Question about heating a DIY setup

[GodzillaGecko]

I was curious since I don't see anything relating to the topic. Otherwise I'd never ask. But I'm planning on building my own setup for the interior of the tank. (The whole foam cave setup deal). When heating the underside is it better to not put anything? Put sand as a base and lay the foam base ontop or use slate?

Or would it be better if I cut out the hot spot area and put the slate tiles there with everything else built around.

Just don't want to set it all up only for it not to work correctly. Never made anything like this before so I'm just curious as to the proper way to heat the hot spot.

 

[forgivenick]

I am no expert, but my opinion is that this is your best option:

"better if I cut out the hot spot area and put the slate tiles there with everything else built around. "

 

[GodzillaGecko]

ah ok thanks. I was thinking the same thing. I just wasn't sure. A lot of the online tutorials that have the foam as a base don't explain if you cut out the hot spot. I'm planning to build a entire ruined NY city inside the tank type deal as if the geckos were monsters and destroyed it. With the hide spots inside the buildings. Well thats the plan. I'm not sure how it will work out. Its either that or an entire apartment look lol.

 

[forgivenick]

AWESOME! I love it. I think you need a giant sticker across the bottom of the tank reading GODZILLA GECKOS.
I got a giant sticker of my red tail boa's name across the top wood section of her custom tank. It cost me less than $10 from the local sign shop and was 4"x4" Olde English Lettering. It really completed the custom enclosure look I was going for. I can't wait to see pics of your finished tank. In San Diego, Legoland does mini renditions of all the famous U.S. Cities. They have one for New York. Maybe you can google images of it, it may give you some ideas for how to "shrink it down to size" and capture the essence of the city's skyline in miniature. Definitely post pictures when you are done and cross post a link to the new thread here so I don't miss it.

 

[mudskipper]

Foam is used for insulating. Think ice coolers and shipping boxes for live animals.

If you have a foam base, the heat from the heat pad would not penetrate through. Like Forgivenick said, you can use slates or ceramic tiles. But with slates or ceramic tiles, you may need a thermostat to help regulate the temperature. These tiles hold temperature so well and can get pretty hot.

 

[GodzillaGecko]

I'm originally from Brooklyn NY so capturing the essence of NY isn't a issue for me..well maybe now it is. The yuppies took over. I guess I could just make little yuppy models getting smooshed. And more garbage on the streets. I noticed that it stinks now that I don't live there anymore. Sad I loved the place till they started building condo's everywhere! anyway I'll look it up and check it out. Thanks for letting me know Forgiven

Ah gotcha Mudskipper. I was going to get a thermostat anyway because living in PA during the winter can be pretty brutal. I wanted to make sure the tank stays at the same temp even if the room changes. (some winters it don't matter how much heat you put on). I was thinking of putting a carpet as a base layer under the slate to begin with. Just to help buffer the extra heat. I'll figure it out. But thanks for the advice guys. I'll get er done.