Help with adding heat/lighting to some new enclosures!

[Kurt]

On craigslist I found a great deal on two 36x18x18 boaphiile pvc enclosures.
The problem is that the tanks do not come with lighting or heat fixtures. Does anyone have possible solutions for this?

Here are some pictures of the enclosures:

[Fatal_S]

My method was to buy simple light fixtures from Home Depot and install them inside the tank. This did require drilling some holes into the top of the tank. I also use fairly low-watt bulbs since it is possible for the skinks to touch them (but mine so far have been smart enough not to).

[Bird_Brain]

Id just mount some light fixtures inside the cage. You could also look into UTH, but even with that, you still need lighting.

[Kurt]

I don't know about drilling into pvc, but this is my only idea so far:
http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/prod/236246/product.web

[Fatal_S]

That's similar to what I have. Pretty good price too. Keep in mind you'll still need to drill a hole to get the cord out.

I should add that PVC tanks trap heat well, so I now only have 1 75W bulb per tank, not 2 as in the photos.

[Bird_Brain]

drilling into pvc is no different than drilling into wood. very easy.

That fixture would probably work, but you still need a way to attach it. Going to a hardware store and purchasing a light fixture and "pig tail" would be much cheaper.

[lemon1]

We had a hard time finding lighting for our PVC . Hard finding higher wattage fixtures because everything is environmentally friendly . We finally settled with a 50 watt halogen fixture . We use a 50 watt bulb and get heat to 100 . You will have to drill into your enclosure and make your own cord and plug . I think Fatal_s has outdoor fixture that might be a little easier .

[lemon1]

I am sure you can do it . My husband is a computer geek that fixes nothing other than internet problems and he got the heat going .

[Kurt]

thanks everyone! i'm getting the tanks tomorrow then heading to the hardware store to pick out a fixture.

so for a 36 x 18 x 18 in pvc do you think a 50 or 75 watt fixture would be best? we started heating the room the tank is in during winter so that isn't a concern...

[lemon1]

Depends on the type of light . We have a 50 watt halogen . I would buy both and see . You can always return what doesn't work .

[Jeff]

You want a fixture that is rated higher than the bulb you put in it. I would recommend a fixture rated for at least 150-200 watts. That way you can use any bulb up to that wattage. Some cheap plastic fixtures will only be rated for a 60 watt bulb or less. Don't get one of those, then put 100 watt bulb in it.

Ceramic fixtures are always a good choice. They are usually rated 250w or more. You can get cheap ceramics at the hardware store for under $2. There are other kinds that work well too, just be sure to check the rating.

[Kurt]

went to lowes and got 2 porcelain fixtures for $1.50 each. the "pig tails" were about $10 each. And I got 2 flourescent lights for about $10 each... not too bad!

i'm still a little worried about installation... not sure how i'm going to be able to stack them after i screw the fixtures into place because the screws will go through the top. does anyone have any ideas about that?

[Jeff]

You can just put some blocks of wood in between the bottom enclosure and the top. For example, get a 2x4 and cut off 4-6 pieces 3 1/2" long. That means you will have a bunch of blocks of wood that are 1 1/2" thick, and 3 1/2" long x 3 1/2" wide. Just put one on each corner of the bottom enclosure and maybe a couple somewhere in the middle if you think you need to. That will create a 1 1/2" gap between the two enclosures.

[Fatal_S]

If you look at my photos there's small pieces of wood (1"x.5"x8' for under $1) between the tanks. This leaves room for the nut/bolt plus adds airflow (needed if you add under-tank heaters/heat cable/etc).

[Bird_Brain]

I personally would not necessarily screw them into place, but rather pre-drill the holes and use machine screws (#8-32 machine screws) and a washer and nut on top. This would tend to be more secure and not have to worry about the screws stripping the pvc and fixtures falling.

As the others stated, just put some sort of spacer between the cages. If you wanted, paint it black before hand that way its not noticeable.

[critterguy]

Anyone have any issues with the cages ceiling getting too warm from these fixtures? Notice that some seem to have them a bit lower off the ceiling to prevent this.

Also, would UTH have difficulty heating these tanks? PVC doesn't conduct heat as well as glass.

[Fatal_S]

I use heat cable taped underneath to heat my smaller tanks. It works great for heat, but there's no light so those tanks are much darker.

[lemon1]

We did our lighting through the back instead of the top so we don't have cable at the top

[Kurt]

I personally would not necessarily screw them into place, but rather pre-drill the holes and use machine screws (#8-32 machine screws) and a washer and nut on top. This would tend to be more secure and not have to worry about the screws stripping the pvc and fixtures falling.

As the others stated, just put some sort of spacer between the cages. If you wanted, paint it black before hand that way its not noticeable.

the ceramic fixture came with the machine screws so i'm good there but i'll have to get some for the fluorescent lights. i'll pick up some washers and nuts too. thanks for the great advice! i'm not very good at building stuff so i really had no clue about any of this.

We did our lighting through the back instead of the top so we don't have cable at the top

ah very smart! i think this sounds easier than using a spacer between the tanks.

[lemon1]

If you have a ceramic fixture you can use halogen bulbs for heating