Heat pads!

[Grant vg]

I personally dont like using heating devices not made for reptile use...
i've never used a human heating pad and probably never will for my repttiles.
Except for keeping my toes warm in the winter months while sleeping...lol
But other then that, i like to play it "safe".

Thats not to say it wont work, but i would hate to have something go wrong and have a human heating pad to blame.


If you DO Decide to go with a under tank heater.... i have had good success with the Hagen/exoterra heat pads.
Ive had them running for years with no problem and they are removable as i dont peel the sheet covering the sticky end.

Heat tapes good too as Mykee mentioned and its very affordable.

But with your situation by the sounds of it, the safest method would be over head heating.
Either purchase some heat panels or wire some lights in.

Goodluck!

gvg

[MouseKilla]

I don't have any reason to think that there is anything safer about a heat pad made specifically for heating reptile cages, if anything I would think that the standards for heaters made to be used on humans would be higher. Both types carry the UL or CSA logo so I'm comfortable either way. Besides, we're talking about something that, on the lowest setting heats up to a maximum of less than 100 F (inside the enclosure) which is relatively low when you think about it, not many substances will ignite at that low of a temperature nor will it harm your snake.

About the rack thing, I wouldn't use a pile of human heat pads for that either. For racking I agree that Flexwatt is the way to go and on this scale it would likely be cheaper. I use heat pads exclusively to heat individual medium to large enclosures.

[marisa]

I am with Mousekilla simply because I haven't had anyone explain to me why something made for reptiles heating wise would be safer than something made for human use. Some have suggested "they aren't made to be on all the time" but a reptile heating pad and a human one, how much different are these put together from a electronics stand point really? Maybe, I am not sure. I have just never had anyone explain a reason to me showing me why. I am thinking about having a electrician rip one of each apart to see any "differances" that make one safer over another. Maybe someone else could do this as well if they know something with the skills to see what is what and assess safety issues.

In either case, my heating pads are not constantly on and turn off and on depending on the temp as I use a thermastat.

I also don't recomend them for anything but one snake at a time sort of thing. They aren't that cost effective for a rack and heat tape is the way to go there.

Marisa

[V.hb]

The heating element in my case, was initially for heating large amounts of dirt for some burrowing lizards.

[HeatherK]

Originally posted by marisa
I haven't had anyone explain to me why something made for reptiles heating wise would be safer than something made for human use. Some have suggested "they aren't made to be on all the time" but a reptile heating pad and a human one, how much different are these put together from a electronics stand point really?

That's my thing, too. I really can't see where the difference would be. Any time you use a heating device, safety is always an issue anyway.

Looking through the pet stores, there's always products made and slapped a higher price on, when you can get basically the same thing cheaper from somewhere else, not "made for reptiles". Clamp lamps are another thing, (even cricket water ) I'm even seeing clay saucers for water dishes at the stores, no different than the others, and as would be assumed, they are ridiculously priced.