Posted by:
chris_harper2
at Sun May 18 12:41:10 2003 [ Email Message ] [ Show All Posts by chris_harper2 ]
The cages could easily be heated with an Under Tank Heater (aka, UTH) that slides under the PVC floor.
You need to cut a groove behind or on the side the shelves. The groove should be just above the floor of the shelf you are trying to heat. When you install your PVC floor you'll need to shim it up slightly to allow the UTH to slide underneath. The UTH will then rest on the floor of the shelf and have the PVC floor of the cage just above it.
Or, you could cut a hole out of each shelf and then cover the hole with PVC. Route the wire through a small hole in the back of the cage and tape the UTH to the PVC floor above.
The downfall to this is that the shelves will lose some of their strength. The groove in the back or side will be stronger.
The easiest way to light the cage would be with rope light available at Walmart, etc. Just cut two holes the same diameter as the rope light at both ends of the cage and then weave the rope light though. There are pictures of this on the web. If you type "Boaphile" and "rope light" into Google you should find them.
Small circular vents are available at Rockler.com. Simply use a hole saw to cut holes through the back and attach the vents.
The PVC is available online from US Plastics and Tap Plastics to name two.
Since this is for Leopard Geckos you might be able to get away with simply putting PVC on the floor and 2" or so up the sides. The vinyl coating on your shelves really won't take any abuse from a leopard gecko.
With Leopard Geckos you could probably use glass track for 1/8" glass or acrylic to make your sliding doors. Clear spacers can be put in between the two doors to make them cricket proof.
That will save you a lot of money. I know many people who keeps snakes behind 1/8" glass so it won't be a problem for you.
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