[evilkarot]

I'm preparting to build a cage (with my non-wood working skills ) and I have a couple questions for all you knowledgeable folks. I posted this in the DIY section, but haven't received any responses yet. It's going to be a bi-level cage, each cage being 4ft long x 3ft deep x 1.5 ft tall. All made out of plywood and 2x4's and 2x2's. I will probably be doing a foam custom background in them as well. This will house Leopard Geckos. Probably housing 1 male with 3-4 females per cage.

One: Should I use a UTH under the cages, or would a heat lamp be better? I thought a lamp would be better and easier, for it would keep the whole tank warm and it would be warmer under the lamp itself. I use a 300 watt heat lamp bulb currently in the 125gallon they are in currently, and they seem to be thriving. Eating very well and all seem to be healthy.

Two: If a UTH would be better, would a plexiglass bottom be better so that the heat would actually heat things, or would a plywood flooring be OK? I plan on putting stick down tiles on the inside of the cage or possibly the excavators clay (I think that's what it's called. The sand that hardens like a rock that you can build tunnels and stuff in). So, I want to be sure the heat actually reaches the geckos.

I've only built 2 other cages, and one of those was just a modification job. The other one was huge (6ft x 2ft x 2.5ft) for my Boa, then became the cage for my Savannah Monitor, before she died. So, I'm a bit nervous, but I'm hoping it comes out OK. Just wasn't real sure on the bottom. I'll post pix of the design and the progress, probably in the DIY section, if I remember. Sometimes I get going on things and forget to stop until it's done.

[Riverside Reptiles]

In the future, please don't cross post. Keep it in one forum or the other.
Thanks

[evilkarot]

Doesn't anyone have any suggestions? I want to make this enclosure the best for them. I'm thinking a infrared heat lamp may be the best for the situation, as a UTH won't do much through wood and the clay. If anyone has any different ideas, Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[nater]

All under tank heaters I'm aware of are for use with glass only.

[evilkarot]

Yeah, that's what I was thinking too.

[Nativeson]

You could cut about a 1 inch hole in an inconspicuous corner and run the cord through said hole and put the heat mat or flexwatt on the inside of the cage and beneath any substrate or flooring that you decide to go with. Once the cords are in place, you could "scab" another piece of wood over the hole. If you have access to a hole saw or can cut a perfect circle....there are "plugs" for this sort of thing available at any hardware store. Hope this helps

Sent from my ADR6350 using Tapatalk

[evilkarot]

That's a good idea, but would it heat through the excavator's clay?

[Yoshi'smom]

Excavator clay is not to be used with any under tank heating. It says so directly on the bag to not use it on top of any heating.... Just fyi.

[evilkarot]

Thank you, I didn't know that. I hadn't looked at the instructions yet. I've just read good things about it. Well I guess that answers that question. Guess I won't be using a UTH if I use excavators clay. Thank you again.

[Riverside Reptiles]

I would use a CHE (ceramic heat emitter) on a thermostat with a piece of slate on the floor below it to absorb and disperse the heat. This will provide belly heat as well as heat the ambient air. Since the CHE puts out heat but no light, it can be left on 24 hours a day.