Q:I'm confused about the holes you make so the flexwatt can breathe. Is this for the bottom of the cage?
A:Yes
I have run test on doing incage heat with flexwatt esp 11" since I use that in my cages. Now keep in mind i always run it FULL BORE when testing to check the maximum heating the flex will put out and make sure there isnt any issues with the flex im using as just becuase its a roll of new doesnt mean it cant be a bad section in it stuff happens. I have seen the 11" flex get upto and over 145 degrees when sandwiched inbetween two surfaces and restricted from air circulation to it. it will build up heat i like to compare it to a pressure cooker with the valve shut as it builds up heat it could be IMHO a potential risk if it doesnt have the proper airflow to it .
I have painted plywood for the bottom of the smaller cage. What I was thinking is puting 2 11" panels on a dimmer and thermostat on the bottom and keeping it around 84 degrees. The basking daytime lamp will boost temps to around 90 in the day. Is that OK for my balls?
A: what size is the "smaller cage"?
one thing to keep in mind is heat build up in the cage also this wont adversely affect the flexwatt but could the snake , i would make sure to monitor the tmeps when both heat sources are running at what you think will be your "normal" setup you might want to look at having the flexx set up on a timer to come one in the " off time" of the lighting. I like to reccomend this when i combine belly heat and the lights i use in the cage as the lights give off a nice warm basking spot. this prevent the cage from becoming to hot with the flex and lights on at the same time .
I still can't find PVCX so what to cover it with is killing me.
A: FRP panel will work it can be found at any home improvement store , its 1/8" thick and has a dimpled side and a smooth side i would say usethe smooth side to make cleaning easy on you.
Tell me if this would work. Cut a hole in the bottom of the cage that is 1 inch all around larger than the flexwatt. Use the same piece that I cut out and drill several holes in it (to ventilate the flexwatt), then mount the flexwatt to the top of it. Using a few small pieces of wood which will attach to the bottom of the cage outside of the area I cut out, install them so they can turn. Re-insert the cut out piece with the flexwatt mounted to it, then turn the small pieces of wood under the floor to hold the cutout in place. Then cover the entire floor with linoleum and seal the edges for water proof. If there are any problems with the flexwatt I can simply turn the tabs underneath and drop it down for maintenance.
Please advise, I really want to use this stuff.
A:
that would work in theory ... here is another option if you have access to a router ? take a jigsaw and cut the bottom of the cage out where you want the flex to go . then take the router and get a 1/2" rabbit bit . With this from the UNDER side of the cage run the rabbiting bit around the cut out tou made , set it so it cuts about 1/2 the thickness of you wood. then you can buy like a pc of pegboard in like a 2x4 pc cut it to fit this opening you have created, make sure when you do this to fit it so the pegboard fits in snuggly then use some screen retainers ( the lil platic clips some ppl use to keep doors shut on cages install them so they can be turned to release the panel from the cage if ever you have a issue on the flexwatt this will serve the same purpose you are speaking of doing but also creat airflow to the flexwat. now you could just let the flex set on this panel and then if you need to adjust the airflo that can be done easy by just taking some foil tape and placing on the pegboard to close off airholes as needed to adjust the heat retention .
I will plug in a 1' section of flex and lay it inbetween two surfaces and then try to get a pic of the actual surface temp with my raytek to show what the flex can heat to when enclosed w/ no airflow to it .
DISCLAIMER:
In no way am I downing or saying how others install incage heat is wrong or a fire hazard when not allowing airflow to the flexwatt. im simply saying this is how i do it and i sleep at night doing it this way lol
let me know if you need any other help
good luck
Alan
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