IJ custom enclosure ?'s(Long, Sry)

[ThEmAdHaTtEr]

Im not sure if this is the right forum to be posting cage things in but here goes: I will be getting an IJ Carpet Python on my B-day (July 18). A friend of mine and I are going to be builidng its enclosure tomorrow after school. The dimensions are 4 foot long 2-3 foot wide, and 3-3 1/2 feet tall. The entire enclosure will be wood other than a sliding plexiglass door in front. As for vents, I will have two 5x5 inch vents on the top corners. Is this enough? I dont want too much ventilation. The inside of the cage will have bars of wood nailed across and diagnol with plents of greenery. I plan on having hide boxes that are sort of "shelf like" nailed into the side of the cage. 2 on each side about 2 feet up, and 2 on the ground where I will have coconut or aspen substrate with a rubbermaid full of water. I think that just about covers it. I just wanna make sure I'm buildin this thing right!! Thanks all, and I appologize for the novel of a message :)

[Zoe]

That sounds like an awesome cage!!

if it's a baby, make sure you keep it in a smaller tank until it gets big enough - otherwise it will stress in such a big cage :]

Zoe

[ThEmAdHaTtEr]

Yeah, I plan on getting a 3-4-5 footer at first, if i absolutley cant find one, ill get one smaller. I have a 25 gallon tall cage with a sliding screen top that I can put it in. But with the vents and stuff, is that enough ventilation? I dont want the thing to sufficate! And how high should humidity be? And the substrate, is coconut alright? WHat do you use? Thanks Zoe!

[Zoe]

That's enough ventilation! In my cages i have a couple vents, and I spray every other day. If they ever soak, of have some trouble shedding, I'll more often. But every other day seems to work well for me.

I've never used coconut, but yes it should be fine. Either that, cypress mulch, or newspaper/papertowel (which you should use anyway at first :]).

Be sure to post a million pics when you get him!
Zoe

[ThEmAdHaTtEr]

Lol I will! But...I may have to get a BCI instead, I just met a guy selling pastel babies for 100...Dunno. If I see a good IJ ad, Im gettin that. Thanks Zoe!

[ThEmAdHaTtEr]

No I changed my mind, Im gettin a carpet, I have another ? tho. How can I heat the tank? Something I didnt even think of...Any suggestions?

[Zoe]

You could get a radiant heat pannel... expensive, but durable, safe, lasts a LONG time etc. You could put heat lamps (outside the cage), heat tape, or heat pads.

Zoe

[ThEmAdHaTtEr]

If I put heat lamps, that would mean another vent. I could put on on the right side of the tank by cutting a hole in it and have mesh screen on the bottom and just sit it on there above the hide box. But would that cause more ventilation than it should?

[Zoe]

Nope... if it gets a little dry in there just spray more often :]

Zoe

[ThEmAdHaTtEr]

Will do! Sounds like a plan..Would only one bulb heat the whole cage? How can I put a UTH in there? What would I use? I cant stikc it to wood (obviously). A friend of mine puts a UTS in there and just buries it in the substrate, like a heat block. Would that work if I used cocoanut? Thanks!

[Zoe]

I don't know if that would work.

Depends on the size and wattage of the bulb, I guess.

I have heat pads under my papertowel, and it works, I don't know if it would work with a substrate.

[Jeff_Favelle]

Would only one bulb heat the whole cage?

That's not a question that can be answered by anyone. This is precisely why you find out the preferred range of temperatures for the animal(s) you want, build the cage, and then test your heat sources (whichever ones you choose). The snake doesn't care how it gets its heat, it just wants the right range to thrive. So buy 2 thermometers and make it happen. Its different for every setup, in every climate, in every home, etc etc etc.