View Full Version : Heat Mat or Heat Tape?
So, my friend ordered me a Central American Red Tail Boa. I have tried desperately to get in touch with the breeder but have not had luck, so I am preparing the best I can on my fiance and I's limited income. My friend has agreed to spend about $20 on a heat mat. She will be going in a 75 gallon long with a screen top (mostly covered by tinfoil) in a room that is from 65-72F. I cannot afford a thermostat right now, this snake is a surprise, we were't planning on getting one until March AFTER the enclosure was set up.
I can either get two feet of 11" heat tape or a 20x7.5" seedling heat mat. Would the heat tape be better? Should I get 1 or 2 feet for my enclosure? It'll be on the stand, about 1/4" away from the glass and I will have at least an inch if not more of cypress mulch as substrate. The tank will also be raised off the stand a bit to allow for airflow to either one.
Which should I chose?
Thank you,
Flint
sharthun
12-27-13, 09:19 PM
I wouldn't use either one without temperature control. Rheostat or thermostat. Hydrofarm thermostats can be found on Amazon and eBay for around 32 bucks.
sharthun
12-27-13, 09:20 PM
Btw Hey and welcome.
drumcrush
12-27-13, 09:24 PM
Hey, welcome! I'm working on getting a Central American boa right now:) heat tape is cheaper but like sharthun said, probably shouldn't do either without a thermostat or a rheostat.
Sharlynn93
12-27-13, 09:25 PM
I agree about the thermostat...I checked my temps with an IR gun before hooking up my thermostat and it was up around 104-105...WAY too hot..that was with 3 inches of substrate above the heat mat...I bought 3 hydrofarms from ebay for $30 each, free shipping...got them in 2-3 days...
Mikoh4792
12-27-13, 11:09 PM
there's no such thing as a central american red tail boa. Red tails are only found in south america. What you have is a boa constrictor imperator of unknown locality.
formica
12-28-13, 05:41 AM
not being able to afford a thermostat means you cannot afford to keep a snake. a cheap thermostat is only £20/$20, you are risking serious injury to your snake without one.
your heat mat should cover approx 1/3 to 1/2 of the enclosure floor
Mikoh4792
12-28-13, 05:47 AM
not being able to afford a thermostat means you cannot afford to keep a snake. a cheap thermostat is only £20/$20, you are risking serious injury to your snake without one.
your heat mat should cover approx 1/3 to 1/2 of the enclosure floor
Basically this.
Although I would say your heat mat should cover more like 1/4 to 1/3 of the enclosure floor.
KORBIN5895
12-28-13, 06:20 AM
For those od you that have a hard time with reading comprehension she didn't ask for this snake nor did she pay for it. It is an unwanted gift.... Kinda like your input.
@Flint
If you really can't afford a t-stat I would recommend putting the heat mat on the side of the tank that way the snake can't lay on it and get baked.
Feel free to ask any questions you have and ignore the idiots.
Mikoh4792
12-28-13, 06:43 AM
For those od you that have a hard time with reading comprehension she didn't ask for this snake nor did she pay for it. It is an unwanted gift.... Kinda like your input.
@Flint
If you really can't afford a t-stat I would recommend putting the heat mat on the side of the tank that way the snake can't lay on it and get baked.
Feel free to ask any questions you have and ignore the idiots.
Could you be more specific? I think most of the input given in this thread is useful.
Did I not state that I have tried contacting the breeder and cannot? I am stuck with a snake I am not ready for. I'm doing what I can here.
formica
12-28-13, 06:51 AM
Could you be more specific? I think most of the input given in this thread is useful.
he is just being his usual Trolling self
Mikoh4792
12-28-13, 06:52 AM
Did I not state that I have tried contacting the breeder and cannot? I am stuck with a snake I am not ready for. I'm doing what I can here.
no one is attacking you
Thank you, Korbin. I went ahead and decided on the heat tape and managed to sell my filters for the tank for $50. I'm going to order a hydrofarm and get the screen to make the tank lid. The heat tape is being sent by the same breeder that has the snake, so if it doesn't arrive in time, what do I do for heat? I have a 20 gallon tall I could put a piece of particle board and a brick on and sit it near the space heater in that room. The temp would be the same throughout the tank, though. Will that hurt for a week max?
Mikoh4792
12-28-13, 07:05 AM
Thank you, Korbin. I went ahead and decided on the heat tape and managed to sell my filters for the tank for $50. I'm going to order a hydrofarm and get the screen to make the tank lid. The heat tape is being sent by the same breeder that has the snake, so if it doesn't arrive in time, what do I do for heat? I have a 20 gallon tall I could put a piece of particle board and a brick on and sit it near the space heater in that room. The temp would be the same throughout the tank, though. Will that hurt for a week max?
Depends on what temp the tank will be. Some snake keepers/breeders have a "snake room" that they heat to a certain temp(ie. 82f) and use no supplement heat so you could kind of do that with a space heater. That would not be bad at all assuming you keep your enclosure warm enough but not too hot.
I can move the tank as close to or as far away from it as needed. So, whatever temp you guys feel is best.
Also, how is there "no such thing" as CA boas? They are all over kingsnake and various breeders websites. Not to mention almost every BCI care sheet states that they are found in Central America.
Mikoh4792
12-28-13, 07:14 AM
I can move the tank as close to or as far away from it as needed. So, whatever temp you guys feel is best.
Also, how is there "no such thing" as CA boas? They are all over kingsnake and various breeders websites. Not to mention almost every BCI care sheet states that they are found in Central America.
I never said there are no such things as CA boas. I said there are no such things as CA red tails. Red tailed boas are boa constrictor constrictor, boa constrictors found in Centra America are boa constrictor imperator.
Just helping you understand the correct classification of boas.
I'm not used to dealing with people that know the difference. BCI are sold as red tails at petco so for the sake of laymans terms, that's generally how I introduce. I apologize.
Mikoh4792
12-28-13, 07:23 AM
I'm not used to dealing with people that know the difference. BCI are sold as red tails at petco so for the sake of laymans terms, that's generally how I introduce. I apologize.
No need to apologize, as said before you aren't being attacked.
I think the people who need to apologize are the one's running businesses like petco that don't care about correctly informing the masses.
I agree. I worked at petco long enough to do my CBT and be introduced to caring for the animals. I didn't show up the next day or ever again. It was SICKENING.
My thermostat will be here Tuesday. (:
KORBIN5895
12-28-13, 09:44 AM
Could you be more specific? I think most of the input given in this thread is useful.
I sure can.
not being able to afford a thermostat means you cannot afford to keep a snake. a cheap thermostat is only £20/$20, you are risking serious injury to your snake without one.
Basically this.
.
Mikoh4792
12-28-13, 11:34 AM
I sure can.
Cmon... you can't be serious. Using a heat mat and heat tape without a thermostat IS risking injury to whatever animal you are heating.
Telling the OP that a thermostat is a must is useful input....wanted or not.
KORBIN5895
12-28-13, 12:14 PM
Cmon... you can't be serious. Using a heat mat and heat tape without a thermostat IS risking injury to whatever animal you are heating.
Telling the OP that a thermostat is a must is useful input....wanted or not.
Dead serious.
Telling someone they can't afford a snake when they clearly acknowledge they can't and also make it clear they didn't order it and were trying to cancel it isn't necessary, constructive or necessary. I'm all for smacking the stupid but it wasn't the op this time.
Mikoh4792
12-28-13, 12:18 PM
Dead serious.
Telling someone they can't afford a snake when they clearly acknowledge they can't and also make it clear they didn't order it and were trying to cancel it isn't necessary, constructive or necessary. I'm all for smacking the stupid but it wasn't the op this time.
I'm sorry but if you can't afford to get basic requirements like a heat source controller then you can't afford an animal that needs it. I'm all for being realistic about financial situations.
If I absolutely could not afford a thermostat, I'd rather use a heat lamp to heat the enclosure since there are different wattages of bulb you can switch between however a heat mat or heat tape left uncontrolled is just asking for a disaster.(even then you could use the money for the bulbs to buy a thermostat instead)
Terranaut
12-28-13, 03:33 PM
Well telling someone who is just doing their best to deal with the situation and who is asking for help that they shouldn't have the snake they never asked for is pretty rough. Why not just help. We all know it's bad but a thermostat is on the way so all will be fine.
Before reading a thermostat is coming I would have recomended a heat pad. Most are limited to a max output and are not likely to have a meltdown or toast your snake over a one week period. An exoterra heat wave rainforest would be ok in your situation for short term and are cheap.
The reason I still answered is just incase another new member sees this and is afraid to ask a similar question due to the first responses to this thread.
Now back to our regular program...or thread :)
Mikoh4792
12-28-13, 03:39 PM
Didn't mean to be harsh, so OP I apologize if you were offended, however I did try to let you know I wasn't attacking you. A thermostat is just one of those things that you need to have in order to safely control the conditions inside a reptile's enclosure.
Adding onto Terranaut's suggestion of an exo-terra rainforest heat mat, I would recommend an ultra-therm heat mad because they are also designed to run at low temperatures even on full power(I think it was 105f)
The heat tape that's coming is 20 watts a foot and I ordered 2 feet for my 4'x1.5' tank. It's a little more than 1/3 of the tank but it's the heat tape that can only be cut in foot long sections. Will she be okay with that? Also, I was going to use cypress mulch as substrate but someone told me not to use substrate for at least a month.. I also have coco husk bricks. Would both be suitable substrate? When can I add substrate?
Mikoh4792
12-28-13, 03:54 PM
Heat tape used alone will get dangerously hot. I would look at using another option to heat the enclosure.
You can use both cypress and cocohusk, however the advice given to you holds some value. When you use paper towel or newspaper for a short while it's easier to detect any problems your snake might have(fecal/urine issues, mites...etc).
formica
12-28-13, 03:56 PM
so korbin, you are saying that someone who cannot afford a thermostat, can afford to care for a snake are you?
nah of course you are just looking for another argument with me. you really are predictable, i bet you even bore yourself sometimes. grow up little boy.
formica
12-28-13, 04:04 PM
OP you need to find a thermostat somehow or other, a snake with burns from a heat mat, or with rotting food in its stomach because it cant digest properly, will cost you a hell of allot more in vet fees, than the small amount need to control the temperature properly. not to mention the suffering it will cause the snake. as suggested, putting the heat mat on the side will negate the possibility of burns, but it will make thermoregulation difficult esp regarding digestion, it should be a very temporary measure
Formica, it was already stated I got a thermostat.
How long should I keep her on paper towel?
Mikoh4792
12-28-13, 04:37 PM
Formica, it was already stated I got a thermostat.
How long should I keep her on paper towel?
If it were me I'd keep her on newspaper or papertowel forever, only because I like paper substrate more.
But if you want to switch later on maybe a few weeks to a few months? Just check her fecal/uric samples and see if there's anything wrong or look for mites. When you are feeling confident your snake is fine make the switch.
Aaron_S
12-28-13, 04:44 PM
... or with rotting food in its stomach because it cant digest properly, will cost you a hell of allot more in vet fees,....
Don't use false scare tactics to bully someone into your agreeing with your opinion.
Snakes don't have food rotting in their body if it's too hot. Their metabolism will adjust and they will digest just fine.
If it's too cold it doesn't rot in their stomach. Their bodies would regurgitate the meal so it doesn't affect them. You know nothing of their physiology.
To Flint, it seems you'll be fine. I would use this enclosure as a temporary one as top opening enclosures just don't do well. Besides, who wants to clean all that glass?
drumcrush
12-28-13, 04:50 PM
How to build 4x2 enclosure for $100 - Redtailboa.net (http://redtailboa.net/forums/how-tos-tutorials/28742-how-build-4x2-enclosure-100-a.html) here are some plans I found that I will use to build my future boas enclosure
Mikoh4792
12-28-13, 04:55 PM
How to build 4x2 enclosure for $100 - Redtailboa.net (http://redtailboa.net/forums/how-tos-tutorials/28742-how-build-4x2-enclosure-100-a.html) here are some plans I found that I will use to build my future boas enclosure
In that plan they suggest you use caulk that has mold and mildew resistance. I heard that these caulks are toxic?
drumcrush
12-28-13, 04:58 PM
In that plan they suggest you use caulk that has mold and mildew resistance. I heard that these caulks are toxic?
If I remember right, I saw a video where they said its fine once you let it air out
Well, I definately can't afford to do that anytime soon. I don't have an issue with top opening enclosures. I've even kept male argentine tegus in top opening enclosures.
drumcrush
12-28-13, 05:27 PM
Well, I definately can't afford to do that anytime soon. I don't have an issue with top opening enclosures. I've even kept male argentine tegus in top opening enclosures.
You don't have to have it built right away, you can just gradually work on it, using the current enclosure just as a temporary enclosure til it's built and sure everything is set up alright
Aaron_S
12-28-13, 05:28 PM
Well, I definately can't afford to do that anytime soon. I don't have an issue with top opening enclosures. I've even kept male argentine tegus in top opening enclosures.
Bravo. I can keep my daughter in a closet but doesn't make it the most appropriate.
I made a suggestion to find something better for the future that is all.
The animal doesn't care whether the enclosure opens from the side or from the top. I didn't say I was keeping an adult male argentine in a 10 gallon, just that it was a top-opening enclosure. They aren't all fish tanks, you know.
Aaron_S
12-28-13, 05:43 PM
The animal doesn't care whether the enclosure opens from the side or from the top. I didn't say I was keeping an adult male argentine in a 10 gallon, just that it was a top-opening enclosure. They aren't all fish tanks, you know.
She will be going in a 75 gallon long with a screen top (mostly covered by tinfoil)
Huh. I guess you forgot about your first post mentioning a 75 gallon long.
The animal certainly cares how it opens because it depends on their overall husbandry. In general, top opening enclosures are poor.
I am not trying to be difficult but you need to realize that as a temporary enclosure you will be fine but in the long run something more appropriate should be on the agenda. Someone just posted a link on how to do it for a $100. Don't get mad at me for suggesting something to think about going forward.
That doesn't mean I had my tegu in that tank.
Aaron_S
12-28-13, 06:51 PM
That doesn't mean I had my tegu in that tank.
I never once mentioned your tegu in an aquarium. I simply stated that top opening enclosures are not most appropriate regardless of species.
KORBIN5895
12-28-13, 08:12 PM
so korbin, you are saying that someone who cannot afford a thermostat, can afford to care for a snake are you?
nah of course you are just looking for another argument with me. you really are predictable, i bet you even bore yourself sometimes. grow up little boy.
Like I said reading comprehension is an area you seem to be lacking in
She said she was trying to reach the breeder because she couldn't afford it
. as suggested, putting the heat mat on the side will negate the possibility of burns, but it will make thermoregulation difficult esp regarding digestion, it should be a very temporary measure
Again your ignorance is showing....... Haven't you ever heard of back heat in a rack? Or how about the people manufacturing PVC enclosures and offering side mounted rhp?
Please don't listen to him Flint. He has a habit of taking a contrary stance to almost every currently accepted husbandry practice.
Also that tank will work fine if you modify it but that doesn't make it ideal.
Sharlynn93
12-28-13, 09:05 PM
I have a rainbow boa in a top opening aquarium that I modified, its working great, but we are definitely building the enclosure that drumcrush posted the link to once we find a place that sells malamine...our lowes does not carry it...glad you ordered a thermostat :) good luck, dear! don't take anything to heart, you are doing everything you can to make sure you provide within your means...I know how it is, I had to scrape and borrow to get some things when I first started...but everyone here gave me great advice, and I am glad I followed it!
drumcrush
12-28-13, 09:10 PM
I have a rainbow boa in a top opening aquarium that I modified, its working great, but we are definitely building the enclosure that drumcrush posted the link to once we find a place that sells malamine...our lowes does not carry it...glad you ordered a thermostat :) good luck, dear! don't take anything to heart, you are doing everything you can to make sure you provide within your means...I know how it is, I had to scrape and borrow to get some things when I first started...but everyone here gave me great advice, and I am glad I followed it!
We struggled at lowes too. Found it at Home Depot though!
Sharlynn93
12-28-13, 09:24 PM
we don't have a home depot around here...we have 1 local building supply place that we haven't tried yet, all the contractors go there...if they don't have it we may have to call someplace further away...then it will take longer, because we will want to get enough for all the ones we plan on building to avoid having to make the trip again... :(
drumcrush
12-28-13, 09:29 PM
we don't have a home depot around here...we have 1 local building supply place that we haven't tried yet, all the contractors go there...if they don't have it we may have to call someplace further away...then it will take longer, because we will want to get enough for all the ones we plan on building to avoid having to make the trip again... :(
Well, that sucks :/
Sharlynn93
12-28-13, 09:32 PM
it WILL get done...hubby wants his "baby" in an enclosure he can see him in, and not just a tub...so incentive is the key...lmao
drumcrush
12-28-13, 09:35 PM
it WILL get done...hubby wants his "baby" in an enclosure he can see him in, and not just a tub...so incentive is the key...lmao
Lol I'd like to see ma babies too! :D
Sharlynn93
12-28-13, 10:08 PM
Hades has been in that tub since we got him and its really hard to see through...I'm looking forward to getting him into something more visible :) even if its a modified tank like Iris's for now...hers is working wonderfully...but still definitely temporary...
Breeders keep snakes in racks which are top opening. She won't be in the aquarium for life but she will probably always be in a top-opening enclosure. It's what I prefer and I've never seen it have adverse effects on an animal UNLESS it has a screen lid.
KORBIN5895
12-29-13, 07:21 AM
There is no comparison between a top opening tank and a rack.
formica
12-29-13, 07:51 AM
Don't use false scare tactics to bully someone into your agreeing with your opinion.
Snakes don't have food rotting in their body if it's too hot. Their metabolism will adjust and they will digest just fine.
If it's too cold it doesn't rot in their stomach. Their bodies would regurgitate the meal so it doesn't affect them. You know nothing of their physiology.
To Flint, it seems you'll be fine. I would use this enclosure as a temporary one as top opening enclosures just don't do well. Besides, who wants to clean all that glass?
the food gets regurgitated if it starts to rot, by that point it already has ''food poisoning''
Korbin, I agree, but I wasn't referring to tanks. I was referring to enclosures. I like to build my reptile enclosures to be top-opening and have a piece of glass on the front for viewing. It's my personal preference.
Aaron_S
12-29-13, 09:17 AM
Korbin, I agree, but I wasn't referring to tanks. I was referring to enclosures. I like to build my reptile enclosures to be top-opening and have a piece of glass on the front for viewing. It's my personal preference.
You're still trying to use a rack as an analogy. It doesn't work.
I don't care how you make your enclosures but it's a waste of space to make them top opening.
Mikoh4792
12-29-13, 09:37 AM
You're still trying to use a rack as an analogy. It doesn't work.
I don't care how you make your enclosures but it's a waste of space to make them top opening.
And when you open a top opening enclosure all the heat and humidity built up just goes right out.
Terranaut
12-29-13, 09:49 AM
I also agree that a top openng tank is not a good choice but you can alter an aquarium to work. This is a converted aquarium with a bci inside. It is ...ok at best but better than the convection oven it was.
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j9/terranaut0/photo-1944.jpg
Aaron_S
12-29-13, 10:12 AM
And when you open a top opening enclosure all the heat and humidity built up just goes right out.
Exactly.
Makes little sense.
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