heating for wood enclosure?

nita · 03-07-04, 01:24 PM

Hi all, I have almost completed my enclosure it is made with 5/8 inch chip board and I'm wondering about heating it. I have a heat light built into it but I also want to have an UTH of some sort and am wondering as to the best way to do this. The bottom and about 6 inchs up each side is tiled as well to allow for easy cleaning. So i guess:

1) can I adhere an UTH to the bottom of this, that would put it directly on the wood and I'm wondering about fire hazard.

2) would enough heat actually get through the wood and tile?

3) what would be some other ways of heating.

Big_V · 03-07-04, 01:28 PM

I wouldnt adhere the UTH directly to it. Once they bond to a surface they are incredibly hard to get off and usually are destroyed if removed. Im not exactly sure how much heat would get through because its kinda trial and error. Thats the reason you dont adhere the UTH directly to it. Because if not enough heat is getting through you just wasted a UTH.

jjnnbns · 03-07-04, 01:33 PM

I have a 5/8" plywood enclosure with vinly tile inside and an 11x18 heat pad below. I still need it on a dimmer as it gets over 100 degrees F without the dimmer. It should work for you and I don't think that there is much fire hazard as UTHs don't get THAT hot. Just be sure to put it on a dimmer so that you can regluate the temps and give your snake what it needs. (What are you putting in the new enclosure?)

Invictus · 03-07-04, 02:44 PM

The light itself should be just fine. I heat my enclosures with a 40 watt light bulb, and it gets to about 88 under the bulb, and around 78 ambiently. If you put a UTH under the tile, no heat will get through and it will be a waste.

latazyo · 03-07-04, 03:54 PM

oddly enough, my enclosure is made out of 5/8" plywood and at half power, my UTH is making a toasty 87 degrees

the only way to find out is trial and error, I suppose, but I am guessing that with my UTH turned up, it would easily heat through the tile and wood

also...you will have a hell of a time adhering that to the wood...not even duct tape held for us, so I kind of made a "frame" around my UTH out of 1x1 wood scraps and screwed them in and it's been working...

and about the fire...if you put a UTH on the bottom of a glass aquarium and set it on your dresser, there is just as little a chance of fire than if you put it on a wood enclosure

your only fire hazards will come with faulty electric work, which could happen on any type of enclsure

good choice with wood and good luck

nita · 03-07-04, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jjnnbns
(What are you putting in the new enclosure?)

My BP's for now, eventually though I want a pastel Boa and she/he would have it then all to itself and the BP's would be separated and but into a rack system. But I'm not doing that till the BP's are breeding age/size.

Quote:

The light itself should be just fine. I heat my enclosures with a 40 watt light bulb,

I wasn't sure since I have a 100watt bulb over my current home, 33gal tank and I had to add a UTH still in order to maintain proper temps but then I guess the glass with screen top is harder to maintain. Also the new enclosure has 30 cubic ft. 5' long X 3' wide X 2' high. Even with a 100 Watt I was worried it might not be warm enough.

Thanks all.

Invictus · 03-07-04, 07:01 PM

An enclosure that size would be terrible for BPs. They require closed-in spaces in order to feel secure. This isn't true of all species, but for BPs it most certainly is. Also, you should be separating them right away. Don't mistake their timid nature for friendliness - they are NOT social, and do NOT want to be around each other. And yes, the reason you're having difficulty is because glass tanks with screen tops allow too much heat and humidity to escape.

Lisa · 03-08-04, 11:34 PM

We have no problem with glass tanks and screened tops, and using a uth to heat through 3/4" melamine. Tiles should not be an issue, it's basicly just rock and rocks conduct and disapate heat pretty well.

Of course depending on where you live may give you better results with one method over another.

mykee · 03-09-04, 11:36 PM

You will definitely need a belly heat source, a heat bulb is not adequate for BP's, and a UTH or heat tape will most definitely heat through 5/8 melamine and tile, without the fear of fire, if everything is wired properly. I second Invictus's comments in that you should seperate your BP's immediately.