Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I hear alot of people who build wooden cages and put their heat tape inside the cage and sealing it..My question is how do you seal it. And if not how would you heat a home made wooden cage that is 6x2x2. My temps in the room usually dont drop below 77 because of a space heater. But i want to be able to keep the interior temps at least 80 on the cool side of the cage.
Thank you
any help is greatly appreciated
Charles

And if not how would you heat a home made wooden cage that is 6x2x2.

For most species I would use a radiant heat panel.

If I already had flexwatt or other heat tape I would use it to make a DIY radiant heat panel, but I won't discuss that here.

If I felt I need "belly heat" I would cut a square out of the bottom of the cage that was about 2" wider and longer than the size of heat tape needed. I would keep this cutout away from cage walls as to maintain the structure of the cage.

I would cover the entire floor with 1/4" expanded PVC which would make the floor more durable and easier to clean. Foil tape to attach the heat source to the bottom of the PVC. Shallow grooves could be routed in the floor for the cords to run through.

A PVC floor does add cost but I feel it's a worthwhile cost.
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Currently keeping:

6.10 Gonyosoma oxycephalum (Javan, mixed colors)

1.1 Philodryas baroni

1.1 Lampropeltis triangulum multistriata

1.0 Rhodesian Ridgeback

My advice is to not do that.

I agree with Chris that a radiant heat panel is the solution. They are safe, easy to install, easy to control and do not require some extra work of sealing the heater from urates and water.

If you really want belly heat, consider a Kane or Stanfield heat mat for a cage that size. These heat mats are already sealed against moisture and even sharp claws if the inhabitant is a big lizard.
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Mark