Instead of using radiant heat panels or heat lamps with plastic enclosures...

[Mikoh4792]

such as boaphile, animal plastics, pvc cages, can you use under tank heaters such as zoo-med, exoterra...etc? Does it heat the cage efficiently?

[possum]

I use & trust Flexwatt (UTH) on my pair of Prolines....works just fine, though it MUST be regulated (thermostat or rheostat) or you will have a melt-down/fire. And some of those (Zoo-Med I think?) tend to overheat big-time so be careful. But yes, it heats efficiently...it's easier to heat those enclosed plastic cages than glass tanks, which is what I mostly use it on (I am mostly into colubrids these days).

[Mikoh4792]

Originally Posted by possum

I use & trust Flexwatt (UTH) on my pair of Prolines....works just fine, though it MUST be regulated (thermostat or rheostat) or you will have a melt-down/fire. And some of those (Zoo-Med I think?) tend to overheat big-time so be careful. But yes, it heats efficiently...it's easier to heat those enclosed plastic cages than glass tanks, which is what I mostly use it on (I am mostly into colubrids these days).

Same here. I have a passion for kings and corns. I always use thermostats, If I were to use an UTH on my plastic cage I have a helix thermostat I have not opened that is in storage.

The reason I ask is because plastic cages seem to have thicker walls than glass, and is also harder to heat. I just thought that it would take more actual heat from the pad to get the same temperatures, resulting in heat high enough to melt the plastic just so I can get 85-90F inside the cage.

When you say flexwatt do you mean the tape version, or is there an actual flexwatt pad?

[Terranaut]

Flexwatt is sold by the foot. It comes on a roll in various widths.

[possum]

Originally Posted by mikoh4792

...
The reason I ask is because plastic cages seem to have thicker walls than glass, and is also harder to heat. I just thought that it would take more actual heat from the pad to get the same temperatures, resulting in heat high enough to melt the plastic just so I can get 85-90F inside the cage.
........

My personal feeling is that I greatly prefer glass tanks for keeping snakes, so I only have a couple plastic cages in use. It depends on what you are keeping though, & beyond that, each type of cage has pro's & con's. (glass is heavier, but doesn't scratch like plastic, doesn't melt etc) And with plastic cages, even though you regulate the heat, it still tends to soften & warp the plastic, or it could dry it out & make it brittle in time? (one of these days I'll be selling off my Prolines & replacing with glass, LOL, but that's me, each to their own...) Many ppl seem to prefer plastic cages for holding in heat better, but for snakes that need it you can also just insulate the glass.

[Danimal]

When you say flexwatt do you mean the tape version, or is there an actual flexwatt pad?

Reptile basics has some heat pads for sale if you are more comfortable with a pad. I've never used them but they look pretty. The new flexwatt with the rivets is pretty easy. I only need my soldering iron for modding tubs now.

[marvelfreak]

Originally Posted by Danimal

Reptile basics has some heat pads for sale if you are more comfortable with a pad. I've never used them but they look pretty. The new flexwatt with the rivets is pretty easy. I only need my soldering iron for modding tubs now.

I use the pads on all my cages and they work great.

As for the Op question. During the summer it works fine but i do also use a heater to help keep the room temp at 72 degrees during the winter.

[Terranaut]

Why not use a rhp? They work great and are very safe for your snake. Issue solved.

[Theweinz]

Originally Posted by Terranaut

Why not use a rhp? They work great and are very safe for your snake. Issue solved.

I agree! I have had no problems, and the animals seem to thrive, with the penetrating heat, kind of like being in the sun with no UV.