Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just wanted to see if this little plan would work. I will build it for my albino male burm. 84"w X 30"t X 35"d.
That should be plenty room shuldn't it? I will have 2 doors on the front that swing open. a few vents on the side for ventilation. The only thing I have found a problem with is that I would like to use a light on one end. Do you think 30" is to small of a distance from snake to light. The watt of light bulb will depend on the weather and surface temp. after heated up.I plan on making it stackable for another oneto fit under it. That is right, under it. I plan to get a female albino and of courxe the cage will be bigger so it needs to be on bottom. How do you pros keep them warm. Would the light work. It just worries me because I don't want the snake to sit to close to the light. Sorry this is so long.
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Justin

Your plan sounds fine, except that I wouldnt go nearly that Tall. If you make it about 18-24 inches max, you will have better luck controlling heat and humidity.

For heating, I prefer heating under the tank. You can use a pre fab heat mat or flexwatt. im pretty sure they use less power, and you dont have to worry about the snake gettin into them.

If you want to do a light, I would screen it off, so they cant touch the bulb. but it does sound plenty big enough.
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1.0 Albino Green Burm
0.2 Normal Burm
1.1 Java Retic

I forgot to mention that I was going to use masine nite wood. (I have never seen this spelled before). about 3/4" thick. Comes in sheets like ply wood. How should I install a heat mat/pad. Do you think the heat will go thru it, being that thick.Reason why I am going to use this wood is, it is cheaper in my area, and it seems to do better than pllywood. Seems like it lasts forever, and it is tough.
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Justin

The wood you are using is fine. I wouldn't change that. I agree with the previous poster about the height of the cage. At that height you are going to have a hard time with the heat and humidity. Also, as your collection grows you are going to have a limited amount of space and will only be able to stack them 2 maybe 3 high at that high. If you keep the height at 18-24 inches then you can easily go 4 high. Something to consider for the big picture. I would recommend a radiant heat panel. There are many different types but they are work the same way. You affix them to the inside of the cage either on the wall or on the ceiling. When attached to thermostat they will control the temps well. Or I would use a heat mat like a Kane heat mat. They come in many sizes and are completely waterproof. You can put them directly in the cage. As far as lighting I would recommend using flourescent lighting rather incandescent. Incandescent lighting gives off heat which can mess up the desired heat of the cage when you are using another source such as the heat mat or heat panel. Also the main reason I would shy away from using a heat bulb is that when you turn off the lights at night (to maintain a proper day/night cycle) you lose your primary heat source. Hope this helps a little. todd

I am goign to go with 22" tall. I will use a heat pad or panel or something of that sort. Only prob. with this wood is that it is heavy. But when I put it somehwere it is going to stay(hopefully).
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Justin

Hi...

The cage is plenty big but you are wasting allot of material with those dims. You want to be able to use as much of the sheet as possible. Since most sheets are 48 x 96 or 50 x 100 you want your cuts to divied equally. Let me know how it turns out.