Experimenting! Opinions/suggestions?

[Teal]

I originally nabbed this case (for free! Thank you guy-who-isn't-on-this-forum-and-doesn't-even-like-Ts ) as a potential future house for Haughtchoklat (Theraphosa sp.)... but after talking with the amazing and wonderfully helpful Paul Becker, I decided to use this case as a heated area for all (well, almost all) my Ts!

It took me a minute, but this is the rough sketch until I can find some non-light emitting heat bulbs for the two bulb sockets at the top...

That's a space heater underneath, with a thermostat. I also have water dishes in there, to help with humidity (in addition to having the substrate moist in each enclosure, for the most part).

It's not perfect, but so far.. it's working out okay!

So, some tips I am looking for...

How can I insulate the glass to hold heat better?

What would be better to heat the case? - I am considering heat bulbs or heat tape. Anyone have experience with either, that can give pros and cons?

I'm still iffy with it and messing around with the temperature, so I am checking on it every half hour or so and unplugging the heater when I leave the house

Any comments/questions/concerns/tips/etc?

 

[Adversary]

That's a good idea there. I'm doing something similar, except with a mini wine fridge, as it holds the temperature better. I got it for free too. I will be using heat tape wired up to a thermostat. Heat Tape

 

[fatich]

How can I insulate the glass to hold heat better?
-l have an idea about this question, you can use styrofoam to hold head better.You can cover 3 sides with styrofoam excluding lid.

 

[Teal]

That's a handy idea, thanks fatich! I'll see if I can find some styrofoam around to give it a try

 

[fatich]

No problem l hope it will work

 

[rvtjonny]

That heater looks really big, I wouldn't use that inside. its ok for heating a room but that is over kill, anyway i an using the two zoo med products for my set up and it works great, and as far as using insulation the glass well i use white foam board from wal mart found in the stationary area. other than that i like it..


ReptiTemp 500R

ReptiTherm® Under Tank Heater

http://www.zoomed.com/db/products/Search.php?SearchID=1&DatabaseID=2&Keyword=Heating/Thermostats/Gauges&ProductCategory=Heating&Heading=Terrarium&Search.x=0&Search.y=0

 

[Teal]

Yeah, it's a temporary heater lol I've got it turned down to pretty much the lowest setting, and it's 80F in the tank right now.. which is right where I want it.

I have heat pads like you linked to, and it didn't heat up inside the tank well enough.

Thanks for the information!

 

[forrestpengra]

I need a case like that!!!

Can you remove the graphic from above with a razor?

That is awesome. I would use like 1" foam around atleast 2 of the three sides. You can paint it but be careful not to use oil based, it will dissolve the foam.

I was planning on doing the same thing to keep the cat, dog, toddler, and fetus (due in April) out. I had thought about a clothing wardrobe but this idea is much better as you can actually see your collection.

 

[Teal]

I don't know if I can remove the graphic, but I figure if I keep this idea I'll paint over it

Overnight, the case held heat pretty well.. it remained a steady 80F (varying a bit from 80.2 to 80.5)... but I don't know how many times the heater kicked on to accomplish this, which is why (obviously) insulation would help. The only issue, is that everyone fits in there just perfectly and with insulation I'd have to rearrange and figure out how to make everyone fit again lol

This case doesn't close all the way, because of the cord for the heater... so I am having even more trouble keeping the toddler out than usual (Every few minutes.. "Mommy, are we gonna feed the spiders?" or "Mommy, let me see the biiiig spider!" LOL)

 

[Xian]

What was that case originally for?
It looks like an antique, I wouldn't paint anything or remove the writting/graphic, personally. I love the antique look!

 

[forrestpengra]

This case doesn't close all the way, because of the cord for the heater... so I am having even more trouble keeping the toddler out than usual (Every few minutes.. "Mommy, are we gonna feed the spiders?" or "Mommy, let me see the biiiig spider!" LOL)

Sounds exactly like my 2yr old son... 'Daddy, I want to see the spiiiiiiiider'. He likes looking at my 7" LP, the others he can't see as readily and cares little about.

Are there adjustable shelves in that thing?

 

[rvtjonny]

Yeah, it's a temporary heater lol I've got it turned down to pretty much the lowest setting, and it's 80F in the tank right now.. which is right where I want it.

I have heat pads like you linked to, and it didn't heat up inside the tank well enough.

Thanks for the information!

also if you go with the ReptiTemp 500R you can plug 2 large heat mats up to it, that would defiantly heat that up with no problem and once you get it dialed in you will never have to worry about temps again.. set it an for get it