Hi everyone! I’m new here and was hoping I could please get some guidance. Please be kind. I know it needs A LOT of work. Yes, I also know there’s a lot of shedding I need to clean up.
I regretfully bought this enclosure from an expo, and didn’t realize I was going to have so many roadblocks.
The cords hanging are the UTH mats and thermostats.
I’m trying to figure out how to install the mats without hanging cords from the front. I’m wondering if I can pop out the vents in the back, and run the UTH mats through that. But how can I secure the cords down against the enclosure? I thought about an aquarium based silicone (maybe the one by Lugarti?) my thought is so the snakes don’t get wrapped in the cords or start lifting any of the mats. Thoughts??
I want to put a lot more habitat decorations in there, but I don’t want to do it until I get this figured out.
Any guidance is sincerely appreciated. Thank you in advance.
As far as options from there… Your best bet would be to use a CHE if they already have the outlet for them installed, but make sure they’re in a basket to protect the reptiles. Otherwise a radiant heat panel installed on the top of each.
They’re much safe options for your animals in an enclosure like that.
Also, I hope that they were sterilized before you put anything in? You never know what could be hitching a ride with you in an old enclosure. I always try to do a pretty good scrub down with bleach and letting it air out to dry before messing with things.
The UTH is under a large, heavy, ceramic plate, it’s also waterproof, and covered in coconut bark. So although unorthodox, it seems to be working. There is outlets for the CHE, however, they don’t have baskets. Additionally, all of my snakes tend to climb on the fixtures, so I would be more concerned about a burn in that manner. Lastly, the enclosure was bought new, so there wasn’t concern for pests. I still sterilized it prior to introducing the animals.
I was simply asking for recommendations and advice on how to secure the cords. Thank you again.
How did you waterproof it?
If you mean the tile is waterproof you would still need to worry about and liquid runoff from over the side and under. Especially if the snake somehow tips a water bowl or just overall humidity causing damage over time. If the snakes can pull the probe off if can still cause damage when unregulated. I have had a BP rip a siliconed wire off the wall. Thankfully the CHE wasn’t strong enough to heat up the enclosure past 90. UTH can pop up to 140.
Baskets are easily purchased online. A big enough basket is still safer imo than risking the uth. Yes, it’s not pretty. But the risks are lower I would think.
I’m mostly just concerned for overall safety for the animals and you. Even the best have had issues and burned out thermostats or worse have lost animals because of malfunction. It’s best to avoid any risks right from the start
My radiant heat panel came with a couple little cord holders that screwed into the wall of the enclosure to use with the thermostat probe. Made it very easy to place the probe securely and neatly. Not sure if they sell those separately, though you could make your own easily enough with some small strips of some sort of flexible material, like maybe rubber or vinyl? Just cut some little strips, loop a strip around the cord, then stick a screw through the ends of the strip and screw it into the wall/ceiling of the enclosure. Not sure if that makes sense. I’ll try to take a picture of the thermostat probe in question to hopefully help you visualize what I’m talking about.
That said, I share @armiyana concerns about having UTHs inside the enclosure. I’d seriously consider alternate heat sources, putting UTHs inside the enclosure really isn’t super safe for either you or the snakes.
Again, thank you for the response. I still strongly disagree that baskets would be safer, as I’m fully aware of my snake’s behaviors. Additionally, there are reputable reptile companies make waterproof heat pads, and that’s what I was talking about. I appreciate your concern, but you’re also not addressing the only reason I created the post. Which, honestly, makes me regret even asking for help. So, I appreciate your time and response. But it’s not offering guidance I was looking for. Have a nice day.
Thank you very much for your help. If at all possible, could you please take a picture so I can see if what I’m envisioning is accurate??
As for the heating aspect, thank you for your concern. I’ve been looking at radiant heat panels for a little while now, but then there’s the concern of how to mount it. There are fixtures in the enclosure, and I know the radiant heat panels are affixed with screws, but I definitely am questioning the integrity. This enclosure leaves a lot to be desired and I’m honestly wondering if it’s a lost cause. Thank you again very much for your help, it’s greatly appreciated.
I would love to see which companies are marketing them as waterproof and inside enclosure please. Even seedling mats for horticulture are sadly only water resistant, not waterproof. It would be interesting to see what the belly heat options you’re using are. Especially if it is something workable for other species
I told you I have personally had a BP rip out a cord that had been set in silicone. So that does address this question.
Why would you doubt the integrity? We don’t know what the actual makeup of these enclosures are so when @jawramik and I recommended RHP it would be easier to understand what they are and what is holding you back. They would be the safest options overall
