For the bulls I’m using heat tape for UTH controlled by herpstat thermostats to create a “warm spot” on one end since they aren’t very heat demanding. I added 1/4” thick rubber adhesive non-slip furniture feet to use as spacers so the heat tape can “breathe”. I need to do some adjusting as the warm spot on the very bottom cage is 3-4F less than the cages above it.
I didn’t take any pictures of how I attached the casters but they are screwed in directly to the PVC base in 3 of the 4 holes on the caster plate. I used 6 casters on each stand. The stands are the 8” cage bases that AP sells with the cages. They came drilled to use side mount casters but I didn’t realize this until after I ordered them and AP never responded to my email about buying the casters separately.
The boa cages have heat panels that will be run on VE-200 and VE-3002X thermostats. I’m planning on getting a piece of 4x2’ plywood to attach casters to for a base for the boa cages. Not the most aesthetically pleasing but it’s economical and functional.
The room has been holding steady at 74.5F with the 10 bull cages running and thermostat for the entire basement set at 71F AC. I have the dampers on the air returns closed as far as they will. We’ll see what kind of bump I get once the boa cages are up and running. The bulls would be fine at 74.5F ambient but I’d like it a little higher for the boas. It may not be an issue since the heat panels should sufficiently heat the entire cage.
The boa cages are second hand reptile basics I got w/ heat panels and a VE-300X2 therm. The cages needed a serious deep cleaning. I had to dissassemble entirely to clean and reseal them. I ended up replacing all the plexi doors as well. Despite all the work and replacement doors still got a really good deal on them and the equipment for a little over half of what it all would have cost me brand new.
Here is the fancy cage base I put together for them.
I got the heat panels, thermostat, and lights all connected for the boa cages this morning. Gotta do some tweaking of the temp settings for each panel so the temps even out in each cage with the heat rising. I also need to hit up Lowe’s today for some cord clips to secure the temp probes in place.
Finally got everyone moved in yesterday! Whoop whoop
The shop cart came in big time handy and I think it’s gonna make routine maintenance a lot more efficient. Solid purchase that warranted my excitement!
She’s either saying thanks for all the space or cursing me for putting her on paper.
I’m trying out keeping them on paper. They had been on aspen but I want to try it out and see how they react. I’m totally open to switching them back to aspen if they start getting angsty and I see a lot of nose rubbing, etc. I like the cleanliness of paper. With how much these guys poop, it’s nice to be able ensure that I am cleaning thoroughly when spot cleaning, and paper allows for that.
Great reptile room! And yes I like unprinted newspaper myself, for non-burrowing snakes. A lot of folks will “poo poo” this choice due to “lack of enrichment” but in my ever so humble opinion, unless the snake s a burrower I don’t think it cares one way or another what it’s on……
I kept a hognose on reptile carpet years ago and it was the best behaved best eater of all the ones I have ever had. I just made the burrowing remark for others who have them.
I am using aspen for some of mine and repti chip/bark for others. However I am also considering going back to the unprinted newspaper sheets I purchased off Amazon in the past. I too like the cleanliness aspect of the newspaper……
I may go back to it just to make it more difficult for them to rearrange the cage! A few of them have piled up everything (hides, water bowl, spider wood branches) in the center of their cages. . Too easy to slide everything around on the paper.
I like paper for my boas and retic. I do give them a big bowl of cypress much to help with humidity, and some do just sit in it and poop. Got the bowls from Tractor Supply.
Thanks @tommccarthy! The boas seem un-phased by the switch from cypress to paper. Humidity hasn’t been a problem either. They have large water bowls positioned half under the heat panel and it seems to be doing the trick.
Amazon. WEN is the brand. I debated between the smaller model and larger model. Glad I went larger though.
It’s a kamado but not BGE. It’s a Vision. It’s worked well with a smaller price tag. I have a OKJ offset as well that I really like. I tend to use the Vision for smaller/shorter smokes. I do a lot of whole chicken and smaller beef cuts. The OKJ offset is for ribs, butts/shoulders, and brisket.
The guy selling it asked me if I thought I could fix it and I told him I didn’t need to. He then asked what my plan for it was so I told him an incubator for snake eggs. That drew a very curious look from him and a lot of questions.
The LED lights and fans are still functioning which is a plus. I’m going to remove the compressor just incase it decides to come back to life down the line. Outside of that, I just need to remove a few of the shelves, the dual zone divider, and apply heat tape on a thermostat. Big win!
