Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am going to build 2 boa cages 4 ft x 2 ft by 18 inches. Will 11" heat tape heat through 3/4 inch plywood.I plan to have a 1/4 inch gap under the floor of each cage to mount the tape. I will use 2 pieces of 11 inch tape. I will have it hooked to a Johnsons controls thermostat. Thanks for any help/advice.
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Thanks and Take Care
Thomas Jones

It will but I think there is a better way.

Cut a rectangle out of the floor of the cage this is 2" longer and wider than the size of the heat tape you will be using. Keep this cutout at least 2" away from the walls of the cage so the floor maintains its structural integrity.

Route a groove from the cutout to the back or side of the cage. This groove should be deep enough for the wires that will run to the heat tape.

Cover the entire floor with a 4x2 piece of Sintra or other sign board. In most cases 1/8" is thick enough but 1/4" might be a bit better. Silicone the edges where it meets the cage walls.

Use an aluminum tape with the appropriate rating to attache the heat tape to the underside of the plastic floor.

I like this method as Sintra conducts heat well and it offers a more durable and easier to clean floor. It also provides an air space to the heat tape.

You can even build the cages without a wooden floor and just attach the Sintra right to the bottom of the cage, not unlike the thin backs you attach to modular bookshelves. This saves money and weight and allows you to replace the floor when needed.
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Current snakes:

0.0.1 Gonyosoma oxycephala - Java locale (green)

0.2 Gonyosoma oxycephala - Malaysian locale (green)

1.2 Gonyosoma oxycephala - Java local (green)

2.2 Gonyosoma janseni - Seleyar locale (all black)

1.2 Gonyosoma janseni - Celebes locale (Black & Tan)

Thanks for the idea Chris. I have a left over piece of Sintra. It is not enough to get two pieces 2 foot by four feet. Do you think I could get away with heating the cage with one piece of 11 inch tape. i could cut the sinitra to fit half the cage and silicone arond the edges. I will be using Cypress mulch to cover the bottom. My other option is to put in a light fixture with a heat emmitter. But i would rather have the tape hidden.
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Thanks and Take Care
Thomas Jones

I like the idea of just putting the Sintra down on 50% of each of the cages since you already have it.

What are you using to seal the rest of the cage? I would probably put that down over the entire floor, including the side where the Sintra will go, and then glueing down the Sintra. Just a bit of extra protection in case some moisture should seep underneath the Sintra.
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Current snakes:

0.0.1 Gonyosoma oxycephala - Java locale (green)

0.2 Gonyosoma oxycephala - Malaysian locale (green)

1.2 Gonyosoma oxycephala - Java local (green)

2.2 Gonyosoma janseni - Seleyar locale (all black)

1.2 Gonyosoma janseni - Celebes locale (Black & Tan)

It will have several (atleast 4) layers of polyurathane to seal the cage. Any suggestions on what type. I heard some off gas alot. Again thaks for the idea.
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Thanks and Take Care
Thomas Jones

If you know anyone who works in the flooring industry I would beg them for a small amount of Bonakemi Traffic, a two-part catalyzed urethane. For that matter, any 2k waterborne urethane, although Traffic is by far the most common. The other common one is Basic Coatings Street Shoe XL.

But knowing that you will be unlikely to get these in small amounts, I would recommend Varathane Diamond Floor Finish. Or if your cage is all 3/4" plywood, then their Diamond Polyurethane. Both are very similar, but the floor finish is a bit more scratch resistant and less moisture resistant, but does well over materials that will flex. The plain urethane is more moisture resistant but needs to be applied over stable surfaces.

Honestly, though, for a boa I would try to get the entire floor covered in plastic. The the waterborne polyurethane for the walls.
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Current snakes:

0.0.1 Gonyosoma oxycephala - Java locale (green)

0.2 Gonyosoma oxycephala - Malaysian locale (green)

1.2 Gonyosoma oxycephala - Java local (green)

2.2 Gonyosoma janseni - Seleyar locale (all black)

1.2 Gonyosoma janseni - Celebes locale (Black & Tan)

What do you think about using dry erase board insted of the plastic?
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Thanks and Take Care
Thomas Jones

It's not as durable nor does it conduct heat as well, but it is a heck of a lot cheaper. I don't think you'd be making a huge mistake by using it although I might be inclined to install it in a way that allows it to be replaced. Just lay it in flat and silicone the edges. Do not glue it to the surface of the floor.
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Current snakes:

0.0.1 Gonyosoma oxycephala - Java locale (green)

0.2 Gonyosoma oxycephala - Malaysian locale (green)

1.2 Gonyosoma oxycephala - Java local (green)

2.2 Gonyosoma janseni - Seleyar locale (all black)

1.2 Gonyosoma janseni - Celebes locale (Black & Tan)

I've read the thread here. First, Chris is correct about using a plastic bottom for a boa: you will be very happy you did in the long run. It is the most inert material and easiest to cut to size IMO, even by hand with a straight-edge and sharp blade.

My opinion with boas is that you need to be able to heat a large area because they are massive snakes compared to a slender colubrid for example. I personally think overhead heating is the way to go, whether it be a red heat bulb, ceramic heat bulb or radiant heat panel.

One good method is to have 2 sockets in the cage, one on each side - one with a low wattage bulb and another with a higher-wattage bulb. You can get really good control this way.

If you want a section of the floor heated with Flexwatt, you can do that too.

Good luck!
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Mark

Two panels of 11" flexwatt will work well. Giving a 11" x 24" area. Due to the size of the cage the room has to be relatively warm. About 72 degrees. If you can not accomodate this with your house heating you can get a small room heater. Or use heat panels in the cage.

Boas NEED belly heat, so do not just use overhead heating. You can use this method to raise ambient temperatures though.
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http://www.GilbertBoas.com/

Thanks to everyone that replied. Due to the fact That I have eggs incubating,work,rats to care for and other things going on. Not alot of time to build cages.I decided to order plastic cages.I just ordered a pair of 4 footers from Herp Enclosures.Here is a link...

http://www.herpenclosures.com/cages.html

I saw the ad for these and ws really impressed. They should be in shortly.Thanks again for everyones help.
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Thanks and Take Care
Thomas Jones