multiunit enclosure

[uog11]

i want to build a multiunit for 6 enclosure that should be 36wx18dx12h. i have done quite a bit of research and was recently looking at the habitarum units. i noticed that most people use melamine for the back, but i was wondering if pegboard would be also adequate. the problem i see is that i want to use heat tape and not lights. is this a potential problem with blue tongues and balls touching the heat tape or am i being paranoid? any suggestions would be great. ill use lights if i have to.
thanks
aaron

[ssscales]

Just use your imagination.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v331/ssscales/DSC00061.jpg

[Shad0w]

ssscales

I have seen that pic of your enclosures before in other posts.. I would love it if you could provide dimensions, parts and assembly instructions.

ThanX :)

Bob

[ssscales]

Let me see if I have put that together before on some other forum. It's basically 6 pre-cut standard 4X2 melamine sheets from homedepot for $10.00 each. Sub dam made from 1X4 melamine. Seal all edges with silicone. Two sheets of plexiglass about $30.00 per cage on plastic guides $10.00 each per cage. Pegboard sheet $10.00 for backing, florecent lights from Wal-Mart for $9.00 each, Flexwatt heat tape system, astroturf carpeting.

Each 4X2 enclosure came out to about $100 with lighting, heat and carpeting. Each stand alone was about $300.00.

[uog11]

i think i would prefer to use melamine on the back. would it be better to use incandescent lights in each tank or heat tape? how well would the heat transfer through the wood sideways and not upwards?
thanks
aaron

[Shad0w]

for heat.. id use radiant heat panels inside

[ssscales]

I install Flexwatt tape (heat panels) on the bottoms in the winter and remove in Spring, living in FL and keeping my snakes in the garage (no AC) I rarely need heat. The few weeks a year I may need to turn on the heat. I prefer belly heat, I also switch my flourecent lights for UV heat lights if needed for top heat if temps will fall below 70F. I've used pegboard for years, but do agree using melamine with vents is better if building single cages.

[bidden]

hey aaron, I built a multi-enclosre outta melamine for my gecko's and beardie. it measures 48*18*60in.

http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/500/4273fullcage.jpg

I also just built a beardie enclosure for my cousin that measured 48*20*20

a couple things that I learned that might help:
-melamine weights a tonne( my rack probably weitghs 250lbs at least) so if you can cut that down using pegboard for back (or someother lighter material) it would definatly help.

For heat tape you can build your own heat pannels, just silicone the heat tape to the back of a ceramic/slate tile. The problem I now have is they are hard-wired through the back of the enclosure, and it makes it a pain for cleaning because I can't take them out. So if you can find some way of making them detachable/removable it would help a lot.

Not sure how well heat would trasfer through the melamine, it's pretty thick.

Melamine is pretty easy to work with once you get the hang of it.