DIY Snake Enclosures Heating

[Corwin]

Hello,

I am building some snake enclosures out of 1/2" MDF/Particle Board (painted on the inside to seal them, and siliconed on the corners). I was wondering how to heat them without spending a lot of additional money (we are already spending 40-50$ per enclosure). We have used Heat Lamps Solely in the past, though i understand those are not sufficient.

A bit more detail on the cages, they will be 26Dx25Hx31L (outer dimensions), mostly out of 1/2" MDF, the back top 6 inches will be peg board (for ventilation). the opening/doors to the cage will be wooden framed glass on hinges). They will be 2 inches from the wall (again for ventilation of the pegboard). We are build at least 6 of these enclosures, potentially 8. they will stack in stacks of 3.

What would be the best way to heat through the 1/2" MDF while staying on the cheap side of things? I see Heat tape recommended alot, however it seems very expensive as one needs a thermostat, also would it actually be able to heat through the wood? in addition it seems very complicated to set-up/install. There are also those heat-pads, but those seem pricey too).

Would heat Lamps work for this (if i were to use a heat lamp, i would make a an gap in the top of the cage, lined with wood on the sides, and fiberglass mesh on the bottom (to allow the heat through).

I received some feedback from someone, and though of this based on that:
if i cut a hole in the bottom of the cage, say 11x11, then i place a 12x12 tile (ceramic or thin wood) over that and silicone it into place, would that be an effective way to have heat tape heat the cage?

Also, where can i find cheap thermostats, best i have found was 50 unwired, 79 wired. . . ouch.

Thanks!

[presspirate]

Take a look at this thread. It may help you out. The general consensus seems to be ceramic heater inside the cage, with a metal bulb cage around it.

[Freebody]

the cage i dont have in my snake room that i heat seperatly is 48" long 48" wide and 30" tall, i use 2x 50 foot 50 watt heat cord taped underneath the 3/4 malemine floor with tuct tape and i dont use a thermostate the cord pluged into the wall at full streangth heats my floor to 88 d in the hot side where the cord is condensede, and the rest the cord is just not so condensed and it 80 somthing i measured it last week and forgot but the cage is good, maybe make a cheep reostat just to be on the safe side How to make your own Rheostat for less than $7! Detailed instructions. - CornSnakes.com Forums GL

[Corwin]

Originally Posted by Freebody

the cage i dont have in my snake room that i heat seperatly is 48" long 48" wide and 30" tall, i use 2x 50 foot 50 watt heat cord taped underneath the 3/4 malemine floor with tuct tape and i dont use a thermostate the cord pluged into the wall at full streangth heats my floor to 88 d in the hot side where the cord is condensede, and the rest the cord is just not so condensed and it 80 somthing i measured it last week and forgot but the cage is good, maybe make a cheep reostat just to be on the safe side How to make your own Rheostat for less than $7! Detailed instructions. - CornSnakes.com Forums GL

Thats a great idea! I think we will try this first!

Take a look at this thread. It may help you out. The general consensus seems to be ceramic heater inside the cage, with a metal bulb cage around it.

Heya, you didn't link the thread :P


Here is another question, assuming the above ideas do not work, would a patch of 11W heat tape 1 foot long, be enough heat to heat through a ceramic tile in one of my enclosures (31x26x25)?, this would mostly be to provide a basking spot.

[presspirate]

CRAP! I'm sorry. Here is the link, I hope it helps. http://www.ssnakess.com/forums/gener...-question.html

BTW From what I have read, flexwatt does not heat well through tile. I do not know this for a fact, but from some of the forums I have read, a lot of people will lay it on top of tile and then cover it with a plastic shelf liner.