Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello,

I am moving my baby balls from a 20 gal breeder tank that was split down the middle by a divider, to a larger 4x1x2 cage that will be split down the middle as well. I have used a zoo med heat pad in the smaller cage with a light dimmer and thermometer to get the hot spots at the appropriate temperature in the past, but was looking into Reptile Basics heating tape for the new enclosure.

Since the new enclosure will be divided in the horizontally in the middle, I was thinking of putting the heat tape in the middle and allowing the opposing ends of the cage to be the cool ends. Do you think 2 feet of 3" or 4" heat tape, cut in half and placed side by side in the middle of the tank would do? ( I tried to make a diagram below of the heat tape in the middle of the enclosure)

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How would I secure this to the bottom of a glass terrarium? Would the wire/clip/insulater set (http://www.reptilebasics.com/Wire-Clip-Insulator-set-p-16149.html) from Reptile Basics work for this? Also, I want to buy 2-4 hides from them as well. Which size would you recommend for ball pythons that are about 25 inches long and about 5 months old.

One last questions, the new terrarium I am moving them to does not have a screen/mesh top. I am going to the hardware store on my corner where they can cut me some screen and I believe put wood along the sides like a frame.. But, do you have or know of link where there are plans online to make a secure snake proof screen top for my terrarium? Any ideas other than throwing a heave book on top

Thanks for all your help in advance,

jen

p.s I also have a large zoo med heat pad that can be used in stead of the heat tape, but I am not so happy with the quality of these products. Does anyone have any words of praise for zoo med heat pads?

If you go with heat tape, you will need a different type of tape to make it stick to the cage (heat tape doesn't stick) most venders sell aluminum tape. Personally I was recommended to use painters tape (can get super cheep) and it has work find for me. Running one strip down the middle should produce enough heat for both sides now, since your balls are babies however in about a year you would most likely want to run a strip on each side just to give them a larger hot spot (I would recommend just putting in two to start). If you want hides your snakes would most likely fit the small but I would recommend going bigger and just taking some news paper or paper towels to make them feel like their hide is more secure and then as they grow you can just quite putting in the paper and then you don't have to keep buying more hides.

Personally I have used Zoo Med in a very large cage and was not impressed with the temp variances but from what I know about electricity I would say your best bet cost wise is use the zoo med pad because it will already stick to the cage; however get ride of the dimmer and get a thermostat on it. Thermostats are much better then dimmers on any heating element if you ask me.

As far as the screen top be careful to get really small screen so they don't get cough in it and since it sounds like you have a custom cage you will have to learn as you go as to how they can escape. Just make sure the frame is solid because as they grow they will test it.

Matt

I reccomend you take a look at Ultratherm Heat Pads for both there quality and there ease of use(no wiring).Available at ReptileBasics or Bean Farm.

To attach it use Aluminum Tape available at you local hardware store, lowes/homedepot or again Reptile Basics.

Unless you are from a part of the country where you have excess humidity I would use plexi/lexan in place of the screen. You can then drill holes on the cool side (the ends in your case) to allow some ventilation.

Hope this helps with your project.
Thanks
Anthony

Really, plexi? wow... I never thought of that. My girlfriend works at a frame shop, and can cut me custom size plexi glass at the frame shop. If I do go with the plexi (even though I already bought the screen) what about warming up the ambient air temp? Run a heating element on the side of the glass?

Also, does anyone know if I can drill a hole in a glass with a regula at home drill. The than I have is huge and I would like to drill a hole in the bottom for cleaning purpose (to allow the water to drain out when Im cleaning). Or, will drilling a home crack the entire glass?