Heat Mat or Heat Tape?

[Flint]

I can move the tank as close to or as far away from it as needed. So, whatever temp you guys feel is best.

Also, how is there "no such thing" as CA boas? They are all over kingsnake and various breeders websites. Not to mention almost every BCI care sheet states that they are found in Central America.

[Mikoh4792]

Originally Posted by Flint

I can move the tank as close to or as far away from it as needed. So, whatever temp you guys feel is best.

Also, how is there "no such thing" as CA boas? They are all over kingsnake and various breeders websites. Not to mention almost every BCI care sheet states that they are found in Central America.

I never said there are no such things as CA boas. I said there are no such things as CA red tails. Red tailed boas are boa constrictor constrictor, boa constrictors found in Centra America are boa constrictor imperator.

Just helping you understand the correct classification of boas.

[Flint]

I'm not used to dealing with people that know the difference. BCI are sold as red tails at petco so for the sake of laymans terms, that's generally how I introduce. I apologize.

[Mikoh4792]

Originally Posted by Flint

I'm not used to dealing with people that know the difference. BCI are sold as red tails at petco so for the sake of laymans terms, that's generally how I introduce. I apologize.

No need to apologize, as said before you aren't being attacked.

I think the people who need to apologize are the one's running businesses like petco that don't care about correctly informing the masses.

[Flint]

I agree. I worked at petco long enough to do my CBT and be introduced to caring for the animals. I didn't show up the next day or ever again. It was SICKENING.

[Flint]

My thermostat will be here Tuesday. (:

[KORBIN5895]

Originally Posted by Mikoh4792

Could you be more specific? I think most of the input given in this thread is useful.

I sure can.

Originally Posted by formica

not being able to afford a thermostat means you cannot afford to keep a snake. a cheap thermostat is only £20/$20, you are risking serious injury to your snake without one.

Originally Posted by Mikoh4792

Basically this.

.

[Mikoh4792]

Originally Posted by KORBIN5895

I sure can.

Cmon... you can't be serious. Using a heat mat and heat tape without a thermostat IS risking injury to whatever animal you are heating.

Telling the OP that a thermostat is a must is useful input....wanted or not.

[KORBIN5895]

Originally Posted by Mikoh4792

Cmon... you can't be serious. Using a heat mat and heat tape without a thermostat IS risking injury to whatever animal you are heating.

Telling the OP that a thermostat is a must is useful input....wanted or not.

Dead serious.

Telling someone they can't afford a snake when they clearly acknowledge they can't and also make it clear they didn't order it and were trying to cancel it isn't necessary, constructive or necessary. I'm all for smacking the stupid but it wasn't the op this time.

[Mikoh4792]

Originally Posted by KORBIN5895

Dead serious.

Telling someone they can't afford a snake when they clearly acknowledge they can't and also make it clear they didn't order it and were trying to cancel it isn't necessary, constructive or necessary. I'm all for smacking the stupid but it wasn't the op this time.

I'm sorry but if you can't afford to get basic requirements like a heat source controller then you can't afford an animal that needs it. I'm all for being realistic about financial situations.

If I absolutely could not afford a thermostat, I'd rather use a heat lamp to heat the enclosure since there are different wattages of bulb you can switch between however a heat mat or heat tape left uncontrolled is just asking for a disaster.(even then you could use the money for the bulbs to buy a thermostat instead)

[Terranaut]

Well telling someone who is just doing their best to deal with the situation and who is asking for help that they shouldn't have the snake they never asked for is pretty rough. Why not just help. We all know it's bad but a thermostat is on the way so all will be fine.
Before reading a thermostat is coming I would have recomended a heat pad. Most are limited to a max output and are not likely to have a meltdown or toast your snake over a one week period. An exoterra heat wave rainforest would be ok in your situation for short term and are cheap.
The reason I still answered is just incase another new member sees this and is afraid to ask a similar question due to the first responses to this thread.
Now back to our regular program...or thread

[Mikoh4792]

Didn't mean to be harsh, so OP I apologize if you were offended, however I did try to let you know I wasn't attacking you. A thermostat is just one of those things that you need to have in order to safely control the conditions inside a reptile's enclosure.

Adding onto Terranaut's suggestion of an exo-terra rainforest heat mat, I would recommend an ultra-therm heat mad because they are also designed to run at low temperatures even on full power(I think it was 105f)

[Flint]

The heat tape that's coming is 20 watts a foot and I ordered 2 feet for my 4'x1.5' tank. It's a little more than 1/3 of the tank but it's the heat tape that can only be cut in foot long sections. Will she be okay with that? Also, I was going to use cypress mulch as substrate but someone told me not to use substrate for at least a month.. I also have coco husk bricks. Would both be suitable substrate? When can I add substrate?

[Mikoh4792]

Heat tape used alone will get dangerously hot. I would look at using another option to heat the enclosure.

You can use both cypress and cocohusk, however the advice given to you holds some value. When you use paper towel or newspaper for a short while it's easier to detect any problems your snake might have(fecal/urine issues, mites...etc).

[formica]

so korbin, you are saying that someone who cannot afford a thermostat, can afford to care for a snake are you?

nah of course you are just looking for another argument with me. you really are predictable, i bet you even bore yourself sometimes. grow up little boy.