Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Is this possible without causing a fire or whatever?
I am really interested in trying to make a leo cage with plaster as the base/substrate..I might mix it with sand and coat it with some kind of poly.Havent figured out the details yet.
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Some heat cables are designed to be imbedded in a layer of concrete underneath tile so I don't see why it would not work. However, I would research this very carefully based on the exact heating product you select.

I think there would be a way to set it up so that cable could be accessed from underneath the tank. It will take some thinking.
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Current snakes:

0.0.1 Gonyosoma oxycephala - Java locale (green)

1.2 Gonyosoma oxycephala - Jave local (green)

2.2 Gonyosoma janseni - Seleyar locale (all black)

1.2 Gonyosoma janseni - Celebes locale (Black & Tan)

Heat cable is very durable, so the question is really does the plaster conduct the heat well enough so the heat cable can't overheat. I have heard that plaster will conduct the heat quite well, but you will need to test this for yourself.

One thing you can do is tape (aluminum tape) the heat cable to the 1/2" extruded aluminum angle that do-it-yourself places sell, and sink that into the plaster. I've done that in sand and it worked well. The aluminum helps diffuse and spread the heat. More of a gentle warming effect. But if plaster is a good heat conducter, you really wouldn't need the aluminum.

Good luck. This sounds like a great project. Let us know if you do it.
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Mark

On the cable Chris is speaking of its not going to be economical to use due to wiring and costs of it etc . Not sure if you mentioned or not what size enclosure , what type of enclosure are you doing?

Reason is if its something you are custom building I would look at doing a poured plaster mold. Like forming a form for a concrete pour on a flat surface. If you do this type bottom of plaster and were doing a wood enclosure i would cut out the bottom and use the plaster poured mold to router the heat cable INTO the flat bottom surface of the poured mold. This would allow for access to the heat cable from below the unit so if it ever went out it could be replaced . Also one thing if its going to be thick mold then you will be waisting time to try to heat it this way and i would ust say install a CHE/basking lamp etc. being its for i think you said geckos ? the belly heat wont be the most important thing long as they have the heat ! so if you provide heat from above ? behind ? heat rock? that would illiminate for the extensive trial & error to get the heating under the bottom working .
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Thanks all this sounds like too much work so I might just stick with what I know.I have like three other projects going right now anyway(Im so ADD)..But I will store this away for future use when I get bored and want to start another project....
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