LooMed heatmat without heat control

I was looking at Ralph Davies on YouTube and he was showing a basic setup for BP and he used a heatmat w/o a heat control has any of you guys tried that and which heat mat is the best. Also I'm going to use a wood cage how should I apply it?

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That video is quite bad for RD to have posted though I think he said something about needing a thermostat b/c I remember him talking about his helix.

All heatmats need a thermostat. If going thru wood, heat pad needs to be on the outside of the cage.

Only heat pad that could possibly not use a heat pad would be:
http://www.reptilebasics.com/ultrath...th-11-x23.html

But it is still highly recommended that every heat source has some type of control on it. Thermostats are optimal devices.

EVERY heating device should be controlled by something. some are better than others but it will still keep the heating element from cooking ur reptile.

Thanks, just making sure

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I would think it would be hard for a heating pad to get through wood, but I guess you'll find out soon enough! It's recommended that they all be used with a thermostat for ball pythons. The pads were made for all types of reptiles, not just ball pythons. Usually they are set to be 30 degrees warmer than room temp, so in most houses that's about 100-110 degrees (that would obviously be way too hot for BPs to lay on). A thermostat might be a little over the top for a heat pad, a rheostat or dimmer would be more than acceptable. Just remember that a rheostat is basically the same as just having a heat pad, if your room get's warmer/colder a rheostat doesn't adjust for that, it just ensures that the heat pad doesn't run wide open so you will need to check it often and adjust for temp changes in the room.

I have used heat mats with out a thermostat and I find that the cobra heat mats do not get hot enough to burn your snake. Also the rainforest heat mats from exoterra do not get hot enough to burn your snake. But the white off brand four paws mats, the zoomed mats and the desert exoterra mats get VERY hot and I would def. use a rheostat with them. It is always a good idea to use at least a rheostat but in a pinch the cobra and rainforest mats will work.

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Originally Posted by MitsuMike

That video is quite bad for RD to have posted though I think he said something about needing a thermostat b/c I remember him talking about his helix.

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It's been quite a while since I've seen the video, but I think he went along the lines of saying you don't need one.

I'm not quoting, but he pretty much just said. "There's no need for a thermostat, these UTH's get to a certain temp, and stay there."

He was talking about, and showing his helix...then finished it up by saying "You won't need a thermostat for this kind of setup."

I'm not downing Ralph/Mitsumike in anyway, I'm just making conversation. Maybe it's been a long time since he's set up a terrarium?

I am currently using a ZooMed heat mat, and I have it on a rheostat. It's just where it needs to be on almost the lowest setting. Even the mini Zoomeds can go over 100* through glass (Mine did while I was working on finding the best setting, but it was a really short period of time) so you will probably want at least a rheostat. I'm not sure how well things heat through wood, but better be safe than sorry.

Dude that idea of a zoo med heat mat on wood without.a thermostat is a fire waiting to happen. Buy a helix or herpstat or ranco at the very least. A uth without a tstat on wood ........ not safe remember air space to breath also ....space for oxygen to flow so heat does not get trapped.

Good info guys, I appreciate it, I was gonna add a piece of glass inside to put the mat on and elevate that so it could breath. I'll see what I can dig up

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