- Messages
- 33
- Location
- Winterpark FL
So, before anyone chimes in saying this is all unessasary -
I am obligated to keep my collection in a sort of secure cabinet due to having an inquisitive "semi aboreal" Bengal cat, I also keep my place at 68°f year round - which is likely fine for nearly any T- however I want to provide the most naturalistic environment for the animals in my care, I also may start a few breeding projects in the near future and temperature modulation can help with certain species.
I got these two 41" x 36" x16" metal storage cabinets with wire mesh doors to start modifying into my ideal T collection display cabinets. I chose metal because I sometimes worry about the different chemical treatments used in new cheaper composite "assemble yourself" stuff sold these days, I also worried about longevity with possible moisture/ humidity exposure.
Ventilation:
The mesh doors will help with ventilation but I'm going to go further than that by drilling holes in the back and installing variable speed 120mm computer fans that will be able to run intermittently/ as needed on a spare aquarium controller/ computer I have.
Heat:
This I know is something that can end in disaster if not done safely, so Im going to have multiple redundancies in place.
I'm putting a few panels of flexwatt heat tape on the outside of the back panels, I not sure where would be best - lower or higher? Middle? I know the cabinet being metal it should conduct heat fairly well so I'm going to be conservative- (I'd love input from someone who has experience using flex watt/ heat tape in reptile applications on their recommendations on placement)
I'm going to be controlling the heat tape
via an inkbird thermostat that's also plugged into my aquarium computer to offer two levels of safety- as well as being able to program in if/ then statements- it's wifi capable and can alert me and be controlled remotely.
The controller- I manage a large marine aquaculture facility/ coral farm that utilizes these computer controllers for a lot of our equipment, it's called a Neptune Apex, while it's made for aquariums I can easily adapt it to run these cabinets,
I can program in seasonal changes in lighting and temperature if I want, have it run fans intermittently or at certain temperatures etc etc
I can monitor and view parameters in real time remotely on the app (screenshot pictured) and setup safeties/ redundancies as needed
I know it's completely unessasary and extreme but I have one sitting in a box in storage, thousand dollar piece of equipment doing nothing, might as well utilize it right?
Again, I would love some input from people who have done their own collection cabinets, or someone experienced with using heat tape for reptiles/ snake racks for some tips on placement.
Overall please give me your input, critiques and ideas!
Where I'm at so far:
I am obligated to keep my collection in a sort of secure cabinet due to having an inquisitive "semi aboreal" Bengal cat, I also keep my place at 68°f year round - which is likely fine for nearly any T- however I want to provide the most naturalistic environment for the animals in my care, I also may start a few breeding projects in the near future and temperature modulation can help with certain species.
I got these two 41" x 36" x16" metal storage cabinets with wire mesh doors to start modifying into my ideal T collection display cabinets. I chose metal because I sometimes worry about the different chemical treatments used in new cheaper composite "assemble yourself" stuff sold these days, I also worried about longevity with possible moisture/ humidity exposure.
Ventilation:
The mesh doors will help with ventilation but I'm going to go further than that by drilling holes in the back and installing variable speed 120mm computer fans that will be able to run intermittently/ as needed on a spare aquarium controller/ computer I have.
Heat:
This I know is something that can end in disaster if not done safely, so Im going to have multiple redundancies in place.
I'm putting a few panels of flexwatt heat tape on the outside of the back panels, I not sure where would be best - lower or higher? Middle? I know the cabinet being metal it should conduct heat fairly well so I'm going to be conservative- (I'd love input from someone who has experience using flex watt/ heat tape in reptile applications on their recommendations on placement)
I'm going to be controlling the heat tape
via an inkbird thermostat that's also plugged into my aquarium computer to offer two levels of safety- as well as being able to program in if/ then statements- it's wifi capable and can alert me and be controlled remotely.
The controller- I manage a large marine aquaculture facility/ coral farm that utilizes these computer controllers for a lot of our equipment, it's called a Neptune Apex, while it's made for aquariums I can easily adapt it to run these cabinets,
I can program in seasonal changes in lighting and temperature if I want, have it run fans intermittently or at certain temperatures etc etc
I can monitor and view parameters in real time remotely on the app (screenshot pictured) and setup safeties/ redundancies as needed
I know it's completely unessasary and extreme but I have one sitting in a box in storage, thousand dollar piece of equipment doing nothing, might as well utilize it right?
Again, I would love some input from people who have done their own collection cabinets, or someone experienced with using heat tape for reptiles/ snake racks for some tips on placement.
Overall please give me your input, critiques and ideas!
Where I'm at so far:
