Reptile & Amphibian Forums

IF so how would include belly heat? I am thinking of doing a 24x24x12 enclosure out of MDF and would like to supply belly heat instead of radiant heat panels. Any suggestions, if so any links for some kind of direction...

Thanks,

Steve

I used to. I just don't have time anymore. What I did was to use a router or radial-arm saw with a dado blade and cut 1/8" channel for the heat tape.
-----
Jay A. Martin
Jay Martin Reptiles

I use a router to plow a groove 3/8' deep and staple the flex watt to the bottom, that way the heat doesn't have too much material to go through.

I wouldn't use MDF, if it gets wet it will swell and it will be difficult to clean. We use melamine and caulk the inside with non silicone caulk (silicone takes 30 days to cure)so they don't leak.

If you go to a hardwood lumber dealer you can get melamine in several different colors. Here is a pic of some of our burm cages. The top two are grey melamine and the bottom two are maple melamine.

Hope this helps.

Randy

-----
Randy and Michelle
Art In Scales
(719) 439-4199
info@artinscales.com

Hey Randy,

So you use a router to cut a space on the outside of the bottom piece, and staple the Flexwatt on the outside in that space?

Yes, that way the snakes don't come in contact with the flex watt and there is no hole in the cage for the cord. It works great.

I forgot to mention that I attach 3"x3"x3/4" blocks on the bottom of the cage to act as feet. This creates an air space between the cages or the floor. I also staple reflexit to the bottom to keep the heat from escaping out the bottom.

Randy
-----
Randy and Michelle
Art In Scales
(719) 439-4199
info@artinscales.com

Randy, Thanks for the info...that reflexit stuff, what is that?...I tried doing a search on it got some reflective material you use for
reflecting light..Can you get it at Home depot?...Lowes?

Let me know please

Thanks,

Steve

It's basically bubble wrap with a layer of aluminum on either side. You can get it at Home Depot. It comes either 2ft or 4ft wide. We put the 4ft stuff in our attic this year and it really helped keep the snake rooms cooler. Air conditioning in Colorado is a luxury. LOL

Let me know if you have anymore questions.
-----
Randy and Michelle
Art In Scales
(719) 439-4199
info@artinscales.com

I just realized I spelled it wrong. It's reflectix.

Here is their website www.reflectixinc.com
-----
Randy and Michelle
Art In Scales
(719) 439-4199
info@artinscales.com