3" or 11" heat tape?

[Bartman]

Im looking to get from 87-92 degrees in my rack depending on height. I want to ball pythons to be at the top where it will be more warm at around 90-92 and the corns will need around 86-88.

Which heat tape would I need to achieve this temperature. Would 3" be adequate or would I need the 11"

http://www.bigappleherp.com/Reptile_Supplies/Product/Heat_Tape_119105.html

This is where I plan to get it off.

[Tim_Cranwill]

The temperature depends on how you regulate it. You'll need some sort of temperature conrolling device.

The difference between the two sizes are: Wattage and Warm-Spot Size. The 11" draws more wattage but it also provides a larger basking area.

[Bartman]

Im going to most likely hook it up to a dimmer. Thats all you need to regulate the temp right?

Whats the difference between a thermostat and dimmer.

[Tim_Cranwill]

A dimmer just controlls how much power goes to the tape. It has no idea what the temperature is. So it basically will just raise the temperature X degrees above room temp.

A thermostat will regulate the tape to provide a set temperature either by turning the heat tape on and off or by pulsing. It will have a probe that should be placed on the basking spot. That way your basking spot WILL BE the temperature it needs to be.

Dimmers work... but thermostats work better. :)

[marisa]

Agreed. With a dimmer you're going to be constantly moving it up or down when the room temp changes.

Marisa

[Bartman]

How much do thermostat's usually go for? Does quality (more expensive less expensive) matter or will they both keep the temps up?

[Tim_Cranwill]

Quality ALWAYS matters. If it didn't, the more expensie ones would just be less expensive. You get what you pay for. If you get one of the $30 ones on that site (Big Apple), it will do a fine job.

[Bartman]

Thanks for the help everyone! I have a friend who is going to order this stuff for me, so no water bed heater :D

[Vengeance]

Another point of mention, some of the more expensive thermostats have built in alarms that if things get too hot, it sounds off an alarm and after a period of time shuts it's self off. Since you were worried about fire in your previous post it makes sense to go with a more expensive unit so you can worry less about starting a fire.

[mykee]

3", 4" or 11" will all get you the temps you want. It's up to you what percentage of the floor space you want covered with heat.

[Bruce]

I plan to have 3 to 4 seperate cage set ups for my boas. I've seen
thermostat setups for controlling heat for up to 4 cages. The prices, around the $500 mark, seem high. Is there a safe but cheaper alternative?

Bruce:)

[K1LOS]

how bout 4 cheaper thermostats? If the $30 thermostat at bigapple is decent like mentioned earlier then you could just do 4x$30=$120. Boom cheaper.

Geoff

[Bruce]

And run the theromstats into a surge protector? You're right.
Thanks for the info.