Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Here is my thought and would like to know what everyone else thinks about it.

I recently aquried/rescued a boa and she is in a plexi glass tank. 48LX18WX24H.

Here is my idea. Lay it on its side so it becomes 48LX24WX18H. Build a door for it out of plexi glass, put hinges on the bottom of it and locks on the top of the door. Either create enough of a gap around the door to accomodate for airflow (like some of the custom cage builders do) or put a few vents on the sides.

Anyone ever tried this with success?
Any danger in useing a UTH with plexi glass? I am not sure of the thickness of the tank but it is pretty heavy and thick. Hell it might not even be plexi glass now that i think of it. I will try and get some pics of it and post them tomorrow.

Let me know what you think?

Here is a pic of her, I posted a short read about her in the boa forum.

Thanks,
Mike
-----
Mike & Wendy

1.0.0 Siberian Husky
0.1.1 Boa C.
0.0.1 Ball Python
1.1.0 Leopard Gecko
1.0.0 Beardie
3.1.0 Future Herper's

If it is acrylic, then you can do what you said.

UTH on acrylic, well, that tank is probably thick, so maybe OK. Remember with acrylic, a temperature differential between the heated acrylic and the cold acrylic surrounding it can cause warping, mainly in thinner material. IMO, overhead heat works well in an acrylic cage and avoids the possible warp issue.

Another idea is to make a custom top out of wood, and use red heat bulbs, CHE's or a radient heat panel and heat from above. You could even put in a shelf to increase the floor area of the cage, even if it just 12 inches off the cage floor.

Good luck with which ever you do.
-----
Mark

When useing a CHE or a lamp I would obviously have to cut out a hole in top for one of these methods correct?
The only way I can keep ambient temps up is by useing one of these methods, it just kills me the thought of cutting a big hole in the top!

M
-----
Mike & Wendy

1.0.0 Siberian Husky
0.1.1 Boa C.
0.0.1 Ball Python
1.1.0 Leopard Gecko
1.0.0 Beardie
3.1.0 Future Herper's

I understand your concern, which is why I wouldn't put the cage on its side.

Boa constricors need ambient air temps at least 75 deg F (then you can use a UTH for basking.) However, I have found it easier for large boas just to use overhead heat, period.
-----
Mark

Thanks

M
-----
Mike & Wendy

1.0.0 Siberian Husky
0.1.1 Boa C.
0.0.1 Ball Python
1.1.0 Leopard Gecko
1.0.0 Beardie
3.1.0 Future Herper's