if you try to heat it, have you checked with the manufacturer or read the datasheet?

[Chris72]

Just to confirm......

You used R3 Foam insulation boards to glue a foam box together and spray painted it?

:wacky: (please say no...please, please..say no..). :wacky:


Step one - get rid of foam box.

Step two - use...almost anything else.

.

[Dillymann]

I used spruce 1x2's for the frame and glued the foam to it25809

[Dillymann]

Here is a picture

[Aaron_S]

Yeah...that's a bad idea.

I doubt that will:

1. maintain humidity
2. Stay together with the constant humidity needed.
3. I'm unsure how heat will travel through it considering insulation is to keep it in or out. Not through it.

[Mikoh4792]

what about ventilation? Will you drill holes?

[marvelfreak]

I seen someone do this before and in under two week they had problem with the heat pad melting the foam insulation board.

[formica]

Here is a picture


it could be rescued, if you treat the R3 as an inner-wall insulation, cover the inside with wood, plywood or something, seal it up with varnish, then the edges with silicone, and use a radient heat panel to heat it inside

just dont go attaching heat sources directly to the R3, and dont use the R3 as the actual internal wall, cover it with wood


also highly recomend you read the datasheet and check its tempreture stablity, then make sure any heating you put inside it, doesnt go anywhere near that tempreture, give yourself at least 30-40% headroom (so if it says 65C, dont go above 40C) - this means using an IR gun to measure the tempreture of the heat panels/lighting fixtures etc at the point they contact any part of the enclosure

if the datasheet gives any indication that toxic chemicals may be released or melting may occur at the temps you need, you'll need to start again (so if it says 50C, then a 30C basking spot could be problematic)

[ErikBush97]

it could be rescued, if you treat the R3 as an inner-wall insulation, cover the inside with wood, plywood or something, seal it up with varnish, then the edges with silicone, and use a radient heat panel to heat it inside

just dont go attaching heat sources directly to the R3, and dont use the R3 as the actual internal wall, cover it with wood


also highly recomend you read the datasheet and check its tempreture stablity, then make sure any heating you put inside it, doesnt go anywhere near that tempreture, give yourself at least 30-40% headroom (so if it says 65C, dont go above 40C) - this means using an IR gun to measure the tempreture of the heat panels/lighting fixtures etc at the point they contact any part of the enclosure

if the datasheet gives any indication that toxic c
hemicals may be released or melting may occur at the temps you need, you'll need to start again (so if it says 50C, then a 30C basking spot could be problematic)
Good info here. To the OP: you should just cut your losses and buy a professional display enclosure. Even if this project works, it'll probably have heat/humidity issues :/ Just my opinion

[Dillymann]

The foam is rated for 74 celcius so i think im fine im not going to use a heat pad instead i will use heat lamps

[formica]

The foam is rated for 74 celcius so i think im fine im not going to use a heat pad instead i will use heat lamps


heat lamps are even worse, they reach closer to 300C/600F, the ceramic holder will reach above 100C/215F

[Dillymann]

You are obligated to your opinions but your wrong

[Lankyrob]

Just out of curiosity i just temp gunned one of my corn setups che and holder. The holder is at 45c and the bulb is at 65c with the thermostat/basking area being 28c.

Not joining either side of the discussion just providing some facts.

[formica]

Just out of curiosity i just temp gunned one of my corn setups che and holder. The holder is at 45c and the bulb is at 65c with the thermostat/basking area being 28c.

Not joining either side of the discussion just providing some facts.

what kind of bulb is it?

this is a reading from a small 35W bulb:

Ceramic Holder:

http://i39.tinypic.com/1zoyf5x.jpg


Bulb itself:

http://i42.tinypic.com/1z2znrp.jpg

[Lankyrob]

It is an 100w ceramic heat emitter in a ceramic holder. My house temps are really stable so the bulb isnt working too hard admittedly. I have temp gunned the bulb before in other vivs at 400f

[Chris72]

The foam is rated for 74 celcius so i think im fine im not going to use a heat pad instead i will use heat lamps

Do you know at what temps that stuff will out gas?

What is your investment in the foam box?

Please toss it.

It's potentially dangerous for the animal / potential fire hazard in your home.

[Dillymann]

Just an update for those of you who doubted my bp enclosure.... Just wanted to let you all know that it works PERFECT and maintains constant heat and humidity needed for my ball python as well as not diteriorating like some said it would. Does not put out any gasses either.

[Aaron_S]

Just an update for those of you who doubted my bp enclosure.... Just wanted to let you all know that it works PERFECT and maintains constant heat and humidity needed for my ball python as well as not diteriorating like some said it would. Does not put out any gasses either.

Do you want a cookie?

It's worked for less than a month. Come back and talk to me in a year or so.

[formica]

Just an update for those of you who doubted my bp enclosure.... Just wanted to let you all know that it works PERFECT and maintains constant heat and humidity needed for my ball python as well as not diteriorating like some said it would. Does not put out any gasses either.

really hope you haven't put heat lamps or a high powered radiant panel inside the enclosure - and if you are using a heat mat, I hope that you have the probe on the outside directly in contact with the heat mat to prevent the inevitable dangerous build up of heat in the polystyrene.

I also suggest that you take IR temperature readings at very regular intervals all around your heat sources, both inside and out the enclosure - and make sure all your fire alarms work in your home.

how do you know it isnt putting out gasses? have you got a mass spectrometer to test the air?


you know we dont point these things out just for the sake of it or to try and make you feel bad - its from experience and knowledge of the materials and tools, and a desire to share, if you want to take that as a personal insult, well then whats the point of joining a forum? i've seen polystyrene go up in flames, vast quantities in literally seconds, pumping out huge amounts of highly toxic gases, that is something neither you or your snake would ever want to encounter in your home.

[DeesBalls]

seems like he doesnt want to listen or learn... you guys tried...

to the OP: these guys know what they are talking about, yes, it may of worked so far... but in 2 - 4 months, it couldnt...

just be ready for whatever may happen, and make sure you have some sort of back up tank/cage around for when/if it does.