Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi there,
I have two boaphile 421d's stacked on top of one another. They're on one of the boaphile pedestals as well.
The top cage stays excellently warm, while the bottom cage stays just a few degrees below optimum, which makes sense considering there is cold plastic below and heat flows upwards.

Both cages are equipped with radiant heat panels, installed at boaphile. They work beautifully.

My question is, I'd like just a small, small bit of supplemental heat for the cold side of the bottom cage only. Would a normal UTH work for this cage, considering its thinness? I've never messed with heat tape before, but is that my only legitimate option? I hate to have to do that considering the small, small area and small, small degree increase I'm looking for.

What should I use, and how should I go about installing it without wrecking the cage?

A piece of 11-inch-wide Flexwatt would do you well for that lower cage. You may order a piece (either 1 ft long or 2 ft long depending on the need/application) prewired to save you headaches. Look in the classifieds under Heating. There are a few outfits there that offer pre-wired pieces cut to size.

Is there any kind of gap between the pedestal and lower cage? If so, you can slip the Flexwatt under the cage, and in that case perhaps a 1ft long piece may suffice (again, depends on how big the cool side is).

Otherwise, you can tape the Flexwatt to the outside rear wall of the cage to help heat the inside. In that case, you may want a 2ft long piece.

Use a lamp dimmer or controller to vary the heat. Hope this helps.
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Mark

That's quite helpful, thank you!