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DIY Projects Use this forum to post threads related to home made projects for your corns... Vivariums, hides, decorations, accessories, you name it. Anything to save some bucks or give your personalized touch.

My First Enclosure Build
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Old 08-06-2017, 01:38 PM   #1
Pumpkin D. Cat
My First Enclosure Build

Greetings, all! I've been obsessed with getting a snake for a few years now, and, after gaining much knowledge, I've decided to move forward, and start planning. My biggest obstacle has been how to keep the snake safe, and keep it from getting out. Pet stores are little help in this area. If they do have reptiles, or reptile cages they aren't focused on snakes. The glass aquarium types look ok, if you can find one with a locking lid. Otherwise it seems all they have are cages designed for lizards, or other reptiles, and their "kits" with things I'm not sure I need for a snake.

I've decided to go with a ¾" melamine enclosure with exterior dimensions of 37 ½" l x 18" d x 13 ½" h
Attachment 193918

One 4' x 8' will almost make two enclosures of this size, and cost less than $20, so if I make a mistake I'll have some backup pieces to work with. I've decided to go with sliding glass that spans the full front of the enclosure, 36" on the inside track. I'll need two pieces of glass to be cut, but that's not a problem. It shouldn't be more than $20 for the glass, up to $60 on the aluminum track for the sliding glass, and another $10 for the lock.

Heating is where I'm still having an issue. I don't know if I should go with heat tape on the inside of the enclosure with a ceramic tile on top of it to avoid direct contact with the snake, or if I should go with a Pro Heat radiant panel attached to the top of the enclosure on one side possibly with a ceramic tile directly under it to absorb more of the heat for the "hot" side that way there is no way the snake could lay on it, and damage itself. Even though Pro Heat says their product cannot harm any animal through direct contact I'd rather be safe than sorry.

Of course I'll be installing vents in each end, some sort of UV lighting, and a thermostat to regulate whatever heat source I end up installing.

If anyone has built something like this, or has any comments, hints, or suggestions I would appreciate any advice.
 
Old 08-06-2017, 04:07 PM   #2
Reptile Lover 23
On my corn snake enclosure build, i used a pro rep heat matt on the bottom, with an STC-1000 thermostate to control the temp put the sensor on top of the heat matt,

i have used STC-1000 from ebay there £10.69, i have not had any problems with my snakes, or my hatchlings i even built my incubator using an STC-1000 to control the temp.

my enclosure is 5ftx3ftx1,1/2ft,

Be carful of any sorts of paint, i used acrylic waterbased paint with a low VOC Waterproof sealer.

Hope this help's good look with your build.
 
Old 08-07-2017, 03:54 PM   #3
DollysMom
I know nothing about building an enclosure, but best wishes. Most of us are using ZooMed Reptitherm heat mats or heat tape of some kind. I had never heard of the STC-1000 but I see it is available for around $13. I also recommend the Hydrofarm Jumpstart thermostat. Many of us here use that sucessfully.

https://www.amazon.com/Inkbird-All-P...B8FQDXD96P40CD

https://www.amazon.com/MTPRTC-Contro...arm+jump+start

https://www.amazon.com/Zoo-Med-Repti...med+reptitherm
 
Old 08-08-2017, 12:48 AM   #4
noscuses
Quote:
Originally Posted by DollysMom View Post
I know nothing about building an enclosure, but best wishes. Most of us are using ZooMed Reptitherm heat mats or heat tape of some kind. I had never heard of the STC-1000 but I see it is available for around $13. I also recommend the Hydrofarm Jumpstart theremostat. Many of us here us that sucessfully.

https://www.amazon.com/Inkbird-All-P...B8FQDXD96P40CD

https://www.amazon.com/MTPRTC-Contro...arm+jump+start

https://www.amazon.com/Zoo-Med-Repti...med+reptitherm
I built a 4'x2'x2' melamine enclosure for my colombian boa.
It is heated by an 80 watt Reptile Basics radiant heat panel.
I lined the floor of the enclosure with 2" square peel and stick vinyl tile.

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