anyone use heat cable to get ambient air temps up?

Sasha2 · 09-09-15, 11:02 AM

I recently moved some snakes around and put two in those big christmas tree tubs(VE-175). I have a piece of flexwatt on one end but the cool ends are too cool and I just need to bump the heat by maybe 5 degrees(this winter probably more like 10 degrees).I was thinking of getting the heat cable and a dimmer and taping it along the side but havent used heat cable before.
One tub will have my female ball python and the other a 5ft jungle carpet python.
Any advice or insight would be appreciated.

reptiledude987 · 09-09-15, 11:55 AM

that will work but I would usa a tstat as opposed to a dimmer

Sasha2 · 09-09-15, 12:09 PM

Where would you put the probe? Directly on the heat cable or in the air on the cool side?
Cant seem to picture how that would work with a thermostat.

Not sure if I should buy one long cable for both tubs or two separate smaller cables.

reptiledude987 · 09-09-15, 12:17 PM

Really it dosent matter where the probe is. As long as you dial it in to get the temps where they need to be before the animal is in the bin. if the probe is by the cable you will have set at a lower setting than it would be if you have it in the enclosure. Ultimately where ever the probe is it will do the same thind it will just determine what the temp setting is on the tstat.

If the bins are close together and within a couple degrees of each other 1 cable will do it if there is a bigger temp difference then run 2 seperate cables

Sasha2 · 09-09-15, 06:53 PM

Do you know how hot those cables can get?

In order to raise the ambient temps I dont want them getting overly hot.

chairman · 09-10-15, 07:31 AM

My cables are 25 watt models and max out at around 120F. I have one made by Hydor and another by BigAppleHerp. Not sure how great they'd be at raising ambient temps, I use mine to provide belly heat on a perch for my carpet pythons.

Sasha2 · 09-10-15, 04:56 PM

Thanks, I dont want to waste my money if they dont help bump up the temps..My other choice would be a low wattage ceramic heat emmiter, like 40 watts.

trailblazer295 · 09-10-15, 05:22 PM

Personally from experience due to the poor thermoconductivity of plastic UTH heaters don't do anything for ambient temps. I had two on a 24x24 PVC cage, one on the hot spot and a XLG on the side and still didn't raise the ambient temp above room temp with 1 vent closed. They would only heat where they are and not beyond. I ended up buying a RHP instead.

reptiledude987 · 09-10-15, 05:57 PM

With heat cable on a tub If you use the silver heat tape it helps to dispures the heat better. Thats what I've done in my wood enclosures and it works great.

chairman · 09-10-15, 06:14 PM

I have found that you can raise ambient temps 5F with a normal CFL in an enclosure. The CFL isn't going to get hot enough to burn a snake or melt plastic the way a CHE can. Biggest downside is that you cannot use a proportional thermostat, you have to use an on/off variety.

The suggested RHP would do the job and work for any variety of thermostat.

reptiledude987 · 09-10-15, 06:34 PM

I was thinking RHP as well I just know how difficult they can be to mount in a tub. Thats why I myself would lean towards heat tape pad or cable. Theres no wrong way to do it as long as the animal isnt at risk of being burnt.

Sasha2 · 09-11-15, 06:41 AM

I hate to buy an expensive RHP for these tubs as I dont intend to use them forever.They are just until I I can build the permanent cages.

I cant use a CFL or any light emitting alternative because they are in my sons room.

Thanks everyone, I think I will go ahead and buy at least one heat cable and see how it works, they arent that expensive really so its worth a shot.

trailblazer295 · 09-11-15, 06:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sasha2

I hate to buy an expensive RHP for these tubs as I dont intend to use them forever.They are just until I I can build the permanent cages.

I cant use a CFL or any light emitting alternative because they are in my sons room.

Thanks everyone, I think I will go ahead and buy at least one heat cable and see how it works, they arent that expensive really so its worth a shot.

Mounting a pro products rhp just takes two small holes for the bolts to fit through and maybe a notch for the wire. If it's sized to match your future cage plans you can simply move it. Could try asking the manufacturer for sizing help.