Some questions about modifications...

I'm planning on using, for the most part, the DIY viv that BlueApplePaste posted, but desired to use UTH heaters... I'm just more used to them and more comfortable with them for now. However, to keep the viv from lighting on fire or something....

1- Are UTH safe to use with plexiglass or do I need real glass?
2- I'm thinking of having a two inch gap between the floor of the top unit and the top of the second. Is this enough space for the airflow that UTH need to help prevent overheating?
3- If the idea of cutting a square out of the bottom, covering it with glass/plexiglass that has a UTH attached is viable, how do I go about attaching the glass to the bottom? What glues/caulks/whathaveyou are best to use? Or with the plexiglass, would screws and then some caulk to prevent sharp edges be sufficient?
4- How will having the upper UTH affect the heat gradient?

And is there any further problems that I haven't thought of yet that you can?

All advice, criticism, and witicisms are accepted with gratitude.

Shiari said:

3- If the idea of cutting a square out of the bottom, covering it with glass/plexiglass that has a UTH attached is viable, how do I go about attaching the glass to the bottom? What glues/caulks/whathaveyou are best to use? Or with the plexiglass, would screws and then some caulk to prevent sharp edges be sufficient?.

Click to expand...

This is why I switch from UTH to flexwatt. I was able to router out a "notch" to fit the flexwatt with out squishing it . I made a another notch for the plexiglass that overlapped the first notch so the plexiglass sat flush with the floor.

http://www.cornsnakes.com/forums/showthread.php?t=49658a

1. It's safe.
2. 2" is way more than enough space. The space between my viv-bottom and the rest of the cabinet is almost 2", most people have even smaller spaces.
3. I have a piece of lexan as part of the bottom of my snake's viv. I just cut the hole and made the lexan about 1" bigger. To secure it I used small flathead screws countersunk in the lexan.
4. Dunno, never stacked.
If you don't have a UTH I would give some thought to the flexwatt, if I was to start over I would use that. There are also heaters that can go inside that are like a UTH, I guess that's an ITH.