New Build (Could use some help) - Adult Olive Cage

[ttreptile1]

So my Olive Python pair has finally come of age where they need to move into more permanent quarters. So off I went to Lowes (with the wife's approval) to build them their forever homes.

Its 8'x3'x3' 3/4" premium pine plywood. Sealed with exterior no voc semigloss on the outside and sealed with acrylic no voc varnish and silicone. The front is 1/4" polished edge glass on sliding tracks. There is a dual purpose hide/water bowl holder as well as a back shelf. Driftwood will be added shortly.

Anyway to my conundrum. Even after keeping and breeding snakes for over 30 years, I underestimated the heating on these beasts. As seen in the picture I tried a 150w cermaic bulb and that didn't cut it. I've been told by both pro products and Reptile Basics their radiant heat panels would not heat the cage appropriately. Meaning it may heat the spot but it will not raise the ambient cage temp. The room is 70 degrees almost year round.

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to heat these cages both safely and relatively inexpensively? Both my Olive Pythons and I would appreciate the help on this.:)


http://gallery.kingsnake.com/data/3216120170805_173212.jpg

http://gallery.kingsnake.com/data/3216120170808_132725-med.jpg

http://gallery.kingsnake.com/data/3216120170828_191206-med.jpg

http://gallery.kingsnake.com/data/3216120170820_201058-med.jpg

[dannybgoode]

Multiple heat bulbs in a cluster could work.

We need to to date pictures of them too :)

[EL Ziggy]

(2) RHPs or multiple heat lamps should do the trick. I was hoping to keep my Olive in a 6x2x2 but I guess a larger cage might be necessary. I'm with Danny, can we see some current pics of your Olives? Both of ours are just yearlings and we'd like see what we can look forward to. :)

[trailblazer295]

You'd either need multiple RHPs so $$$ lol or like danny said multiple CHE regulated on the same stat.

[ttreptile1]

I am worried about using CHEs. I have had a few folks recommend not using them in light fixtures that are directly attached to the cage (even if they are ceramic fixtures). Big Apple Herp recommended a minimum of two 250w CHEs. That scares me a bit.

I was told RHPs would not work. They would heat the snake but not the air which I need with an low ambient room temp of 70 degrees.

I will get some new pics in the coming days. Feeding night tonight.

[ttreptile1]

I decided to go with a pair of 250w CHEs but instead of hard mounting them, I will put them in ceramic socket domes and suspend them inside the cage. Covering the dome front with steel mesh for protection and have them on a thermostat.

On a side note, why can't we get heater tubes in the US? Seems like a UK thing only?

[jay's reptiles]

On a side note, why can't we get heater tubes in the US? Seems like a UK thing only?

i have noticed this as well!

[dannybgoode]

I decided to go with a pair of 250w CHEs but instead of hard mounting them, I will put them in ceramic socket domes and suspend them inside the cage. Covering the dome front with steel mesh for protection and have them on a thermostat.

On a side note, why can't we get heater tubes in the US? Seems like a UK thing only?

We have all the best stuff over here ;)

[Scubadiver59]

Ale...ale...ale...and, ale.

That about sums it up! :rolleyes:

We have all the best stuff over here ;)

[dave himself]

I've my retic in a 8x3x2 I heat it with two 250w CHEs on a 600w pulse stat. The CHEs are screwed directly to the top of the viv with ceramics and I've never had a problem keeping the temps correct, oh and both heaters have the heavy duty guards on them :)

[ttreptile1]

Awesome info Dave. Thanks!

I guess I was over thinking it a bit. I like to error on the side of safety. I was worried the heat generated down the base and into the ceramic outlet would heat into the wood and throw off the cage stacked directly above it. I may still put down a piece of steel plate and then attach the outlet to that.

[dannybgoode]

Awesome info Dave. Thanks!

I guess I was over thinking it a bit. I like to error on the side of safety. I was worried the heat generated down the base and into the ceramic outlet would heat into the wood and throw off the cage stacked directly above it. I may still put down a piece of steel plate and then attach the outlet to that.

Steel is not the best choice because if you get a loose wire there is a chance of turning it live - not good.

An extra wood plinth would work better or if you prefer a piece of week but then insulated with some wood.

[ttreptile1]

I saw this online. Looked like a good idea. I can't read what the site says though. I think it's German.

http://www.boa-constrictors.com/sites/default/files/HaltungSchutzgJoachim.jpg

This was also interesting.

http://www.888reptiles.co.uk/user/products/large/82303E%20ceramic%20fixture%20and%20bracket.jpg

[dave himself]

A sheet of polystyrene between the vivs may help with with heat transfer and that guard looks a bit on the flimsy side to me, here's the ones I use if it's any help

I have just uploaded these images:
http://fs5.directupload.net/images/170901/wnnuxc8b.jpg (http://www.directupload.net)

[jjhill001]

Little late to the party but heating the room to around 80 degrees will mean the heating element in the cage doesn't have to work as hard.

[ttreptile1]

It's in my son's room. Might be a little hot to sleep in. 😉

[jjhill001]

It's in my son's room. Might be a little hot to sleep in. 😉

I have snake solutions not human solutions! ;)

[scales.jp]

On a side note, why can't we get heater tubes in the US? Seems like a UK thing only?

Can't get them here in Japan either. I used to use them before I left the UK, so simple!

[dave himself]

You can get them on eBay but the shipping costs are high because of the weight :(

[scales.jp]

You can get them on eBay but the shipping costs are high because of the weight :(

I don't know if you can get them in 100V, but I'll have a look.

[ttreptile1]

Heat tested over the past few days. Looking real solid. Decided to move them in tonight. I will get better outside pictures of them soon. Maybe this weekend.

http://gallery.kingsnake.com/data/3216120170905_202435.jpg

That is an LED bulb that's unguarded. Zero heat output. The other two are 250 watt Ceramic Heat Emitters in porcelain sockets mounted on a steel wiring box to help dissipate some of the heat. I also separated the cages by an inch so there is no longer heat transfer.

http://gallery.kingsnake.com/data/3216120170905_202549.jpg

Male went right up on the shelf.

http://gallery.kingsnake.com/data/3216120170905_202455-med.jpg

Female exploring

http://gallery.kingsnake.com/data/3216120170905_202603.jpg

http://gallery.kingsnake.com/data/3216120170905_202715-med.jpg

[EL Ziggy]

Your Olives look AMAZING ttr! The new enclosures look great too. Don't you love it when your husbandry is dialed in beautifully? They'll be very comfy in those. :)

[ttreptile1]

They look so tiny in those cages. One thing I did notice so far is the male who is super twitchy when in his cage or god forbid being fed, he was very calm almost at ease with that much space to stretch out. He loves the shelf too. I have to make a trip this weekend to get some large driftwood branches. Both of them used their branches in the old cage regularly.

[dannybgoode]

I was going to mention branches. Olivaceous are surprisingly arboreal for such a large snake.

My male (albeit still much smaller) in particular is always on his branches. The girl prefers to perch on the wire to her UV light but again it's rarely on the ground.

[Scubadiver59]

4x250w CHEs...that's 8A just for those two cages. How many circuit breakers do you have controlling the outlets in your room?

I have eight outlets in my master bedroom on a single 15A breaker, so I'm going to either have to home some other snakes in another room or bring in some extension cords, like I already am, into the master bedroom so I can bring in some more power to get most of my snakes in the one room. A pain, but better than blowing circuit breakers or starting a fire we'd all regret.

BTW...what was the approximate cost per 8x3x3 enclosure?

[dannybgoode]

4x250w CHEs...that's 8A just for those two cages. How many circuit breakers do you have controlling the outlets in your room?

I have eight outlets in my master bedroom on a single 15A breaker, so I'm going to either have to home some other snakes in another room or bring in some extension cords, like I already am, into the master bedroom so I can bring in some more power to get most of my snakes in the one room. A pain, but better than blowing circuit breakers or starting a fire we'd all regret.

BTW...what was the approximate cost per 8x3x3 enclosure?

Ah the advantage of running 240V and predominantly 13A sockets. So much more wattage to play with :)

I'm having a custom 10kW ring installed for the reptile room in due course also just so it's never close to overloading the whole circuit.

[ttreptile1]

I have a heavy duty cord run to a circuit that is used only by these cages and nothing else. I originally had them on a 15a that also had a portable AC unit and it blew over and over again. Now they are on their own 20a circuit.

Cost wise, I'd say 600-700 ea maybe less. I really wasn't paying too much attention when i was building and buying.