>>I am thinking of building a 4x2x20" cage for my boa out of melamine. I am looking at 3/4" melamine, but am concerned about using a heat pad on the outside of the bottom like I do in his glass cage right now.

>>

>>Will the heat permeate through 3/4" melamine? Would it be safe to install the pad or some heat tape inside the cage secured to the floor? How does everyone else do it?



If you are like me and have tons of heat tape on hand and little surplus cash for RHP's then perhaps another solution may work.



Many keepers have cut out the floor of a melamine cage for the heat heat tape. Yes I mean cut a hole all the way through the product. After the floor has the hole they cover the entire floor from the inside with another material. This could be 1/8" PVC, FRP, tileboard, or I've even heard people using formica and linoleum.



The point is to use a product that heats easier than melamine.



Another option is for those using heat rope to route a groove in the melamine to lay the rope. Then cover that with the thinner product.



There are lots of options, I prefer the RHP however I have tons of heat tape on hand. So I can understand why people like to stick with in. I also have heat rope. The important thing to remember is the need of the animal and the safety of the product used. Heat tape needs to breathe!



Best of Luck
-----
Jeremy Payne

JB Reptile



1.0 Snow "Kahl"

0.2 Triple Het Moonglow "Kahl"

0.1 Orange Tail Hypo Het Leopard

1.0 Ghost

0.1 DH Ghost

1.1 "Kahl" Albino

1.0.2 Hypomelenistic

1.3 Pastel Hypo

0.1 Anerthrystic

0.0.1 Normal



0.1.1 Morelia Viridis

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