New Ball Python Enclosure

[REH]

Hello I am new to this list. I am building a set of cages for Ball python's I am building sets out of melamine 24" wide 30"deep and 18" tall. this makes the best use of the board. 4"litter board in front. Glass on sliders with locks.

Is the size alright?

For heat I will use human heat pads from WalMart.

Lighting I am unsure. I was thinking of individual 18" florescent tubes.

I can stack these and put a small gap inbetween.

Thanks for any help or ideas.

REH

[chong_python]

whats the lenght? , you said "30"deep and 18" tall" lol whats the difference. ;)
The heat your going to have to have a heat lamp, a heating pad will supply a good under belly heat, some people put it under a hide. ( warm hide , cool hide ) but you will need a "heat lighting system" usually consits of a dome light and a infrared lgiht bulb, however you can use a black light purchased from a dollar store they give off alot of heat, but be prepeared to buy alot of them, the burn out quick. ( my oppinion... get a infrared they last longer )

Floresecnt tubes (uvb lighting ) isn't needed for bp's you can simpily use a light bulb to supply the light.

Make sure he has a cool side of low 80's and a warm side of high 80's low 90's

any other questions? let me know the lenght and pm me if you have any other specific questions

HTH,

Chris

[REH]

24 inches wide 18 inches tall and 30 inches front to back
This is looking from the front
REH

[munchy]

im sure the length will be alright, although i personally would probably go 36" as opposed to 30. for lighting you should be fine with the flourescent fixture you mentioned. i wouldnt bother with the incandescent infrared bulb and all that. the only reason i could think of for that would be to keep ambient temps up but these wood/glass enclosures (provided theyre constructed correctly,) hold ambient heat pretty well with just a heat pad. the uv lighting will look real nice in there and probably compliment the snakes colors alot. good luck and youd best be posting some pics up when youre done!!!