Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm working on the design for a condo to hold my 4 BPs and I'm to the point of considering floor and heat options. I was thinking of making the floor out of a layer of 1/4in ply topped with FRP panel I saw at home depot. It is like a thick plastic that can be used in showers and such. For the heat I was thinking of cutting out the plywood in the spot where the flexwatt would go so the flexwatt would be directly on the underside of the FRP. I'd like to hear some feedback on that design. Is it necessary to cut away the ply or would the flex heat throught that and the FRP and the astroturf substrate? Has anyone used FRP for the floor? I'd like to know how easy it is to cut and glue. I'm also wondering if the FRP is able to take the heat of the flexwatt directly on it. TIA.

First I would only use FRP for flooring as a last resort. The textured surfacce can make cleaning difficult. A better option would be something smooth. For example find asign shop and see if they can get you PVCX or vinyl film. Both will provide protection while still giving you a smooth surface that is easy to clean.

By far (if you can get vinyl film) the easiest cage is really a carcass made of melamine with the inside laminated with the vinyl film. Melamine is flat, cheap, and easy to find. It also provides a finished surface for the vinyl to adhere. And as a last resort in the event of a tear in the vinyl the melamine will provide some protection until the area can be patched.

If you do go with a ridgid panel like FRP or PVCX cutting a space out of the floor IE in the ply and setting in a heat source like heat tape or flexwatt, is an ideal heat set up. The hole in the ply allows for an airspace in which the flexwatt is placed a safer setup than just sandwitching the flexwat between the ply and rigid panel. I don't recommend sandwitching the flexwatt that can be dangerous.

The main problm with flexwatt is that it radiate's heat from both sides so if it is in the panel or under the shelf it still radiate's the same. However if the energy must travel through the shelf it will be dramatically weekened. I always suggest using some sort of radient barrier like reflextic to dirrect the heat towards the cage intended.

Has anyone used FRP for the floor?

No, but I am using it for some walls in my Lizard enclosures. I think vinyl flooring is a much cheaper easier product to work with for the floor. Granted its not as rigid but it will protect the floor and is easy to replace.

like to know how easy it is to cut and glue.

Not as easy as the vinyl floor or wood for that matter. They make plenty of adhesives designed for FRP like Henry's FRP contact cement.

I'm also wondering if the FRP is able to take the heat of the flexwatt directly on it.

Yes

Good Luck
-----
Jeremy

"I am become death, the destroyer of worlds" July 16, 1945 Robert Oppenheimer

1.1 Double Het "Sharp" Snow RTB's
1.1 Hypomelenistic RTB's
0.2 Pastel Hypo RTB's
2.0 Double Het Stripe Albino RTB's
0.1 Suriname RTB
0.1 Anerthrystic RTB
0.0.11 Red Bearded Dragons
1.1 Rhinoceros Iguana's
1.0 Green Iguana
1.0 Ball Python
1.1 Cream Golden Retrieviers
1.0 Pomeriaian
0.2 Catus Terribilis
0.1 Spouse
0.0.1 Youth -coming soon-

Thanks for the detailed reply. That was a big help.

Although undercage heat is economical and effective, it can introduce complexity when designing a wood cage.

If you go with overhead heat (RHP, ceramic bulb, etc) then you can use any flooring from ceramic tile to PVCx to vinyl film and not worry about trying to device a system to heat the floor but not the plywood (if using plywood.)

Overhead heat works well in a wood cage because the cage insulates nicely. You'll need less wattage than you may think.