I'm preparting to build a cage (with my non-wood working skills :coverlaugh
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. :blushing:
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. :blushing:
