Heat tape,

[lostwithin]

Ok, I’m thinking about switching some of my larger cages too heat tape, as of right now every cage I own has heat lamps of various sizes, I like using them, because they are easy too set up heat gradients with, and allow for night time viewing when most animals are there most active, but, due too space issues I’m thinking of switching my 3 largest cages too heat tape so I can stack them one on top of another, but I have NO idea how too use the stuff how much too put where too put it for a good heat gradient est. any and all help would be great, I would be using, the 11" wide stuff and runs at 20 watts per foot, the cages I plan too use it in are 2 boa cages measuring 4x2x2. And my young burms cage measuring 6x2x2,
Devon

[Icefire]

remember Heat tape aren't UL / CSA approved so if it catch fire,
insurance wont pay.

I use Roof De-Icing cable under slate. heat very well :)

[BoidKeeper]

Or you could use the pet store exo-terra stuff. I use them almost exclusively.
Cheers,
Trevor

[mykee]

Icefire; look again, heat tape IS UL listed.

[Jeff_Favelle]

remember Heat tape aren't UL / CSA approved so if it catch fire,
insurance wont pay.

Even if it wasn't UL listed, I'd feel 10,000 TIMES safer with heat tape than I would with heat lamps! Totally.

[FoShizzleDizzle]

Safely wired and insulated that is....

[Icefire]

Well I never saw those tape here in quebec
all the people I talked to said it wasn't listed and wasn't legaly
sold in canada. Don't know if it changed...

I'm happy with my 30feet 150Watts rope. you just need to hape the wire "folded" in 2 (make 15feet double cable) so it heat up
quicker .

[mykee]

Icefire, you spoke to the wrong people.

[sapphire_moon]

ok, I don't know WHERE to get it.

but after wired (there are a few good threads on that in this forum) put it under one end of your snakes cage. Make sure there is something on the ends of the cages to raise it a little to make sure there is air getting underneath there for a little ventaliation (thats what I'VE heard anyways)

you will need a digi thermometer, and a lamp dimmer or rheostat.

If your snakes temps requirements are all the same you should be able to use a lamp dimmer.
I have 3 UTH hooked up to mine

or because heat rises and your lower cage may be cooler than your upper cages, get 3 seperate ones.


Or if wanted you could run it along the back of the cage in one big strip (going from top to bottom) but you would have to insulate it with something.

I'm not to sure on how to do that, but I'm sure someone else will. If set up correctly, and controlled properly, then your heat gradient should be fine.

That is all I know, I'm sure others know tons more about it than me. :)

[Linds]

Originally posted by Icefire
Well I never saw those tape here in quebec
all the people I talked to said it wasn't listed and wasn't legaly
sold in canada. Don't know if it changed...


I believe this was covered in another thread, but I forgot what they said the specific names were. I know Flexwatt itself isn't CSA approved, but that is only flexwatt as a brand, there are brands that are CSA approved. I get mine at PCPC.

[Icefire]

yeah that was what I'm talking about, for me heat tape was only Flexwatt.