Lookin' good there, NC! Congratulations! This isn't a pot-shot, but I really like the "simple" aspect of it. Man, I wish sometimes that I could stick to the K.I.S.S. rule (Keep It Simple Stupid). I have a tendency to try to get too fancy, which takes more time and usually causes more aggravation. Ha!

About your question on flexwatt - I don't have any personal experience with it but I've read a lot about how people use it and etc. You'll lose too much heat trying to heat through 1/2" plywood. Most applications I've seen involved routing an area (aprox. 3/8" deep) out of the plywood cage bottom to place the Flexwatt within. A 1/4" sheet of expanded pvc, sintra (material used to make signs), or something similar & fairly heat-conductive is then placed over the whole floor.

If you're not stuck on using belly heat another option could be to install a fluorescent light inside the cage and replace the lights in the domes with ceramic heat emitters.

There are a few things I'd like to mention but I don't want you to think I'm nitpickin' your new cage. I don't wanna burst your bubble, by any means, as you should be proud of what you've accomplished. I like it.

With the lights spread so far apart, evenly on both ends of the cage, are you still able to get a good thermal gradient (hot side, cool side)? Using different size (wattage) lights or CHEs might work.

I can't tell for sure from the pics but have you sealed the wood to protect from humidity & absorbing feces, making the cage last longer & easier to clean?

One thing's for sure, you couldn't buy a cage that size for the money you've got in that one.

Good job, and congrats, again!

Take care!
HH
-----
Due to political correctness run amuck,
this ol' hillbilly is now referred to as an:
Appalachian American

[ Hide Replies ]

• My 1st attempt at building an enclosure - Novice_Charmer, Mon Mar 3 23:23:23 2008
• RE: My 1st attempt at building an enclosure - HappyHillbilly, Tue Mar 4 08:50:11 2008
• RE: My 1st attempt at building an enclos - Novice_Charmer, Tue Mar 4 14:11:04 2008
• RE: My 1st attempt at building an enclos - laurarfl, Tue Mar 4 20:12:21 2008
• RE: My 1st attempt at building an enclos - Novice_Charmer, Tue Mar 4 20:22:17 2008
• RE: My 1st attempt at building an enclos - ArtInScales, Tue Mar 4 23:42:24 2008
• RE: My 1st attempt at building an enclos - HappyHillbilly, Wed Mar 5 07:39:39 2008
• Great Job! n/p - rottenweiler9, Tue Mar 4 19:35:39 2008
• RE: Great Job! n/p - Novice_Charmer, Tue Mar 4 20:22:45 2008