>>Hi,
>>After 12 years of having nothing to do with snakes, my daughter inherited a couple of balls from some friends of the family. It's been a while since I've built an enclosure, and I need some input.
>>

Welcome back!

>>I'm going to build a multi-compartment dwelling (daddy plans on getting a few more higher end animals, now that it's ok with the rest of the fam), so my questions are as follows.
>>
>>Building material:
>>It's going to have a finished facade, but what are your opinions on the following.
>>
>>1.Melamine: I remember this had to be baked/cured because there was issues with toxic fumes when heat was applied. Does this still hold true?
>>

I have never used a melamine faced product for herp enclosures, but would probably go with the type that uses hardboard instead of particle board for a base material.
My material of choice has been expanded pvc sheet. It is cost effective, not too heavy, needs no finishing or sealing and is very easy to work with.
What kind of facade are you planning?

>>2. RHP?
>>I live in the Pacific Northwest now, it gets cold here at night. I'd prefer a RHP, does anyone have experience with matching wattage vs. size of cages vs. nighttime temperatures. I tend to overdo anything and then back off, but I want to avoid overkill since I've never used RHP in the past.
>>

Has been a lot of discussion on RHP's here. Probably best to check on the particular forum for the different specie you will be keeping as well as the manufacturer for more sizing information. Personally, I feel that the room should be conditioned first and foremost and then cage heating used to create proper basking area temps and cage gradient.

>>3. Ventilation and temperature regulation.
>>For a unit that will house 4-6 different cages (1-2 small semi/arboreal). On which levels do you usually install the heating devices, or where do you place your priorities for species on them (since heat rises and can increase the temperature of the unites above--learned the hard way a long time ago).
>>

Not sure I understand your question here. I would try to isolate each group of cages to run independently of the others, with regard to the specie requirements. Always set up the enclosures well ahead of time and moniter the temps etc to see how they perform. If a level is being affected differently based on its location you can modify the setup accodingly.



>>Side Ventilation or leave space behind the unit for top vents?
>>
>>Running multiple therms? Do you prefer one per level, one on the bottom, and a second one wired to act as a kill if the temperature up top gets too hot?
>>

Again lots of differing views on this, with the animals health and well being always most important.
I would use a seperate t-stat for each small group of identical cage setups, or a unit that can moniter each cage seperately. Redundancy is always good.

Ventilation requirements can also differ by specie, and will also affect the amount of moisture in the cage environment. It is a delicate balance, but once figured out easy to maintain.


>>
>>I'd appreciate any input, I'm not a fool, but it's been a long time since I've dealt with any of this, and I don't feel necessarily confident.
>>
>>Any pictures, or design ideas would be much appreciated, especially from anyone in my region who understand how the weather is up here.
>>
>>Best,
>>Quenton

Would love to see build pics as you progress.
-----
Larry Stroud - Fort Pierce, Florida

[ Reply To This Message ] [ Subscribe to this Thread ] [ Show Entire Thread ]