Any Suggestions on this home built Cage?

[sclark]

Hey All,

Ever since I got into Boa's for my own pet, not just rescues, I have been reading this site.. Its a great site with alot of good info.

Now I have a question..
I built a double cage for two of my snakes. The top is for a Ball Python, and the bottom is for my Boa.. Now here is the question..

For the bottom cage I need to figure what to do to add abit more heat without risking the the snake to burns. I am currently using a pig blanket on one side of the bottom. In case you don't know what a pig blanket is, it is basically a plastic covered heater that is water tight. I have one in the top with the ball and one in the bottom with the boa. Now the problem is I don't want to just put a raw bulb on their with the Boa. I know it can be covered with screen, but this guy is normally checking everything out, don't want him or her to hurt its face. So any suggestions. I would like to increase that side of the tank by about 10 degree's and give a basking area..

Any safe suggestions..
BTW, I wanted to show pics of the cages finished, but I haven't finished making the hides or adding the grapevives and stuff.. That will be soon..

The full size of the cage is 2 foot deep, 5 foot high and 4.6 foot long.

Thanks for any help..
Steve Clark

[sclark]

Re: Any Suggestions on this home built Cage?

Sorry, not sure how to post more then one at a time...
This is the pig blanket heater, normally covered a little..

[sclark]

Re: Any Suggestions on this home built Cage?

Last pic....
This is the Ball's home, top..

[SnakeDan]

Re: Any Suggestions on this home built Cage?

Great job on the cage. Looks great. I have a suggestion on how you can heat your cage. Try the horizontal type lighting fixtures. You can probably counter sink it into the top of the lower cage. It might also raise the heat in the upper cage. You will have to watch the temps to make sure it doesnt get to hot. The snake will not hurt herself on the light as long as you keep a nice screen over it. I hope this has helped you in what you were looking for. Have a great day and let me know what you decide to do.
later
Dan

[sclark]

Re: Any Suggestions on this home built Cage?

Hey Dan,

Thanks for taking the time to reply.. I really appreciate it..

I think I understand what you mean, I just can't seem to find anything that will work. I am starting to get worried, the temp inside middle has been dropping to 70 degree's. I keep clipping on a heat lamp when he is in his hide just to get the temp upto 80. I don't want this guy to get sick. Any idea where I can find the light housing you mentioned.

Thanks again..
Best Regards
Steve

[LORI]

Re: Any Suggestions on this home built Cage?

LOOKS NICE!! You could try this for heating the cages... Heating panels. They are expensive, but they do the job just fine np also. They work great in a cage like that one also IMO. They attach to the ceiling of the cage and you can set them up also so that they adjust accordingly to the desired temps also. The snakes will NOT hurt themselves on them at all either like they could if you threw a bulb in there and they started checking it out. Just go with ones that are about 1/3rd the surface area of the ceiling in the cage. That would heat it np for what you need.

[sclark]

Re: Any Suggestions on this home built Cage?

Thanks for the thought Lori.

One question, do you think this type of heater on a ceiling that is 24 inches away from the floor will provide enough..
Here is the link..

http://www.bigappleherp.com/bigappleherp.filereader?3e5455db02be992e271d424d361a062e+EN/products/118100

Thanks Steve

[LucyABCC]

Re: Any Suggestions on this home built Cage?

i personally would recommend pro-products RHP.  you can go to their web page for more info  www.pro-products.com.   i just finished my home built enclosure that has almost the exact same dimensions except mine is just one big enclosure and it heats unbelievably!  all you need is a thermostat and your set.  keeps the warm side 88-92 and the cool side about 10 degrees warmer.  and you can keep your pig blanket for a hot spot.  someone recommended pro products to me and i couldn't be happier. ;D

[stormyva]

Re: Any Suggestions on this home built Cage?

That is a great looking cage!

The finish on it is very unique.....
What kind of wood and finish did you use?

[sclark]

Re: Any Suggestions on this home built Cage?

Hello Subluxations Kill,

Thanks for the link.. I will look for that today.

I appreciate the help.

Best Regards
Steve Clark

[sclark]

Re: Any Suggestions on this home built Cage?

Hi stormyva,

Thanks for the comment.. As for the finish.

Both the inside and outside are just smooth plywood. I sanded like nuts, used wood fill for the seams and any screw holes. I then painted the with acrilic paint, the black was painted on, the green and brown was sponged on. Then I sealed all seams with clear acrilic, and pained the whole inside with acrilic sealer, went on cloudy dryed clear.

I wanted something other then wood looking on the out side, so i stained the the whole outside and used a sponge for the black and a damp papertowle to smear it and make it look abit aged.

Hope that helped. I can't wait till sping, I just designed a very, very cool cabinet, just want it to warm up some so i can do work outside..

I am trying to get images of a unit I bulit for someone, its a whole wall unit, 15 foot long, 8 foot high, and 30 inches deep. It houses 12 snakes..

Best regards
Steve Clark

[stormyva]

Re: Any Suggestions on this home built Cage?

Cool!
Thanks for the info!
I am going to work on my 6x2x18 this weekend

[LORI]

Re: Any Suggestions on this home built Cage?

Nope Steve, that's not what I am refering to at all actually. This link is the panels I am talking about.... http://www.pro-products.com/proheat.html I use these in quite a few of my cages here and IMO are the best heating source I have as yet to come across for my snakes. Like I said though..they are expensive, BUT well worth it !


Hey sub... That link is to the wrong addy I think. It's the
pro-products one ya want, not the proproducts one. { I do that all the time myself ] The heating panels above that i listed are on their site. Same thing you are refering to actually.. Radiant Heat Panels. They are avilable from other sources too, I don't remember who has them also though atm. I haven't had to buy one in quite a few aears here at all. Need to get more really soon though for some new cages we'll be building soon. These things last for years, cost less to operate, are not hot to the touch that they will burn the snake at all etc etc. OH and they also hold / build humidity GREAT ! I have np getting what I want for humidity in any of the cages that have this in them at all. All I do is just place a water bowl under the side the RHP is on and humidity goes up and stays there np.

[SnakeDan]

Re: Any Suggestions on this home built Cage?

Steve,
I am sorry I didn't get back here sooner . The fixture Iwas refering too is the common 2 bulb type that a lot of companies make. It could be mounted several ways ,cut the top of the bottom cage to fit so it is countersunk into the top , or if you have enough room mount it upside down and build a wire cover to protect the snake .
The heat panels would be a great idea (I gotta check those out ) depending on expense ,of course .
Those are just a couple of thoughts that might wok out for you .
Good Luck ,
and Have Fun with it
Later
Dan

[Larry]

Re: Any Suggestions on this home built Cage?

I noticed that www.bigappleherp.com also sells radient heat panels under the name of Dragon Lair.  The prices seem good...the largest was 24" x 11" (54 watts) and I believe it was under $40.00.

I have one of their Dragon Lair heat mats (UTH) on a thermostat and it works really well.

Hope this helps ;D

Larry
Waynesboro, VA