Heat tape

[Wolfus_305]

Hi everybody,

so I am looking into getting some new snakes, ball pythons (they are SO addictive) and I heard about heat tape.

I have found some enclosures that I like (but am debating size still.
option 1: 48"L x 24"W x 16"H
option 2: 48"L x 24"W x 12"H )

Could somebody give me an overview of how heat tape works? the cages i'm looking at do not have it pre-installed and i've never used it or met anybody that does. How do you know how much you need to maintain your temps? Do you need to use a thermostat with it or does it just plug in?

any tips/comments would be greatly appreciated
Thanks
Kendra :)

[stephanbakir]

Wish i had used it so i could help, if the heat tape doesn't come with a thermostat i'd add one for sure.

[Wolfus_305]

Point noted. thank you :)


Just a little addition to my question(s) above:
so if i get the heat tape and a thermostat will one thermostat be able to control the two cages?

[stephanbakir]

Some thermostats can, some cant.

[Wolfus_305]

hmm ok, i've done some more research. some websites are saying to put the heat tape on the inside of the cage, while others are saying to put it on the outside...

if it's on the inside isn't it like a heat mat and the snake could get burned? but if it's on the outside isn't it a "fire hazard"? (to use my dads words)

I appreciate any tips, websites or advice you guys can give me, i've never used heat tape before

[stephanbakir]

It really depends on the product in question, if you give us a link to the product in question we might be able to better answer your question.

[Jenn_06]

ok if your talking about flexwatt Flexwatt Heat Tape (http://www.reptilebasics.com/flexwatt-heat-tape) you put it under the cage not in the cage and you need a thermostat like Ranco Ranco ETC-111000 Pre Wired - Reptile Basics Inc (http://www.reptilebasics.com/ranco-etc-111000-pre-wired) you can use it for more the one cage but they are going to be around the same temp. i use herpstat pro because i have snakes that need different temp and the herpstat will let me control 4 different temps.

hope that helps a little.

[Wolfus_305]

Thanks, that actually helped a lot :)

Is there some way to know how much tape you need to heat your cage?

and yes, i'm thinking about flexwatt, i have a bulb in my other tank and was thinking of trying something new

[Jay]

sorry off topic are you still looking for a new home for you carpet ?

[Jenn_06]

how big it the cage and what kind of snake are you going to put in it?

[Wolfus_305]

ahah off topic is fine, i'm usually the one who gets everybody off topic.
Nope, I thought you wanted her, so i stopped looking.... i think i clicked the sold it button in the classifieds. is something wrong?

[Wolfus_305]

Hi Jenn

I am getting two ball pythons. I am considering two tank sizes:
option 1: 48"L x 24"W x 16"H
option 2: 48"L x 24"W x 12"H )

but then i heard that 36L would be fine as well (even for the female, because I am pretty sure females are larger than males)

[Jay]

ahah off topic is fine, i'm usually the one who gets everybody off topic.
Nope, I thought you wanted her, so i stopped looking.... i think i clicked the sold it button in the classifieds. is something wrong?
everything is good lol just figured if you wanted more snakes you didnt wat to get rid of one lol
i just finished staining her cage and i now have one big empty cage

[Jenn_06]

so you housing one or two snakes in the tank.

i have a 36L for my smaller boas and i use 1ft of the 11' flexwatt for the 48L i would use the same.

[Wolfus_305]

Aahah I am still getting rid of her. I can't care for her properly because she's way too aggressive for me. I don't have the experience yet that I would need to deal with her.
I'm sure she'll like her cage :)
I'm trying to figure out how to get her in her travel box to bring her to you. :P

[Jay]

walmart has long tubs not that expensive lids dont secure so a little duct tape will be a must lol or a big pillow case.
i use my duffel bag with a towel inside with 5 or 6 bottles of hot water

[Wolfus_305]

Jenn

Each snake will get it's own tank, I heard it stressed them out to keep them together.
So you think that a 36L would be fine for a female ball? (not arguing, just clarifying to make sure i understand)
:)

[Wolfus_305]

Jay, mhmm I have a nice box for her. the issue is getting her out of her home and into her box. as soon as she hears the locks or you walk by she starts striking..

[Jenn_06]

yeah a 36L its going to be a great size, just think breeder keep there females in smaller tubs.

[Jenn_06]

sounds like you need to wear gloves and get a hook. my rat snake is like that and i just put a snake bag over its head and grab it.

[stephanbakir]

Stress isn't the only reason not to keep them together, possible transfer of diseases and just the fact that if you find signs of someone being sick, you don't know whom it came from.

[Wolfus_305]

exactly, i just think it's better for both of them to be kept separate :)

Thank you jenn! you've been so helpful! i really appreciate it :)

ahahah her tank isn't the most convenient. it's on top of our piano, so i need to stand on the dining room table to reach it and it opens on top... horrible set up, i know.

[Marica]

Since BP's are mostly ground dwellers Option 2 should be fine, unless you want the extra height for decorations, etc. It is usually recommended that your UTH source should cover approx. 1/4 to 1/3 of your cage, so an 11" piece should suffice for either a 36" or 48" long tank like Jenn mentioned above. 2 suppliers I'm familiar with are Cornelsworld (http://www.cornelsworld.com/heattape.htm) who will wire Flexwatt for you and NGM Exotics (http://www.ngmexotics.com/heating.php) who sell Ultratherms of which the Viv Mat 30 would suit your tanks. FYI...the wiring on Flexwatt connects along a short side and will come out the back of the tank, whereas Ultratherms are along the the long side so the wiring would come out from the side of the tank. Assuming the tanks you are looking at are glass you could either adhere the heat tape to the underside of them or the surface you are placing the tanks on top of. As for thermostats you could go for a cheap (price wise) on/off like the Repti-Temp 500R which is sold in most pet stores, or a higher end proportional like a Herpstat (the basic model). Both can be used to regulate 2 heating devices, though as there is only one probe both setups (tank and heating devices) must be the same otherwise you risk one heating device getting much hotter/cooler than the other.

[Wolfus_305]

Thank Marica!

PowerHouse Displays - Products (http://www.powerhousedisplays.com/products3.html) if you scroll down and click reptile cages those are the ones I am looking at. It opens a pdf so i didn't know how to post that directly.

The only reason i was considering the extra height would be if the heat tape didn't work sufficiently and I need to put in a bulb because it would need a guard.

I will definitely get a thermostat of some kind. Just looking into which ones I want. I would only be using if for the two BP's so the temps could be the same. with the probe issue are you saying that as long as the probe is in one tank and both are set to be at the same temps everything should be fine?

Thank you!
Kendra

[Jendee]

I agree with Jenn..I have 48x24x12's with 11'' flexxwatt underneath the cage, works great!!

[Wolfus_305]

Jendee
Thanks! glad to know somebody else has it and it works! is it safe to stack the tanks (the tanks themselves are stackable, i'm more concerned about the heat tape)

[Jendee]

yup mine are stacked 6 high

[Wolfus_305]

ohhh I wish i could afford to have that many :P
thank you for your help and input!

[Wolfus_305]

sorry, just thought of another question.
because this is my first time using bottom heat what would be a good substrate to use? and is there anything i need to be careful about?

[Jenn_06]

you can use what every substrate you want.

[citysnakes]

Wolfy, why not go with rubbermaids. then you can afford more enclosures for more snakes... ;)

[Wolfus_305]

ahah touche!
it crossed my mind. I figure i'll get these, make sure i like the heat tape and everything. the snakes kind of have to live in the dining room at my parents house... so unfortunately presentation is a key part of it. When I finallllllly have a room for my snakeys (maybe some renos while my family is away for summer? :P) then I can change to rubbermaids and get looooooots of snakes :)

[Wolfus_305]

I was about to purchase my flexwatt 11" heat tape and a thought crossed my mind:

my enclosure is wooden. it's got a layer of plastic over the wood, under the substrate so it's easier to clean. it also sits flat on my desk.

Will I need to prop it up a bit for air circulation? Is it still ok to use heat tape on a wooden enclosure?

Thank youu!

[stephanbakir]

Heat tape on wood is fine, flexwat generally goes inside the enclosure. Air circulation under the enclosure is always a good thing.

[citysnakes]

flexwatt inside the enclosure is extremely dangerous. please dont do it...

[stephanbakir]

Wow, just read what I wrote... sorry for that TERRIBLE advice. It can go inside, but its best to wire it up the back, less efficiency but it has an increased life span. If you wire it under the tubs, every time you pull the tub in and out it rubs against the tape and it shortens the lifespan considerably.

[Wolfus_305]

His enclosure is wood and it doesn't get moved. I open the doors and take the things out that I need. As long as there is air circulation under the enclosure I can put the heattape outside and underneath? (just clarifying)

[mykee]

"Heat tape on wood is fine, flexwat generally goes inside the enclosure"
Tsk tsk Stephan! I'm disappointed....

[stephanbakir]

Brain fart, what can I say:P I'm just glad city caught the mistake!