PVC Enclosure - How to heat it

mattchibi · 10-13-11, 07:25 PM

Here are some pictures of the PVC enclosure I am about to buy for my BP. They are made by All Reptiles in Toronto, Canada. I plan on going to check them out before buying one. Has anyone dealt with these guys before, and if not, what are some important things I need to be looking for when it comes to plastic snake cages?

They said that they use these tanks in their own store and use flexwatt underneath to heat them. Do these seem like good cages to you guys?

My friend bought a colombian pastel from there, healthy as can be, so I trust them a little already. Just thought that buying an enclosure might be smarter for now, until I am more familiar with snakes.

Right now my female BP is in a regular 20 gal glass, Im thinking of moving her within the next 3-4 months into a 48 Long x 24 Wide x 12 Deep PVC enclosure. She is very small for her age, 3 years old and 30 inches.

Is that size of an enclosure too big for her? I saw this guys enclosure and I wanted something similar. http://www.ssnakess.com/forums/enclo...enclosure.html I think 48 x 12 x 12 might be better since shes probably not going to get too much bigger..

Heres a link to the store im buying it from: All Reptiles

Since heat lamps arent an option, I plan on getting a radiant heat panel to control air temps and to have a flexwatt as a hot spot. Is this a viable idea for such a big space ?

**lady_bug87** · 10-13-11, 07:30 PM

I saw those guys at the expo last month, they seem legit the guy I talked to said he used UTH pads with spacers (he stacked them like you have in the picture) I thought about getting one for my Colombian but I may make it instead

mattchibi · 10-13-11, 07:50 PM

What changed your mind ? Other than the fact that it would be a little cheaper to build it yourself.

**lady_bug87** · 10-13-11, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mattchibi

What changed your mind ? Other than the fact that it would be a little cheaper to build it yourself.

I wanted to incorporate a water tub by adding a refurbished sink (like a bathroom sink) which would be set into the bottom of the viv with descending pipe and valve for easy draining so she would have something big and deep to soak in. essentially I would build a cabinet and then cover the top and add in the sink raised enough so that the substrate would not slip into the water easily then in cabinet i would leave the pipe exposed with the business end in a 5L pail. I would add doors to conceal the plumbing then build the viv around the sink making sure the sink is sealed with calking it'll probably be a huge tank but she will be 9ft long :P

ZARADOZIA · 10-16-11, 03:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lady_bug87

I wanted to incorporate a water tub by adding a refurbished sink (like a bathroom sink) which would be set into the bottom of the viv with descending pipe and valve for easy draining so she would have something big and deep to soak in. essentially I would build a cabinet and then cover the top and add in the sink raised enough so that the substrate would not slip into the water easily then in cabinet i would leave the pipe exposed with the business end in a 5L pail. I would add doors to conceal the plumbing then build the viv around the sink making sure the sink is sealed with calking it'll probably be a huge tank but she will be 9ft long :P

This is a fabulous idea! Thanks for sharing it!

**lady_bug87** · 10-16-11, 07:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZARADOZIA

This is a fabulous idea! Thanks for sharing it!

thank you, my dad is a plumber (well actually he's a plumber, turned engineer, turned sprinkler contractor) so the pipe and sinks and stuff will be more or less free

Jenn_06 · 10-14-11, 04:35 AM

i have PVC cages almost like those and just use flexwatt (love them) and i know a few people up north that use those cages you have there and they like them.

mykee · 10-14-11, 08:34 AM

2 X 4 is toooooooo big for a ball python.

Gungirl · 10-14-11, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mykee

2 X 4 is toooooooo big for a ball python.

I get that they like to hide and be in smaller spaces..I have my ball whom is 30" long and just over a year old right now in a 4ft x 2ft x 18" viv with a lot of ground cover and hides. He is doing great ( maybe im lucky) What size would you suggest putting a full grown ball in? If I can down size him and use this viv for something else I am game!

mattchibi · 10-14-11, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gungirl

I get that they like to hide and be in smaller spaces..I have my ball whom is 30" long and just over a year old right now in a 4ft x 2ft x 18" viv with a lot of ground cover and hides. He is doing great ( maybe im lucky) What size would you suggest putting a full grown ball in? If I can down size him and use this viv for something else I am game!

Yes I am interested in this as well. What is the largest (but still efficient) size tank that I could put my bp in? Ive seen a few people now who house their bps in 4' x 2'. What about if I built a 4' x 1' x 1', like a longer version of the 20 gal glass tanks?

Also gungirl, Im curious as to how youre heating your enclosure. Just in case I decide to get something with similar dimensions. Thanks

Gungirl · 10-14-11, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mattchibi

Yes I am interested in this as well. What is the largest (but still efficient) size tank that I could put my bp in? Ive seen a few people now who house their bps in 4' x 2'. What about if I built a 4' x 1' x 1', like a longer version of the 20 gal glass tanks?

Also gungirl, Im curious as to how youre heating your enclosure. Just in case I decide to get something with similar dimensions. Thanks

You can look at my enclosure here: http://www.ssnakess.com/forums/enclo...uld-share.html

I use a single piece of 11" flex watt on his hot side and then a Radiant heat panel for ambient temp. He has always had great temps and humidity with no issues at all.

Lankyrob · 10-14-11, 12:11 PM

My BP is also in a 4x2x2 viv, has been since we got him as a hatchling, provding plenty of ground cover and he is fine - eats fine, sheds fine, poops fine, comes out and explores when he wants - all fine!

mattchibi · 10-14-11, 03:09 PM

Thanks so much you guys! Both of the last posts helped me alot.

Just purchased a pvc enclosure from All Reptiles, looks like this: (Dimensions are 4 x 2 x 1)

It smells a bit tho, of something glue-ish or rubber, so im going to keep the glass open and let it air out for a week. I dont plan on putting my bp in until I order the RHP or flexwatt. Im pretty convinced if I make a setup like Clementine (where she has the option to bask), then the RHP would be the way to go.

Height wise, its a small enclosure, only 12" high. If I placed the RHP at the top of the right side, and offered it a raised basking spot, is there any risk of my BP touching the RHP and getting burned ?

ALSO: How would I light up this enclosure for better viewing ? Its pretty dark right now . My options seem to be: a) RHP for hotspot & to control ambient temps (apparently this works alone), b) 4" flexwatt to control hotspot & RHP to control ambient temps, c) 4" flexwatt hotspot & bulb to control ambient temps ?

Nismo89 · 10-14-11, 03:17 PM

It really all depends on the temperature of the room the snake will be in. In my enclosures I can get away with only using UTH and my ambient temps are just fine because my snake room never drops below 76 deg. F. If it gets chilly in your house I'd def recommend a RHP because with bulbs you'll have to replace it every so often when it burns out/stops working which is not a case with a RHP

**millertime89** · 10-14-11, 04:04 PM

that's a boaphile right?
I too would recommend a RHP or UTH, I use the UTH and my ambient temps are fine as well.