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Heating a DIY melamine enclosure

T

tmartois

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I am going to build a few melamine enclosures for my sons snakes. Ball python and milk snakes. 24" x 18"x 18". what is the best way to heat them? I have been reading on here about RHP or heat tape. How does the heat tape/flex tape work? Does it go on the inside of tank or outside? The local reptile stores all say that UTH will work as well and will transmit throught the wood. I want to use what is the best and will be the most efficient. His plan would be to have about 20 enclosures in his room.
 
I honestly don't think flexwatt will help you too much. The heat would come through the wood but you might have to run the heat tape on max, which I wouldn't really recommend. They say not to put the heat tape inside the enclosure and not to let the snake come into contact with it. I've been throwing around the idea of mounting it on the side or back wall and bordering it with aluminum tape but something is still telling me it's not a good idea.

I'm in the same situation and I think I'm going to go with the RHP since they've been so good to me up til now. But for one RHP, you can buy 20' of flex watt, lol.
 
I have seen heat tape put under plexiglass in melamine enclosures before. Seal around the plexi with caulking. I have had a couple cages this way before and it worked good. Now I just use plastic cages.
 
For (20) ball pythons and milk snakes, you would probably be better served using racks and tubs. I know they lack the aesthetic appeal; but there comes a point where function overcomes pretty (only you and your son can make the call if you have reached that point).
Using heat tape in a melamine rack is easy and effective.
 
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