heating

[ohh_kristina]

I have decided to change my heating methods, because I am having trouble achieving the correct temperatures. I want to either use Flexwatt Heat Tape or Ultratherm Heat Pads. Which would you recommend? I'm not much of an electrician, so wiring the heat tape will probably be a challenge for me. I can get someone to help me, but I'm trying to figure out the cheapest and easiest way to do this. I will have 6 enclosures to heat (two 4ft enclosures, a 20gallon long, and a 5ft enclosure, and a 6ft enclosure..but I need something that will heat rubbermaids until I can get the enclosures finished. They are almost done!). Should I do half the enclosures in heat tape and half with heat pads? Sorry for all the questions..I'm trying to figure all of this out.
With those who have medium to large collections, how do you heat your enclosures?
Also, can heat tape be used for bearded dragon enclosures? Can it be "hung" so that the heat will come from above? Sorry if that's a stupid question :p
Thanks!

[Big Mike]

Heat tape would be the least expensive way to go for heating multiple enclosures. You could heat a few enclosures with a single strip of heat tape or you could cut it into many separate pieces and wire them up individually. I have never done it myself but it looks really easy.

I really don't think it would be a practical solution for heating BD enclosures. Heat tape does not really radiate heat like bulbs or heat emitters do. It could be used under the enclosure to bring up the ambient heat but you probably don't need that down in Tampa. Bearded Dragons need heat coming from above them so I'd say it would be best to use something like a heat lamp or heat emitter. Don't forget about UVB as well.

[ohh_kristina]

thanks. I have UVB on the BD, and a heat lamp :D

[Linds]

The though of wiring heat tape may be intimidating if you have never done it before, but believe me, it is very simple. I had zero experience in wiring anything, but have never had problems up heat tape :) I'd recommend using electrical tape instead of those clip covers... the clip covers are bulky and do not provide a tight seal in the event that water or something -accidentally- gets spilled in the area.

[ohh_kristina]

okay, thanks. I found some web sites on how to properly wire the heat tape..so I think I'm going to give it a try.