Heat Transfer

[Pinto2]

I have read through all the old threads about cage building and have learned a hole lot. So much in fact that i have read some stuff that contradicts what others say. So heres my question about heating a cage made of melimine (spelling). IF i have a heating pad underneath the cage, will the heat eventually transfer through it. The cage will be wood on all sides except for the front, where it will be plexie glass. I will be using an UTH and a heat light on the top. For a basking spot. Can some you you guys please share your experiences with me so that i don't make newbie mistakes. Should i stick the heating pad to the wood, or rest in a inch below? The cage will be 5' by 2' by 20'' . Thanks
Daniel

[JayC30]

Melamine is not a good conductor of heat, add to that the thickness then not a lot is goin to get through. this is why all commercial ones I have seen have a light fitting inside. The advice in the shop I go to is to put the mat on the back which is hardboard and so thinner. You could always try the method of cutting a hole in the base and covering this with glass and place the heat mat under that.

Plexiglass is not a good idea, it is flexible, and so with a strong snake it can be popped out of the runners. It is also very easy to scratch and so with some lizards it will soon be useless.

Glass is, infact, cheeper especially if you go to a glaziers. For the price of one sheet of 3ftx2ftx4mm perspex I can get two sheets of glass of the same size from my local glazier.

[Invictus]

I'm sorry, I have to disagree with everything JayC30 said. Melamine with a heat pad underneath it will conduct the heat VERY well. So well in fact, that you will still need to thermostatically control it. I build enclosures with light fixtures, and the melamine on top gets so warm that I can literally put a rubbermaid on top of the hot spot and use it as a UTH, and when I build a stacked unit, I have to put an extra sheet of melamine in the floor so as to prevent the light from one enclosure heating up the floor of the enclosure above it.

[mykee]

I'm with Ken completely. Though it may take some time, melamine will not only heat up, but will maintain it; melamine is a great conductor of heat.
To dispell some other bad information, I would also avoid putting your heat source on the side of your enclosure, common sense, at least, would dictate that unless yor reptile sticks to the wall of your enclosure, (as most do not), the heat source would be mostly useless. Get the heat where the inhabitant can use it most; on the ground. Good luck.

[wizbit13]

Yep I agree too. Melamine heats up lovely. A heat mat under mine gives a hot spot of spot on 93 degrees, although I would use a thermostat just incase yo get a 'dodgy' mat which gets too hot.

Adam