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
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Due to political correctness run amuck,

this ol' hillbilly is now referred to as an:

Appalachian American

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