New reptile room any tips

[reptile king]

I am starting a new reptile room and its 13 feet by 10 feet, it going to house a 4 foot by 8 foot cage for my asain water monitor, and i have to set up 6 chameleon screen cages, also i have 10 other snakes in tubs and 10 other lizards to, i was wondering if anyone has any tips on this not to do, or mistakes you have made, that way i can make a perfect room, everything is for breeding to

Thanks

[infernalis]

It's difficult to mess up, since rooms are infinitely re-arrangeable.

The biggest error I made with ours was electrical outlet placement, a couple of my outlets are behind cage racks and hard to get at.

Make sure the room stays on the warmer side, it's easier to regulate cages if the room is already warm.

Other than that, Just go with whatever pleases you and gives the most efficient use of space available.

[Kmef07]

Im guessing that you already have the room picked out but if not then try and make it an interior room. that is, one that doesn't have an outside wall. It is easier and more energy efficient to regulate a room that doesn't have an outside wall. If it does have an outside wall i would consider putting up some insulation on it so you can regulate the room better.

I would also close any heating/air vents to the room so that the house heat/air doesn't mess with the temp of the room.

[gonesnakee]

Ensure there are no holes or gaps in the wall or baseboards etc.
Screen off all vents & air returns & place a "runner" on the bottom of the door.
Consider getting a lock for the door as well if you have kids or guests that DON'T LISEN!
No outside wall is good but no biggee, I wouldn;t worry too much about closing the vents I keep mine open all the time.
An oil filled space heater may help keep the overall temp of the room up & then just worry about hotspots etc. for individual specimens.
Make sure the window has drapes or some covering if there is one so no direct sunlight only filtered light. Plus keeps folks from seeing in as tyhey are nosy & some can't keep their noses out of other peoples business either. Mark

[infernalis]

Oh yeah, that last post reminds me, It is far easier to examine your room before you move in, empty the room out, vacuum, mop whatever and get it clean.

then check all potential escape paths, The best thing to do is seal down the room so that if any animal escapes it's enclosure, it cannot leave that room.

Plumbers and electricians are sometimes sloppy workers and leave behind escape routes you may have never thought of. Small snakes can squeeze behind a loose outlet cover and go into the drywall.

http://www.reptard.info/snakes/hole.jpg

Gaps in baseboards, puncture holes in drywall .(like a boot kicked hole) and gaps around duct work all invite your escapee to enter.

Cover the windows (We hung heavy blankets over ours. Nosy neighbors do not need to know what you are doing in there.

[infernalis]

That hole in the picture is a photo taken from my basement looking up.

The carpet has been installed with a cut in it to go around that pipe, and it's a loose fit.

So far 2 snakes have used that hole to get in the basement.

I am installing flashing on the floor to seal that passage up.

The pipe is hot water for the radiant heat, so I cannot just fill the hole with foam.

Now just imagine if a large boid got it's head stuck in that hole!

[Kmef07]

That hole in the picture is a photo taken from my basement looking up.

The carpet has been installed with a cut in it to go around that pipe, and it's a loose fit.

So far 2 snakes have used that hole to get in the basement.

I am installing flashing on the floor to seal that passage up.

The pipe is hot water for the radiant heat, so I cannot just fill the hole with foam.

Now just imagine if a large boid got it's head stuck in that hole!


That is a good idea for heating the room using the hot water pipes.

[reptile king]

thanks so much for all your tips and help, its located in the basement on the outside wall, but theres a lot of heat vets that run above it, so it should be fine, but i will also have a heater in it so it will hold the right temp, i was also looking at building a rack for my pythons, and other snakes, and i have zoo med heat cable, is there a site that has plans on how to build a rack, or do you guys have any tips on that, im new to all of this rack systems.

Thanks

[Kmef07]

Design it yourself but there are plenty of youtube videos on how to do it.

[gonesnakee]

Another thing in case it has not been mentioned is to have all the racks & stacks of cages on heavy duty casters so they can be moved with ease.
Helps with cleaning & "escapees" to just roll it out of the way to access behind it etc. Mark