Heating 4' x 2' enclosure

Picture this:

4 ft x 2 ft x 16" high enclosure.

3 of them in one 4 ft x 2 ft x 4 ft high box.

Flexwatt is cheap, but even if I run a piece of 11" down one side (is there a way to safely put it inside the enclosure?) I doubt that will heat the enclosure properly.

Are lights the only answer to heating an enclosure this large? Should I use some flex just for night heat?

Thank you for your input. I have just started building the frame. I started this new thread for others who may just have heating questions.

Originally Posted by Knox

Picture this:

4 ft x 2 ft x 16" high enclosure.

3 of them in one 4 ft x 2 ft x 4 ft high box.

Flexwatt is cheap, but even if I run a piece of 11" down one side (is there a way to safely put it inside the enclosure?) I doubt that will heat the enclosure properly.

There are ways to have it in the enclosure, but it will not "heat" the enclosure itself with just a single strip. It is a lot like uninsulated Under Tank Heaters. You would need to have a substantial amount of tape to create a heat gradient with it.

Originally Posted by Knox

Are lights the only answer to heating an enclosure this large? Should I use some flex just for night heat?

No, lights are not the only answer but they are certainly an easy method. lol
Ceramic heat emitters work well, the cobra heat mats installed on the ceiling, heat panels, etc. Heating can be done using several methods, but it all depends on the alotted space.

Thanks... I think I am just going to figure a way to use light bulbs. That way I knock out 2 problems - light and heat.

Dang, this isn't as easy as I thought it would be.

If you're going to heat it with bulbs I strongly suggest using them with a dimmer or a rheostat. That way you can adjust the heat they give off without having to move the fixture around or changing to different wattage.

Great idea. Thanks again.

I have 3 of the same size. I have 2ft of flex watt for the the bottom two 4x16x16 thanks, and then the top one ive ran 2 3" pieces on the bottom the full length of the tank. They work fine for me and heat it well. Takes a day or so for you to get it right witht the wood. Im using half inch plywood. Taped it to the bottom wired it and was good to go.

I used it in the tank and was told it was a bad idea not to mention the risk of shock. I had glass over it at one time it got to 150 or hotter the snakes were roasting in there not to mention it cracked the glass. Even after i told the dill holes what it was for at the glass shop.

So, Moogle, is your flexwatt on the floor inside the cage or taped to the underside of the floor outside the cage (on the ceiling of the cage below)?

I will be using thin plywood since I am using a frame...

Under the floor and i have 1x2 spacers between each. So the heat can escape and not get traped and heat the cages to much. Taped with foil tape.

Sorry, one more question...

I am using 1/4" plywood, so if I use 11" flex on the underside of each level, that will heat the warm side pretty well, right? The floor of one level is the ceiling of the other leve, so I will make sure all contacts are well insulated.

Yeah flex watt with out a reho will get to like 110. I know with out a reho it can burn up.

Edit. I was wrong on the temp i changed it. Heres a link for info on a burnt flex watt. Flexwatt precautions