Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm getting ready to convert a 4 shelf bookshelf with glass doors into habitats for four snakes... one will probably be for a children's python & one for a corn...haven't decided on the others.

The shelf is a Target special. I'm planning on installing screen vents, flexwatt tape (below the floor/on the ceiling of the enclosure below) & probably will use florescent lighting for diurnals. Obviously I'll have to work to make sure everything is sealed up but that looks pretty straight forward.

I just have a few questions someone may be able to help with:
* Is there anything I should be concerned about?
* Do you think I should cover the existing finish with polyurothane or something to eliminate fumes which may be present in the original finish?
* Will the flex-watt work through the floor?
* Will two 4" vents (one on each side of an enclosure) be enough to allow adequate ventilation?

Thanks!

-----
(¯`·.¸¸.·´ Kane `·.¸¸.·´¯)

Seeing as though knowone has replyed to your questions I figured I would help out. If you still have those questions Email me.
Jeremy
pvjester@hotmail.com

Here are some thoughts:

I've looked at those shelf systems over the years with the same idea that you have now. MOST of them don't really look "Escape Proof"--So, I would look it over very closely-->Especially the gaps at the tops of the doors when they are closed.
Consider what you intend to keep in each cage and the possiblity of escape. I have see a few that were well made for you purpose, so just look it over closely before you buy.

I have used setups similar to what you are intending, and I used Heating pads--in one back corner of each cage---controlled by a rheostat. I don't think Heatpads, flexwatt, etc is going to work very well UNDER eack cage floor. Additionally, in order to do that you will in effect be SUSPENDING to the top of the cage below---Good luck getting each one to stay. Just put them in each cage and control the temps/output with preferably a proportional controller, or at least a rheostat.

Best of luck!

What are the dimensions of each "cage"? I'm thinking of doing something similar.
-----
0.1 Hog Island Boa Isaboa
1.3.0 leos, Yoda, Geo, Tang, Ginger
1.0 Blue Tongue Skink Indigo (Indy)
0.1.1 frogs Buffy the Cricket Slayer, Butrose Butrose Froggy
1.1.4 firebelly newts Wayne Newton, Isaac Newton, Fig Newton, Juice Newton, Olivia Newton John & Helmut Newton
1.1.0 cats Gus & Mena

Hi buffysmom,

Not sure if your question was for me. When I used that setup the cages (6) were approx. 36lx14wx14h. It was a set of homemade shelves that I bought and modified to add the doors to.

The shelf-types that they are referring to come in somewhat varying sizes and number of shelves.

HTH

n/p
-----
0.1 Hog Island Boa Isaboa
1.3.0 leos, Yoda, Geo, Tang, Ginger
1.0 Blue Tongue Skink Indigo (Indy)
0.1.1 frogs Buffy the Cricket Slayer, Butrose Butrose Froggy
1.1.4 firebelly newts Wayne Newton, Isaac Newton, Fig Newton, Juice Newton, Olivia Newton John & Helmut Newton
1.1.0 cats Gus & Mena