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I am building a large cage for my Tegu. Cage will be kept in my basement where winter temps dip into the 60's. I want to add heat tape under his burrow area to raise the temps. (He is new to me and a yearling and I do not plan to hibernate this year.)

I am using tile board for the interior surfaces.
Can Flexwatt be mounted to the underside of Tile Board?
Will it transmit enough heat?
Can Flexwatt be sandwiched between the Tile Board and peg board?
Will this allow enough ventilation?
Thanks
Shari

>>I am building a large cage for my Tegu. Cage will be kept in my basement where winter temps dip into the 60's. I want to add heat tape under his burrow area to raise the temps. (He is new to me and a yearling and I do not plan to hibernate this year.)

What is your primary heat source?

>>I am using tile board for the interior surfaces.
>>Can Flexwatt be mounted to the underside of Tile Board?

By tile board to you mean that 1/8" stuff that has a fake-tile surface and a hardboard backer?

>>Will it transmit enough heat?

Assuming I'm correct about what you're using, it will heat up although it's hardly my prefered approach. FRP would be better, especially since this is for a Tegu.

>>Can Flexwatt be sandwiched between the Tile Board and peg board?

We need more info about the cage.
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Current snakes:

1.1 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Silver/Yellow)

2.2 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Green)

4.3 Gonyosoma janseni - (Black)

>>What is your primary heat source?

Primary heat source is Mercury Vapor Bulb for UVB and a Ceramic Heat Emitter on all the time.

>>By tile board to you mean that 1/8" stuff that has a fake-tile surface and a hardboard backer?

Similar, it is 1/8" but has a smooth white surface. Sometimes used as white board/dry erase board.

>>Assuming I'm correct about what you're using, it will heat up although it's hardly my prefered approach. FRP would be better, especially since this is for a Tegu.

What is FRP?

>Can Flexwatt be sandwiched between the Tile Board and peg board?

>>We need more info about the cage.
What specifically do you need to know?

>>What is FRP?

Sorry about that. I always try to define my acronyms at least once

FRP is Fiberglass Reinforced Panel. It is the hard, bumpy plastic you often see lining bathroom walls in restaurants, etc.

I highly recommend this over tile board. Much more durable and it transmits heat better. It is more expensive, however.

>>What specifically do you need to know (about the cage)?

What is the design of the cage, specifically the floor? Is there a solid floor of some sort? Like 3/4" plywood or something?
-----
Current snakes:

1.1 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Silver/Yellow)

2.2 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Green)

4.3 Gonyosoma janseni - (Black)

Cage floor would be 1/2" plywood with Tile Board laminated to it.
Where the heat tape would be, I would cut out the plywood and replace with peg board.
The sides are tile board on a wooden frame.

I am considering making the cage two levels. Lower level will be the burrowing area, approx 12" deep. Upper level would be basking area and possible soaking tub. (If I can sufficiently plumb it)

Thanks Chris