Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am going to be building a new home for my bp. Size is going to be 40x18x18. Building it out of 5/8 plywood with a plexi front viewing door. Room temp is about 68-70 with humidity about 20% or so. Right now he is in a glass starter package from petco. Seems to like the set up. Warm side at about 82 cool side about 75 with an uth under his hide out. So the question is....

What should I use for heating the enclosure? I'm building it to display him so I'm trying to get away from the dome ceramic heaters. Also will flexwatt on a thermostat heat through the 5/8 plywood for belly heat? Sorry for the rambling.
Thanks

I don't think you ever want to try to heat through wood???
You mentiond display, but BP's need hides. Also, with that low humidity you might consider keeping a small plastic container in the cage as a humidity chamber. Have a hole on each side, and keep moist New Zealand sphagnum moss in it. I strongly believe in this. Sure helps minimize dry sheds--depending on where you live. Jim

I really like radiant heat panels for my enclosures. They provide very even, gentle heat without being a danger for my snakes. You can fasten them right to the inside ceiling of the enclosure with a couple screws. Plug them into a thermostat control and you're all set. They keep my enclosures at about 83° on the warm side without fluctuating.

They are expensive, however, but they work great! And, even though it isn't belly heat, my snakes have no problems with digestion.

Good luck building your new enclosure!

I just meant I want him in a nice enclosure. There will be a nice hide out for him for when he needs to get away and relax.

I have flexwatt heating 1/2" plywood so I don't think a 1/8 will do a big difference.

The only thing is that wood is enough good to absorb energy that it might take some time to heat up or cool down. But once it's setup, you should be fine I think.
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love this world, don't hate it.

thanks. maybe ill just do 1/2" then. do you need any other form of heat or is it enough to heat the whole enclosure?