Planning a reptile room; what do I need?

Jessicat · 08-31-13, 03:29 PM

Hey all, as the thread title says, I'm moving out and have a room just for the reptiles. What do I need to get it set up in the best way for them? Mainly for maintaining a steady room temperature, I think some room heaters are better than others but I'm not sure which to go with [it's not a very big room, I'll get measurements if needed]. Also, the room will be closed most of the time to better regulate the temps/keep the cat out, lol, is there anything recommended for keeping the air clean/circulated? I've heard some air purifiers are not safe to be around smaller animals.

I have PVC enclosures from Powerhouse Displays; one 4x2x1 horizontal for my Leopard Geckos, and a 3x2x2 for my Carpet Python [not sure how this is supposed to be oriented but I think vertical is best?]; the leos will have undertank heat tape and the carpet python will have both UTHT and a radiant heat panel. Everything will be connected to a herpstat. Should I add lights to the cages? Seems pretty dark inside. What is the best way to set up these enclosures? I want them to be easily accessable so they need a bit of height off the ground, but I don't have any furniture to put them on. Will brackets on the wall work, or is there a better solution?

Sorry for all the questions, thanks in advance for any help :3

ErikBush97 · 08-31-13, 03:40 PM

You could install a thermometer for that room and set it to whatever ambient your reptiles need. I'm moving in October and that's what I plan on doing.

**Aaron_S** · 08-31-13, 03:47 PM

You shouldn't need anything beyond what heating elements you have per enclosure.

Remember that any product bought wasn't designed for what we use them as. If you want a heater you should probably go commercial as residential ones aren't built for constant high output.

Also, I'd try not to heat the entire room. Our houses aren't built for that type of long term exposure to those temperatures and humidity. It's why I regulate the rack systems with heat tape and keep the humidity properly within the tubs too.

atavuss · 10-09-13, 08:49 PM

I just use a oil filled radiant heater to heat a bedroom that has all my snakes in it. I use the lowest setting (600 watts) on the heater and the thermostat on the heater is set at 74, that way the room will not get below 74 degrees.

Chris72 · 10-10-13, 08:12 AM

If you are in a condo etc you are, just as Aaron mentioned, likely going to be just fine with the heat elements needed on the cage.

If you are in a house (you are in T.O. & winter is comin) you may...may...need to augment ambient room temp if we are talking about a corner room. My room has two external walls (corner of house) and is in the basement. As such the ambient temps are already getting too cool so I have an oil rad, on a thermostat, in there to ensure temps do not drop below 77. (Would be about 68-70 otherwise)

Lots of people in SWO keep thier snake room cozy with the heat tape only so chances are you will be just fine. Just make sure you know what the room tempurature is going to be in the evening so if adjustment is needed to can address it before it's very, very cold out.

(Get a digital thermometer in there now so you can keep an eye on it)

.

Mikoh4792 · 10-10-13, 08:34 AM

Id give the carpet a horizontal setup. 2x2 floor space isn't enough for an adult carpet to move around.

Terranaut · 10-10-13, 11:39 AM

I built mine in the garage. I added a 1500watt ir heater on a thermostat after spending the summer insulating it and adding a laminate floor. I also got a fan controller for a greenhouse. When humidity drops below 50% it turns a humidifier on. This works great when it's -20º outside and dry as a fart inside the house. If I could give 1piece of advice it would be to keep clutter out. Then you can let your snakes roam a bit.