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I have a 20 gallon short (12" tall) aquarium I use for a gopher snake. Where it is kept is like the arctic enclosure at the local zoo, the cage doesn't get above 75 at high noon with the human heating pad below and UV light above (60 watt, not much heat, just light). I was thinking some insulation on the top except where light is and cut huge hole in it around that, it would serve to let air move in and out. My girlfriend thinks we should fit a glass panel to the top with holes drilled in it, it would have a greenhouse effect in heating and also be humid, but I don't know about the price and stuff. Anybody reccomend anything?

P.S. Snake right now is small gopher , but if we get desired heat of 80-85 day and 70-75 night then we can invest in a red tailed boa she wants and move the gopher to my smaller tank.

If you cant get the temps up to 85 degrees with a 60 watt bulb something is wrong. I would buy a 100 watt CHE and a thermostat. Then cover the top that is not being used with a shirt.
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0.1 "Tremper" looking Albino Leopard gecko (Lex)
0.0.1 tiger crested gecko (peachs)
1.1 Feral cats that we adopted (Fuzzy, and Bear)

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The house is just so darn cool. In summer outside could be over 100 and inside will be 60-70 degrees.

I'm guessing CHE is one of those ceramic heat bulbs. I'll look into that. And up top theres a commercial for a infrared thermometer gun for $25, sounds like a good price. The shirt over cage is a cheap way to go, but I don't need to go that cheap, thats why I was thinking of getting insulation of the size of the top (minus where light or ceramic heat sits), and have it sit on the cage, not attached or anything.

THe shirt does a LOT. I have one on my leo tank and it ups the temp like 10-20 degrees. You will need a thermostat with the CHE because it will get really hot. If you dont want the shirt you can use some styrofoam/polystyrene on the top and back.
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0.1 "Tremper" looking Albino Leopard gecko (Lex)
0.0.1 tiger crested gecko (peachs)
1.1 Feral cats that we adopted (Fuzzy, and Bear)

My image Gallery

Is the shirt a cotton material or more of a polyester? My girl can sew very well (their whole family really), I could have her make a sock or custom fitting cover to lay over or even fit on the cage cover. Thats cool you mentioned this, it's gonna save money (insead of spending at home depot on insulation).

Thank you.

its 100% cotton. That would be cool, a little sock to cover the cage.
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0.1 "Tremper" looking Albino Leopard gecko (Lex)
0.0.1 tiger crested gecko (peachs)
1.1 Feral cats that we adopted (Fuzzy, and Bear)

My image Gallery