flexwatt in melamine enclosure [Archive] - sSNAKESs : Reptile Forum

DeesBalls

10-17-11, 02:01 PM

so i finally figured out how I can put flexwatt in my new cages...

i will take a piece of 11x12'' flexwatt and lay down on the cage floor...

around that i will take about 1'' of melemine and set around the flexwatt...

i will glue/screw/seal the wood pieces (frame) around where the flexwatt will be places...

after that dries/cures.. i will take a piece of plexi glass and lay over the frame work...

screw that down over top of the flex watt so there will be about a 1'' gap between the flexwatt and the plexi....

on the back side of the enclosure i will drill 2 hole for the wiring to go out, and about 4-5 more small holes for the heat ventalation to escape. ...

when i need to change the flex watt, all i have to do is unscrew the screws, and take out flex watt, replace it and re screw it down... :):):) i am so excited i thought about this!! i hope it works... i was also thinking of putting a few holes into the plexi glass for more ventalation,
water wont be a problem since they will be in the BP, corns, and kings cage.. also my BRB but will seal everything really tight for her!!

let me know what you all think of my idea. thanks!

Gungirl

10-17-11, 02:04 PM

Thats actually a great idea! I wish I had thought of it.. I will have to tell my hubby about it..

mykee

10-17-11, 03:28 PM

Wow that seems like a lot of unnecessary work.

infernalis

10-17-11, 04:40 PM

just put down the flex watt and screw down the plexi.

I have heard of some people just using floor tile over the heater with decent results.

DeesBalls

10-17-11, 05:19 PM

Wow that seems like a lot of unnecessary work.

sorry, but not really... wood is cut, just need to screw it down and seal the edges... then lay flex watt and screw down plexi.. seems like alot of work maybe, but wont take no longer than 5 hrs... (just for stuff to dry) maybe a little longer...

just put down the flex watt and screw down the plexi.

I have heard of some people just using floor tile over the heater with decent results.

so ... just flexwatt, then plexi right over it? shouldnt i have some sort of ventelation?

Thats actually a great idea! I wish I had thought of it.. I will have to tell my hubby about it..

thanks !!!!! im excited.. im going to start it tomorrow for my BRB, just to see how much work is actually involved.

i will be using 2 pieces of flex watt with her though, since she will be in a big cage.

infernalis

10-17-11, 05:27 PM

Think about all the flexi attached to racks and glued to poly boxes.

It's supposed to be mildly warm, not hot. If it's hot somethings wrong.

Air only wicks away the heat, so air gaps means heat loss.

Gungirl

10-17-11, 05:33 PM

I have my flexwatt set right on the bottom of my viv and plexi right on top of it. It works great. I don't know much but I thought your way sounded good too......

mykee

10-17-11, 07:41 PM

Flexwatt inside an enclosure regardless of how you do it is a HUGE mistake and terribly dangerous.
Just think about it....

DeesBalls

10-17-11, 08:17 PM

Flexwatt inside an enclosure regardless of how you do it is a HUGE mistake and terribly dangerous.
Just think about it....

can you please elaborate? i am not arguing, just need to learn... thanks!! i see alot of people doing it, i just want to know how to warm the cage safely ... thanks again.

I have my flexwatt set right on the bottom of my viv and plexi right on top of it. It works great. I don't know much but I thought your way sounded good too......

yea, i seen that in your cage thread, its where i got the idea... lol

spots

10-18-11, 09:49 PM

Lil_Boa,
I contacted the manufacture of Flexwatt. They said its best if you don't have air space as you will lose heat. So I would do as infernalis, and Gungirl have said and place the plexi right over the Flexwatt. Gungirl doesn't seem to have had problems with it, and like infernails said its made to be worm not hot.
I'm going to try it with a 1" thick piece of rock over it, to try and create a warm rock on the warm side of my BP viv.
Send some pics once you have it installed so we can see please :)

DeesBalls

10-19-11, 12:01 AM

.... the peices of wood is already in and glued down... i guess i could put the flexwat down and just put the plexi glass down inside the "square" ... that would create no heat loss...

if i did leave a little gap, and have the thermostat set on 94, to give a few degree less off the flexwatt... how much heat would escape? ya know what i mean? if the flex watt is set to 94, could that much heat escape to make it now be warm? i dont want it to be hot, i want it to be warm...

spots

10-19-11, 12:08 AM

Did you glue or just screw? could all ways test it out to see how it work then make modifications! just don't add the air holes like you were thinking. you could all ways fill in the area with the same thickness of wood before your flexwatt?

DeesBalls

10-19-11, 12:20 AM

I glued it lol.... I won't add the extra air holes... ill give this a shot, and if it don't work well, ill switch it up. No harm in trying. We will see what happens, ill post some pics tomorrow if I can.

DeesBalls

10-22-11, 04:37 PM

http://i805.photobucket.com/albums/yy336/DGilliland22/IMAG1735.jpg
http://i805.photobucket.com/albums/yy336/DGilliland22/IMAG1736.jpg
http://i805.photobucket.com/albums/yy336/DGilliland22/IMAG1737.jpg

i didnt have to work tonight, i got called off, so got my flexxwatt laid down, however i still need to:
1. wrap exposed wire with electrical tape(outside of cage, not in)
2. and lay plexi down and screw it in...

i also may take some styrofoam and lay flexwatt on that so the flexxwatt is right against the plexiglass....

spots

10-22-11, 08:37 PM

Nice, keep me posted for how it works. Also are you going to be using a rheostat?

DeesBalls

10-22-11, 08:43 PM

no......

.....
....

thermostat.. lol

eventually when all my cages are all done, my BP will have a thermostat, Corns and cali king will share one, and BRB will have one... not going to risk anything lol.

spots

10-22-11, 08:50 PM

good idea. are you sure 2 viv's should de on one thermostat?

DeesBalls

10-22-11, 09:09 PM

i have heard it will be okay... ... if not, i will get one for each cage, but i feel it should be okay...

millertime89

10-22-11, 09:38 PM

good idea. are you sure 2 viv's should de on one thermostat?

as long as you monitor temps to make sure they're even, yes.

DeesBalls

10-22-11, 10:04 PM

cool, thanks!

Nismo89

10-22-11, 11:11 PM

If you use the same wattage flexwatt it will work just fine on one thermostat as long as the thermostat is capable of the amount of wattage of all the heat tape.

millertime89

10-23-11, 12:15 AM

just remember that variables in the setup can change how the flexwatt affects the temps, a larger enclosure will result in lower temps across the enclosure because it has more air to heat.

Nismo89

10-23-11, 12:18 AM

just remember that variables in the setup can change how the flexwatt affects the temps, a larger enclosure will result in lower temps across the enclosure because it has more air to heat.

True that. I just forget to mention that because I'm using the same size enclosures. I'm pretty sure he is using it all on 4x2x2 though too.

millertime89

10-23-11, 12:42 AM

yup, just pointing it out as something to consider.

DeesBalls

10-24-11, 07:30 PM

True that. I just forget to mention that because I'm using the same size enclosures. I'm pretty sure he is using it all on 4x2x2 though too.

3 will be 4x2x2 (bearded dragon, BRB, and black blood (eventually))

rest will be 3x16x1 for corns, king, and BP.

mykee

10-24-11, 07:41 PM

"can you please elaborate? i am not arguing, just need to learn... thanks!! i see alot of people doing it, i just want to know how to warm the cage safely''
No offense but do I really need to elaborate or is there a point where plain old common sense kicks in?
Water plus electricity.....

millertime89

10-24-11, 07:52 PM

No offense but do I really need to elaborate or is there a point where plain old common sense kicks in?
Water plus electricity.....

when sealed correctly this shouldn't be a problem. That said, whose to know if its sealed correctly.

DeesBalls

10-24-11, 07:57 PM

No offense but do I really need to elaborate or is there a point where plain old common sense kicks in?
Water plus electricity.....

Its going to be sealed... no water can get it, plus if it does, the flexwat wiring is all covered and sealed off too... :)

mykee

10-25-11, 09:51 AM

Willing to risk your house on that?
Good luck.

DeesBalls

10-25-11, 10:15 AM

Willing to risk your house on that?
Good luck.

yes i am, Thanks.

there will be no electrical in the cage, it will be ALL OUTSIDE OF CAGE, the wiring clips where it was soldered will be 1/2 in, 1/2 out, but it is covered in electrical tape, and then i just put a heavy layer of liquid tape around it.

plus it will be under plexi glass with sealent all around it, also screwed down....

thanks for your concern, im pretty sure ill be fine,

DeesBalls

10-25-11, 01:09 PM

Okay, well i got the flex watt laid down, and taped down with aluminum foil tape, then i laid down the plexiglass, and screwed it down, then used clear silicon to seal around it.. going to put more around the plexi glass after this dries... i also put some underneath the plexiglass so it seals underneath it.... the only thing im sort of worried about is that, the plexi glass sags a bit bc i didnt put enough support on the back side... but should be fine... let me know what you think.

http://i805.photobucket.com/albums/yy336/DGilliland22/IMAG1746.jpg
http://i805.photobucket.com/albums/yy336/DGilliland22/IMAG1747.jpg
http://i805.photobucket.com/albums/yy336/DGilliland22/IMAG1748.jpg
http://i805.photobucket.com/albums/yy336/DGilliland22/IMAG1749.jpg
http://i805.photobucket.com/albums/yy336/DGilliland22/IMAG1751.jpg

My Helper: lol
http://i805.photobucket.com/albums/yy336/DGilliland22/IMAG1750.jpg

Gungirl

10-25-11, 03:28 PM

Watch out your snake might enjoy rubbing on the sharp edge of the plexi that you left sticking out... If I was doing it your way I would have cut the plexi to fit into the wood frame or at least be even with it...

DeesBalls

10-25-11, 05:38 PM

Its cut off... i trimed it and filed it down.

Gungirl

10-25-11, 05:44 PM

Ahh ok then... should be fine as long as you sealed it well.

DeesBalls

10-25-11, 06:18 PM

Ahh ok then... should be fine as long as you sealed it well.

oh i did.. lol ALOT of silicon!!! i just put more on. maybe do 1 more layer, and them im giong to pain the inside with spray pain, (just over the silicon and some oopsies) and she will be going into it probably next week...

Nos

10-25-11, 06:31 PM

thats the exact same thing i did in my snakes cage and helped my buddy do the same thing only i didnt use flexwatt, we used heating pads worked great. will be buying some flexwatt for my next build.

DeesBalls

10-25-11, 06:54 PM

thats the exact same thing i did in my snakes cage and helped my buddy do the same thing only i didnt use flexwatt, we used heating pads worked great. will be buying some flexwatt for my next build.

glad to hear that man, i keep having ppl say it wont work and its dangerous... you have any problems yet?

spots

10-26-11, 08:04 AM

looking good LiL_Boa. So where is this place you get your flexwatt from? have you tested it out yet to see if the air space makes a difference?

Gungirl

10-26-11, 08:45 AM

I have been running flexwatt sealed under plexi in my BP's viv for months now and have yet to have anything but great results. I just did it a little differently than you did. Still should work good though.

mykee

10-26-11, 09:14 AM

I'm with Kat here, though I don't have a build like yours, I've seen the more enterprising keepers simply router out the underside of the melamine where the heat tape will go to allow for better heat transfer to the animal; so instead of 5/8" thick where the heat tape is, it's 1/2" or even 3/8" thick above the heat tape. And there is no fear of water and electricity ever coming in contact with each other, as well, should something happen to the heat tape, it's a HELL of a lot easier to repair or replace than what you've done.
Good luck.

DeesBalls

10-26-11, 09:50 AM

looking good LiL_Boa. So where is this place you get your flexwatt from? have you tested it out yet to see if the air space makes a difference?

i get my flex watt from reptile basics... its like $3.10 per foot for an 11'' wide piece, its really nice place... im testing it out now... :) hope it works, if now, im taking the whole thing down and doing it with out the elevation...

I have been running flexwatt sealed under plexi in my BP's viv for months now and have yet to have anything but great results. I just did it a little differently than you did. Still should work good though.

if you could get me some pics on how you do this, i would be greatly appriciated!! i want to do it this way for my 33x16x12'' cages... since they are only going to be 1 foot high!

I'm with Kat here, though I don't have a build like yours, I've seen the more enterprising keepers simply router out the underside of the melamine where the heat tape will go to allow for better heat transfer to the animal; so instead of 5/8" thick where the heat tape is, it's 1/2" or even 3/8" thick above the heat tape. And there is no fear of water and electricity ever coming in contact with each other, as well, should something happen to the heat tape, it's a HELL of a lot easier to repair or replace than what you've done.
Good luck.

I do agree, Kats way may be better, but i will make sure i do everything right, and i will be testing it out too with water (the cage is outside now) to see if there will be any problems with water, if there is.. ill rip out the whole thing, sand everything off the melemine, and just go with a heat lamp on the top like i was going to. i have everything sealed, and to replace, i just need to take out 4 screws and take off tape.... not too bad. the sealent i use doesnt dry hard, when it dries its like rubbery, so i can still get the plexi off. :)

Gungirl

10-26-11, 10:02 AM

Ok here are a few Photo's I was able to snap. I just don't have a good shot at the back. All we did was cut out just enough wood along the back to slide the flexwatt in and after we layed the plexi over it sealed everything with Aquarium sealant
http://i1228.photobucket.com/albums/ee454/KAMacie/DSCF0304.jpg
http://i1228.photobucket.com/albums/ee454/KAMacie/DSCF0305.jpg
http://i1228.photobucket.com/albums/ee454/KAMacie/DSCF0306.jpg
http://i1228.photobucket.com/albums/ee454/KAMacie/DSCF0157.jpg
And here is one of the proud owner of this viv
http://i1228.photobucket.com/albums/ee454/KAMacie/DSCF0309.jpg

Hope this helps feel free to ask me anything you want.

DeesBalls

10-26-11, 10:27 AM

So you just cut a small slit in the back to slide the flex watt in? Did you cut a small groove from the bottom of the viv to set the flexwatt in? Or is it directly on top of the viv with the plexi over it?

This was does look a lot better, I will admit, just wanted to try something different. Thanks!

Gungirl

10-26-11, 10:48 AM

We cut a slit along the bottom back of the viv the same level as the piece of wood we used for the bottom. We did not cut into the floor of the viv at all. We placed the plexi right on top and sealed it down. If something goes wrong with the flexwatt we can slide it out the back of the viv replace it and slide the new piece in. ( It will be a PITA to do but It can be done).

DeesBalls

10-26-11, 10:53 AM

That is for sure what I'm going to door next cages... awesome idea!!!

Gungirl

10-26-11, 10:55 AM

Thanks! I'm glad to be of assistance.

millertime89

10-26-11, 12:42 PM

so many great ideas, I don't know if I should use a RHP or flexwatt when I build my viv.

lady_bug87

10-26-11, 12:44 PM

awesome builds I cant wait to start mine its going to save a ton of money especially on the big tanks

Gungirl

10-26-11, 01:19 PM

so many great ideas, I don't know if I should use a RHP or flexwatt when I build my viv.

Depends on the animal being kept in it and the size of the viv along with the average temp of the house it will be in. I use both an RHP and Flexwatt in the enclosure I posted pictures of. I was having a hard time keeping the ambient air temp high enough with just the flexwatt and seeing as I like my house cool/cold I added an RHP to set his ambient temp right. Play with one you can always add another. Just try and do all this before putting the snake in.

DeesBalls

10-26-11, 01:26 PM

Thanks! I'm glad to be of assistance.

:) thanks again!!

i luckily and my snake room doesnt get cool air, or warm wait in it, has no vents... so it stays around 85 day and 70 or so night... i will be adding a little personal heater for the room:)

Gungirl

10-26-11, 01:28 PM

That should be good. My house rarely gets much over 65 due to us liking it cool rather than warm. I also don't have a snake room at the moment. They are kept in my bedroom so I have no option to heat the entire room. I would never sleep!

DeesBalls

10-26-11, 02:46 PM

haha i need it hot... usually like my house set to around 74, but the wife likes it at 69:( those 5 degrees really makes me cold! lol

any way, just checked my enclosure, the plexi is barley warm, and its been on since 12:15 today when i left for school....

Gungirl

10-26-11, 02:52 PM

The plexi shouldn't feel hot to you.. do you have a temp gun? If so what does that read on the plexi?

DeesBalls

10-26-11, 03:19 PM

no temp gun yet, was going to grab on at the expo, but they guy ran out... i have thermometer on it now... at 1st it seems warms, then cool right away, i understand that my body temp is 98.6 so my hands should be i would guess around 94-95, so it wont feel warm to me i suppose...

spots

10-26-11, 03:45 PM

Gungirl

10-26-11, 03:50 PM

Wow Kat thats super nice. I'm liking that idea of being able to slide a new flexwatt in if needed, also that the connectors are out side of the tank. (lot's of thought put into that, VERY NICE)
So your plexi is raised of the bottom of the viv just to allow the flexwatt and a little space ?

We wired the flexwatt, slid it into the viv. Placed the plexi on top of it and sealed it with Aquarium sealant. I did NOT raise the plexi up in any way. Just left it sitting on top of the flexwatt. You can see some other pics in my thread
http://www.ssnakess.com/forums/enclosure-reptile-room-showcase/88383-building-another-1-thought-i-would-share.html
I will be updating this thread really soon too!

DeesBalls

10-26-11, 04:25 PM

Gungirl

10-26-11, 04:39 PM

her idea is better then mine, i will admit that.. lol ...

Hehe thanks.. I thought you had a good Idea too!

DeesBalls

10-26-11, 04:47 PM

Hehe thanks.. I thought you had a good Idea too!

Thanks, i do like my idea, but starting to think yours is better, i will keep my idea with this cage, and prolly go with yours next cages... :)

mykee

10-26-11, 08:08 PM

So many fire hazards in so few posts.
I'll keep my fingers crossed for both of you.

DeesBalls

10-26-11, 08:31 PM

So many fire hazards in so few posts.
I'll keep my fingers crossed for both of you.

whatever mykee....
I am assuming you have racks, since your a breeder... do you have any enclosures? if so... how are they heated???

as for the enclosure... i had the heat tape on all day, and the thermometer only reads 68 degrees. so not too sure what is going on or what , but i will be more than likely taking that all out, and putting a CHE in.

DeesBalls

10-26-11, 09:10 PM

spots

10-26-11, 10:14 PM

JUST AN UPDATE...

i just went out and checked, the thermometer said 68.8... felt the plexi and it was cold...

so is this maybe because it is outside? is there too big of a gap between the flexwatt and plexi that the heat is not getting there....???

i think tomorrow i will cave in a take that whole thing out (exept maybe the wood frame)), i could put the water dish in there for some stability...

any way, i will be probably using CHE or a heat light... she will be getting a "pool"/Humid hide, so humidity wont be a problem...

for my smaller cages i will be using Gungirls idea :)

I use heat lights, and i only had a problem with humidity when i was using paper towel for substrate due to a injury :( now that i have the repti bark in it holds a constant 60%. With misting every morning.
Holes in the back i covered with plexi glass, and top lid closes and locks, screen between living area and lights.
http://i549.photobucket.com/albums/ii396/Jlangan1/IMG_8843.jpg

DeesBalls

10-26-11, 10:43 PM

That is an awesome cage!!!! Very nice 1st of all, I will be putting using a heat light till I get a che, then I will use one of those, I'm thinking a 60 watt will be okay.

Can't do the light idea like you did because ill have another 4x2x2 on top.

spots

10-26-11, 11:01 PM

you could still put that on top if you wanted. it would get radiant heat from the lower cage.
No matter what way you go it up to you :) i chose this way as i have set up other vivs like this for people i know. I'm thinking in the future i will build a similar one but instead of 4'wx3'hx18" i'm going to make 2@ 4'x2'x18" for my bp's and make this one for some kinda of climbing snake. (undecided what)

Gungirl

10-27-11, 05:24 AM

So many fire hazards in so few posts.
I'll keep my fingers crossed for both of you.

I sealed my very well.. you could actually fill my viv with water and still run the flexwatt and not have any issues.

DeesBalls

10-27-11, 10:29 PM

i just put a 75w heat light in it... have the electrical all nice and taped up. I am sure no humidity can get into electrical, (it is not the same typel of lighting i used on bearded dragon cage) i had the light on all day, only got up to 70... then to find out it probably because its 40 degrees outside and raining... :( me not so smart sometime :P ... lol oh well, just need a light guard and some substrate, and ill be good...

Gungirl, thanks again for your help and the idea i will be using for the smaller cages, but with the 4x2x2's i will be sticking to heat light (then che after they go) all in a warm room :)

mykee

11-03-11, 08:42 AM

"whatever mykee....
I am assuming you have racks, since your a breeder... do you have any enclosures? if so... how are they heated??"

Snake Rack (http://www.strictlyballs.ca/snakerack.htm)

I'll add that with all the health issues and such that you've had over the last 6 months or so, that you would be more open to other peoples opinions as your ideas are clearly not working.

DeesBalls

11-03-11, 09:19 AM

Snake Rack (http://www.strictlyballs.ca/snakerack.htm)

I'll add that with all the health issues and such that you've had over the last 6 months or so, that you would be more open to other peoples opinions as your ideas are clearly not working.

heath issues? ive had no health issues at all.... thanks for your concern though... and if you read a few of the last posts, you will see i didnt put the flex watt in the melamine...

the only problems ive had is mites, (got from an expo) and a huge peak in heat in my rack, witch i fixed with ventilation holes... all my snakes eat, shed, pee and poop just fine and have so every since i got them... with exception to my adult BP who isn't eating... so please let me know of the "health issues" ive had, thanks

oh yea, and if i were using a rack like you have there, your flexwatt would be a great idea.. since im not, it really doesnt help, but thanks for letting me see...