Heat Pad or Heat Tape?

[SadisticPsycho]

I've already posted a thread asking what it was and the website I was given didn't help me that much. But here's a picture of what I have. I just want to know if it's heat tape or a heat pad.

Thanks

http://img6.exs.cx/img6/8194/heat.jpg

[concept3]

that would be a heat pad :)

[SadisticPsycho]

Okay, thanks! >XD I wasn't sure because it had a paper on the back and if you remove it, it would look like tape.

Instead of removing this backing, what kind of tape could I use to stick it to the tank? (Eg. duct tape, cable tape, etc) Or should I not stick it to the tank?

[rwg]

I use duct tape for mine.

Roy

[mykee]

ACTUALLY, that's a heat pad ripped apart. Inside all heat pads, UTH's, and such is essentially a piece of heat tape. So your answer is: heat tape.

[SadisticPsycho]

So now it's heat tape? @_@ Uhh.. okay.

[marisa]

Heat tape is this:

http://www.beanfarm.com/heating/2.html

Scroll down and you will see it. In rolls, different sizes. Heat tape is something you must wire yourself and it does not come pre made.

Heating pads are simply heating pads. They do not come in rolls and are already put together.

What you have above is what mykee said. A heat tape ripped apart showing whats inside, I would assume its also dangerous to use that way.

Marisa

[Invictus]

It's not heat tape Mykee. It doesn't come in various lengths, and you do not have to wire it yourself. The pic above is how the ExoTerra heat pads look. They have an adhesive backing to stick to the enclosure. Although I suppose in theory, they are the same.

[Shad0w]

Thats just an Exoterra UTH.. thats all.. :)

Perfectly safe!

[marisa]

Here is a helpful link

http://www.ssnakess.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=39153

I have never used Exo terra heat pads as they are a waste of money IMHO so to me that looked like the insides of a heat pad. I am surprised the exo terra pads are so open.

Marisa

[SadisticPsycho]

Oh good. I didn't think it was heat tape ripped apart because it had Exoterra on it. Well thanks, so it's safe to use duct tape to stick it to the cage without causing a fire?

[Shad0w]

they are not exactly open.. they are sealed with a clear plastic.. thats all :)

Besides.. exoterra heat pads can be had pretty cheap if ya look in the right places :D

Yea perfectly safe to tape to the bottom of the cage.. .better to do that than use the adhesive thats on it... at least then its removable.. use either aluminum heat tape or duct tape

[marisa]

It depends on your cage. What is it? Wood? Tank?

And all heat sources need something to control the heat. A thermastat or dimmer. As well as a thermometer to make sure the temps are correct. (not a dial one)

Marisa

[SadisticPsycho]

I have a glass tank. And where do I get this thermostat/dimmer thingy?

[marisa]

Well you can get them at pet stores, reptile stores, online stores and sometimes hardware stores. Building your own is also possible.

Marisa

[Shad0w]

For an exoterra, I would use a thermostat...

For ideas of thermostats check out this link:

http://www.ssnakess.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=58574

I also use those thermostats :) They can be had at PCPets for $30 to $40... They can control up to 300 watts of heating elements...

Besides.. one thing you want to consider before you wire your own stuff is the risk of fire...

For instance Ive talked to my home insurance company.. and Im fine with my home insurance as long as I dont wire my own heat tape or thermostat/dimmer...

Thats why I use Exoterras, RHP's and commercially baught thermostats.

so if yer a home owner.. thats something to consider before you wire yer own electrical :)

[marisa]

Maybe the best idea is for you to tell us what you are trying to do.

What animal are you trying to heat?
What size and type enclosure?

Tell us that and we can tell you what you need exactly and how to set it up.

Marisa

[SadisticPsycho]

I have whatever's in the picture. I am housing a Ball Python in a 33 gallon. I live in an apt. The tank is going on a steel shelf with wooden shelves. The heat pad is going to be taped under the tank on the warm side. The tank won't be resting on the cord. The heat pad will be about an inch away from the wooden shelves. The tape I will be using is duct tape... anymore information you need? :o

[Shad0w]

ah that setup will be perfect... I use a similar setup for a corn

[SadisticPsycho]

Thanks! XD

[reptiguy420]

I was just curious if any of you have ever used heat rope before?Likes?Dislikes?Just curious if it was as effective as heat tape. Thanks

[reptiguy420]

Didnt realize there was a thread pertaining to this;)

[marisa]

All you need to do is make sure the temps aren't too hot as those pads get well above the temp needed by ball pythons. And get something to control the heat. If your house gets warmer one day, the temps will rise creating a hazard which is why thermastats are so important.

Marisa

[Shad0w]

Marisa is absolutely right... dont cheap out.. throw that thing on a thermostat!

If you dont.. I bet U cook yer ball python ...esp on a hot summer day

[SadisticPsycho]

I have plastic thermometres that I got from the pet store. I am putting one on the warm side and one on the cool side. I also have a hydrometre... Is this good enough? I know a friend who has a healthy male ball python (4 feet) and eating well. She just has an undertank heater, repticarpet, 1 hide, 1 water dish, and 1 plastic thermometre that I have. Is going out and buying a $50 thermostat really necessary? I don't really have tons of money and my friend didn't and hers is fine...

Well, thanks for your help.

[Shad0w]

Its up to u.. but realize yer taking a pretty big risk.. esp during the summer months...

If you cant afford it now.. I would save some money and get one before the warm weather is here...

[SadisticPsycho]

Originally posted by Shad0w
Its up to u.. but realize yer taking a pretty big risk.. esp during the summer months...

If you cant afford it now.. I would save some money and get one before the warm weather is here...

But isn't the plastic thermometres good enough? @_@ On almost all of the caresheets I've looked at, they say they're fine.

[marisa]

Those plastic ones from the pet store are crap and are not accurate. You can get accurate digital ones at walmart for 12 bucks.

Your friend can do whatever she wants obviously. The problem arises when temps in room raise or lower. The heat pads do NOT adjust they just keep putting off heat. Even five degrees in room temp can cause a very dangerous situation with a uncontrolled heating device.

Snakes can be burnt but mostly you can easily have a fire hazard on your hands.

It's everyones choice to be as safe as they feel with their home and their animals. For me, 50 bucks is not too much to spend to eliminate that much more risk.

Marisa

[marisa]

BTW Thermometers are thermastats are not the same thing.

Thermometer just measure the temp and let you know where it sits.

Thermastats plug into the heating device and control how much heat/how hot the hot spot is regardless of the temps in the room.

Marisa

[SadisticPsycho]

If there are good thermometres at Walmart for $12 I'll be able to get that. Thanks

[marisa]

This is a poorly drawn example of how to properly set up an enclosure without skimping on the essentials. Snake keeping is not cheap and when you try to make it that way, you create problems.

<img src="http://8snakes.myftp.org/marisa/example.jpg">

As you can see, the heat source (heat pad drawn in red with blue cords) is plugged into a thermastat (green) which is plugged into the wall. This has its own probe (green going into enclosure) to regulate the temp on the hot spot.

On top of this you have your thermometer with its probe sitting on the hot spot letting you know your heating device and thermastat are working properly and the temps are correct. (thermometer in yellow)

Marisa

[Shad0w]

Hahahhah... bravo Marisa :)
Love the drawing :)

But seriously.. she is right... dont cheap out on keeping your heat sources under control.... small price to pay!

[BOAS_N_PYTHONS]

EVERYONE:

Some info here.

PRESS HERE (http://www.ssnakess.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=58574)

Cya...

Tony