Flexwatt questions.

[Aric]

I just got a bunch of flexwatt today and I was wondering if you can just cut it anywhere? It looks like it has a place where you are supossed to cut it but in not sure. Also got a rehostat (sp?) and was wondering what temp is right for a sterilite tub? I dont want to burn or melt the tub.


Ps. for the wiring do all you need to do is cut the tape at a sertain length and cut the end off a extension cord and then run the end of the cord through the crimper things and then crimp them on the strip on the flexwatt?

[IamKaervek]

MGReptiles crimping instructions.
MGReptiles soldering instructions.

[justcage]

Yes you can cut the element to any length you need.. The 11" is probably the hardest to work with when cutting to a length other then one foot incre. As long as you use eletrical tape on the ends you will be fine... You need to choose the temp that is right for the animal, the tubs will not melt unless you have a dimmer failure.. A themrostat is you best bet to assure that will not happen

[Aric]

Thanks the wireing seem to be very easy. I have a reptitemp Rehostat deluxe 500, will that work for controling the temps?

[jglass38]

It will work but it is in no way as accurate as a proportional tstat or even an on/off type. You will get some spikes in temperature so make sure you watch it for a while to make sure its staying in the safe range of 90-95 (assuming you have a BP)

[Aric]

ok thanks, yeah its mainly for Bps, I have a digital thermometer with a probe, should I just leave the probe on the flexwatt all the time to make sure the temps are right?

[jglass38]

I would leave the thermometer probe on the inside floor of the enclosure over the hot spot. That is the spot that the snake will come in contact with and where you should have the proper temperature set up.

[IamKaervek]

Placing the probe directly on or above the flexwatt (without anything in between, like substrate) will probably give you readings that are actually higher than what the snake is receiving. I'm assuming you have the flexwatt under the tank, and that the tank has some sort of substrate inside of it, correct (a layer of substrate and the bottom of the tank between the snake and the flexwatt)?

[Aric]

ok, the reason I was asking about the probe directly on the flexwatt is beacuse in most of the rack building plans ive seen say to put a thermometer probe and the thermostat probe directly on the flexwatt, I was also going to put another thermometer inside the tub so I can get temps that way, should I just stick with it on the inside?

[Adam_Wysocki]

ok, the reason I was asking about the probe directly on the flexwatt is beacuse in most of the rack building plans ive seen say to put a thermometer probe and the thermostat probe directly on the flexwatt, I was also going to put another thermometer inside the tub so I can get temps that way, should I just stick with it on the inside?

I run my all of my rack systems with the probe taped down to the flexwatt. Yes, the thermostat might need to run a little higher than the temps you want in the cage, but it's far more consistent that way.

-adam