Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Howdy,

Im making some cages for my burms, they are going to be 8 ft x 39" any way. I was planning to use some MDF for the actual enclosure.Now I was thinking about how to position the flexwatt in the cage. i was thinking about taping it to the top of the inside. Does that sound like it would work? Any Ideas?

Thanks
Nick

First off, I doubt if taping the flexwatt to the top of the cage is a good idea.
Hot air rises, and the cage floor will be cold.
Switch to sides, front, and rear of cage using 3/4 plywood instead of MDF, and use a fiberglass panel floor. Then attach the flexwatt beneath that.
This is the easiest way, unless you router out a section of floor. Or cut out an area then use FRP to install the flexwatt under.
Some other suggestions. Do you need it to be 39" deep?
Make sure you can reach the back of the cage safely when Mr Burm is in the cage.
Anything more than an arm in the cage is dangerous.
Also, for heating a large enclosure, consider using a radiant heat panel. Thats what I use for my large cages, and by the end of this year, all my cages, large and small will be outfitted with them. I cant recommend them enough.
Much pricier than flexwatt, but much more efficient, and you can use any materials you want to build with.
Just make sure you really waterproof the MDF, or you'll be building another cage a year from now.
Any other questions, you can post over in the Caging forum.

Bob

Fiberglass floors are nice if you can pull that off, but for what it's worth, all of my enclosures are either 5/8's or 3/4 inch OSB with linoleum on top and flexwatt beneath the floor. The heat transfers fine and is regulated in gradient zones. I also have radiant heat panels for basking areas. Have been working with this design for 30-years (although the materials have improved enormously). My experience has been retics migrating to warmer climes in their enclosures, while burms have been the opposite, generally enjoying the cooler options. I live in Minnesota and the snakes reside in my basement den. The temps & humidity levels have remained constant for many, many years in this configuration, regardless of ambient conditions. Those of you who know my animals can attest to their health.

I also echo the concerns about being able to reach to the back of the enclosure. If not for safety sake, at least for convenience and assuring your husbandry skills encompass all surfaces. I have enclosures that are a full 16-feet in length, but my short, frumpy self can easily reach every corner and seam I created. Wait until you try to remove a 14-pound deposit that invariably will be just out of reach. Food for thought.