I Have A question

[lakeridgekennel]

Hi I have a question I am building an encloser that is a stacked 6'x3x3 4 cage. I want to know how can I do all the lighting. What should I use for heat lamps. How should I put it together. is there a special kit that I can buy. Thanks for all the help
Cheers

[tightsqueeze]

i wouls just use cheap UV fixtures with sheilds

[Ed_r]

Are you using the lights for heat or just for light? And what are you keeping in them? If a snake, no need for UV light. If you not getting your heat source from the light then go to a Lowes or Home Depot and get an undercounter flourecent light, they are only like $15.00 and are not very visible when looking in the cage.

[tightsqueeze]

thats what i meant lol florecent but yeah do what Ed said.

[Chris Steele]

if its just for the heat, go for heat tape or something like that

[Lisa]

if you don't need UV i would suggest light rope.

[lakeridgekennel]

whats Light rope

[Chris Steele]

I would like to ask the same question...Light rope?? never heard of it.

[Edwin]

I think Lisa means rope light. It looks like christmas lights encased in plastic tubing. Rope light is flexible and does not generate heat. I believe Canadian Tire and Walmart carry it.

I like the undercounter flourescent lights, but the replacement bulbs are quite expensive. I use 36" shop light fixtures which I got from Home Depot. It uses standard size fluorescents, and if I ever use my enclosure for herps that need UV, I can easily fit a Reptisun fluorescent in. As for installing the shop light fixture, you just screw it on the ceiling of your cage.

Hope this helps.

[Chris Steele]

so, flourescent lights are perfectly safe to use for lighting?

[lakeridgekennel]

what should I use for Heat?

[Chris Steele]

A heat lamp, Heat tape, Heat pipe, or a heat pad.

[lakeridgekennel]

what kind of heat tape

[Chris Steele]

heat tape with a thermostat. You should be able to find some at a hardware store.

[Edwin]

Originally posted by Chris Steele
so, flourescent lights are perfectly safe to use for lighting?

Yup, they are fine. Just make sure that your herp cannot climb onto it or constrict the fluorescent tubes. You can buy guards for it, or make your own.

For heat, what kind of herps are you planning on keeping?

[lakeridgekennel]

Where do I put the heat Tape.

[lakeridgekennel]

I am Planning to Put Albino Ball's
Where do I put the heat tape

[yankeefoxtrot]

Typically on the bottom of the tank. put a thermestat over it so it will not get to hot. also i put papertowels over the bottom of the cage to help defuse the heat, as well as the substrate. if you do that you shoud be fine

Lucas

[lakeridgekennel]

How much Heat Tape

[yankeefoxtrot]

Well i use heating pads and i usually only cover 1/3 of the cage on a certain side(the hot side). That way i can keep my hot side hot and my cool side cool. Dig?

Lucas

[lakeridgekennel]

Cool, thanks everybody
You have been much help

[yankeefoxtrot]

No prob! Good luck!!


Lucas

[lakeridgekennel]

what size of heat tape and watts do I use