How do you put on flexwatt?

[keegen456]

So I am finally setting up the Animal plastics T8 cage that I bought months ago. I have the flexwatt and the prob for the thermostat goes between it and the cage right? Does the aluminum foil tape have to go all the way around the flexwatt? Can someone show me a picture of your flexwatt set up and ready to go? Spock is a year old and weighs 720g. Hopefully he does ok in such a big cage!

[shadow120]

i just use duct tape and tape down both ends. i tape my probe on top of the flex watt next to the middle tub. it works for me but youll find that if you ask 10 diffent people youll get 10 differnt answers. some people put it between the flex watt and the tub some people have a tub just for there probe you just have to find what works for you.

[chimp54321]

I put my probe directly on the heat tape because the temps are less apt to changing. For the aluminum I use metal tape for under the flexwatt and then cover the edges of the flexwatt with the tape as well sticking it down onto the other metal tape thats on the bottom. Did you soder your heat tape or do you have clips? Also make sure to fully cover where your connection to the wires is with metal tape as well. If you type in flexwatt on youtube theres a bunch of good videos, everyone does it a little different. If you have any questions let me know.

[TheSnakeGuy]

Do a lot of people on this forum have those Animal Plastics cages? It's a high price but it really does look to be top quality. Tempting . . . . .

[keegen456]

I put my probe directly on the heat tape because the temps are less apt to changing. For the aluminum I use metal tape for under the flexwatt and then cover the edges of the flexwatt with the tape as well sticking it down onto the other metal tape thats on the bottom. Did you soder your heat tape or do you have clips? Also make sure to fully cover where your connection to the wires is with metal tape as well. If you type in flexwatt on youtube theres a bunch of good videos, everyone does it a little different. If you have any questions let me know.

Animal plastics already had the flexwatt put together and ready to go, i just have to attach it to the bottom of my cage and plug it into my thermostat. I just need to know if all the sides need to be covered in the alum. tape or if its ok for it just to have the tape in a couple of spots. The company only sent 2 small pieces of tape and I cannot find it here in town.

[The Serpent Merchant]

Here is a T8 with the flexwatt installed (in the center for use with the divider)



You can see the outline where the flexwatt would go (as well as the thermostat probe slot) if I was not using the divider as well.

Checkout this thread: http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...With-Pictures!

- - - Updated - - -

Animal plastics already had the flexwatt put together and ready to go, i just have to attach it to the bottom of my cage and plug it into my thermostat. I just need to know if all the sides need to be covered in the alum. tape or if its ok for it just to have the tape in a couple of spots. The company only sent 2 small pieces of tape and I cannot find it here in town.

You can just use the pieces AP sent with it, I like a little more but it isn't necessary. Walmart/home depot usually has foil tape.

- - - Updated - - -

Do a lot of people on this forum have those Animal Plastics cages? It's a high price but it really does look to be top quality. Tempting . . . . .

They aren't cheap, but it is an up front investment. you will pay just as much in gradually upgrading tanks over time if not more. Tubs are a different story but they serve a different purpose.

[Inknsteel]

I don't use foil tape on my flexwatt anymore. I used to tape all four sides with the aluminum tape until I had a couple of pieces of flexwatt not heating properly. I was also hearing a constant buzz from the flexwatt. I pulled off the strips that connected one side to the other and the buzzing stopped and they started warming up again. So, I can only assume that the aluminum foil tape was acting as a bridge and the current was flowing through the foil tape rather than the flexwatt. I've since gone to using blue painters tape all around all four sides of the flexwatt and have no issues. No buzzing and every piece of flexwatt is warm and steady...

[The Serpent Merchant]

I don't use foil tape on my flexwatt anymore. I used to tape all four sides with the aluminum tape until I had a couple of pieces of flexwatt not heating properly. I was also hearing a constant buzz from the flexwatt. I pulled off the strips that connected one side to the other and the buzzing stopped and they started warming up again. So, I can only assume that the aluminum foil tape was acting as a bridge and the current was flowing through the foil tape rather than the flexwatt. I've since gone to using blue painters tape all around all four sides of the flexwatt and have no issues. No buzzing and every piece of flexwatt is warm and steady...

That makes me suspect that your flexwatt has damage somewhere as all of the electrical pathways are (should be) encased in plastic. Probably not an issue, but you might want to check it at some point just in case.

[S.I.R.]

I use aluminum tape on the edges as well. However, for my racks, I built metal flashing that encases the tape so that the tubs slide smoothly over the metal flashing and does not place any wear on the flexwatt at all. I place my probe on a piece of plastic the same thickness of the tub and then tape it to the tape or flashing material. This helps simulate the acutal tub temps a little more closely. I always check my temps with a heat gun periodically to make sure it is working correctly. Hope this helps.