Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Ive about got my 6 ft cages done for my new snakes. I was curious if i should do 3 ft of heat tape under 1 half of the cage, or just 2 ft on 1 side? Also, should i use rails under the cages(they will be sitting ontop of each other) to keep weight off the heat tape or does it matter with that stuff? They are melamine cages aswell. Just curious, thanks a ton
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"Stupider.....like a FOX!!" -Homer Simpson

How much of the floor heated do you need? Are these cages for tropical boas/pythons? What is the air temp in the room? Are you going to have heat panels or bulbs in the cages too?

The more air you heat, the less floor area you need heated, and vice-versa. I've found that in melamine cages, heating via a bulb or heat panel works very well because melamine insulates well. Then you don't have to mess with heat tape except possibly under the bottom cage. Prop that cage up on wood strips and tape the heat tape to the underside (use aluminum tape or staples if you're careful not to go through any of the black conductor.)

Yeah, i forgot to mention they are for tropical snakes. The temps in my house are around 76 all the time. But I didn't want there to be too much of a hot side, and not enough cool side.

>>How much of the floor heated do you need? Are these cages for tropical boas/pythons? What is the air temp in the room? Are you going to have heat panels or bulbs in the cages too?
>>
>>The more air you heat, the less floor area you need heated, and vice-versa. I've found that in melamine cages, heating via a bulb or heat panel works very well because melamine insulates well. Then you don't have to mess with heat tape except possibly under the bottom cage. Prop that cage up on wood strips and tape the heat tape to the underside (use aluminum tape or staples if you're careful not to go through any of the black conductor.)
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"Stupider.....like a FOX!!" -Homer Simpson