Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've got a 3'x2'x1' cage and I can't get the air temperature up. It's a plastic cage from cheapcages.com. I have an 11"x17" heat mat under one side which is set at 85 degrees. But the air temperature in the cage will only get as high as 72 degrees. Is there any way I can raise the overall air temperature in the cage?

>>I've got a 3'x2'x1' cage and I can't get the air temperature up. It's a plastic cage from cheapcages.com. I have an 11"x17" heat mat under one side which is set at 85 degrees. But the air temperature in the cage will only get as high as 72 degrees. Is there any way I can raise the overall air temperature in the cage?

Raise your mat temp to 90 degrees and cut down on the vent size and number. Insulate the back and sides with foam or reflectix. You need more heat, less vent, and insulation.

-----
"Colubrid-aphilia", adj; An inordinate love of Colubrids.

1.1 Tangerine Albino Hondurans
1.1 Tri-Color Hypos (Thanx Amro)
0.1 Het Hypo
1.1 Mike Falcon Anerys

What type of substrate are you using?

Thermal mass is the key to temps. By increasing the thermal mass you increase the ability of the enclosure to maintain a higher temperature.

Insulating the cage is also a way to better control the temps.

What sort of cage decor do you use? Are there any vents? A light source?
-----
"I am become death, the destroyer of worlds" July 16, 1945 Robert Oppenheimer

1.1 Hypomelenistic Red Tailed Boas
2.0 Double Het Stripe Albino Red Tailed Boas
0.1 Suriname Red Tailed Boa
0.1 Anerthrystic Red Tailed Boa
1.0 Ball Python
1.1 Rhinoceros Iguana's
1.0 Green Iguana
1.1 Cream Golden Retrieviers
0.3 Catus Terribilis
0.1 Spouse

-----
"Colubrid-aphilia", adj; An inordinate love of Colubrids.

1.1 Tangerine Albino Hondurans
1.1 Tri-Color Hypos (Thanx Amro)
0.1 Het Hypo
1.1 Mike Falcon Anerys

Thanks for the quick responses. Right now I have no substrate. I was just setting the tank up and getting it ready. I guess I should put a thick layer of substrate in and maybe some insulation around the sides and see what happens.
The cage doesn't really have any vents right now. Just whatever cracks are around the door. It makes sense that I need some stuff in the cage that will hold the heat in.

Just like I tell people in fish tanks you should have the enclosure fully set up before you trouble shoot. Then at least we have eliminated every thing.

Put some reflectix under the tank add your decor then we will have a better idea.

By the way what is this for?
-----
"I am become death, the destroyer of worlds" July 16, 1945 Robert Oppenheimer

1.1 Hypomelenistic Red Tailed Boas
2.0 Double Het Stripe Albino Red Tailed Boas
0.1 Suriname Red Tailed Boa
0.1 Anerthrystic Red Tailed Boa
1.0 Ball Python
1.1 Rhinoceros Iguana's
1.0 Green Iguana
1.1 Cream Golden Retrieviers
0.3 Catus Terribilis
0.1 Spouse

I'll assume this is for a boa????

If the room is low 70s, simply put styrene foam or Reflectix insulation on the outside of the cage - back, bottom if possible (cut a space for the heat pad) and sides if needed. You will be amazed at the difference.

And if that doesn't cut it, a low wattage bulb in a celing-mounted fixture will help. I use a 15 Watt bulb in a Vision that is 28" x 24" x 12" high and the room is 60-70 degrees throughout Winter.

I don't know what the cage will be for yet. A lot of snakes need ambient air over 70 degrees so I just wanted make sure I can provide that before I choose a snake. Maybe a spotted python or a rainbow boa.

Where do you get Reflectix?

I wondered about adding a light bulb to the cage interior, but isn't it incredibly hot close to the bulb? Wouldn't a snake climb on the reflector and get burned? I've seen bulbs with mesh cages around them but it still seems like it would be hot.

Thanks for the replies.

I buy Reflectix by the roll at either Lowes or Menards. But I have also seen it sold by the foot at ACE Hardware, although I'm not sure the stuff they sell is Reflectix or a similar product. It should not matter a whole lot, use what you can find.

You don't need to worry about a bulb getting too hot if it is surrounded by a mesh cage.

If you don't mind spending a bit more you could go with a Radiant Heat Panel from Pro Products.

If you go with a Rainbow Boa you don't need to worry as much about a cool room as they don't need extremely warm ambient temperatures.

Low-wattage bulbs < 25 watts do not burn skin. As you get above 25 watts, you may want a bulb cage. A heat pad plus a low-wattage bulb plus insulation does alot for your cage in a cold room. Make sure you use thermostats or controllers.

Hi -

What is the range of ambient temperatures in the room where the cage is kept?
How are you controlling the output of the heat pad?
How hot will your heat source get unregulated?
Is that 85 degrees measured where an animal would be directly on top of it?
What are you keeping in the cage?
Do you like big draft horses, or just Budweiser?

-Joan

>>I've got a 3'x2'x1' cage and I can't get the air temperature up. It's a plastic cage from cheapcages.com. I have an 11"x17" heat mat under one side which is set at 85 degrees. But the air temperature in the cage will only get as high as 72 degrees. Is there any way I can raise the overall air temperature in the cage?

What is the range of ambient temperatures in the room where the cage is kept?
Anywhere from 68 in winter to 85 in summer.

How are you controlling the output of the heat pad?
Big Apple Herp proportional thermostat.

How hot will your heat source get unregulated?
100 degrees.

Is that 85 degrees measured where an animal would be directly on top of it?
Yes.
What are you keeping in the cage?
Don't know yet. Hopefully a small python or boa of some sort. I just want the option to keep something that enjoys ambient temps higher than the low 70s.

Do you like big draft horses, or just Budweiser?
Actually it's just the first word that popped into my head when I was signing up. I wasn't thinking about Budweiser. There are different classes of racers in cross country mountain bike racing. First timer, beginner, sport, expert, elite, pro, and clydesdale. Clydesdales are the big or fat guys. They have to have their own category because cross country racing is better suited toward lightweights.