Anybody use a heat mat with a wooden viv? Safe?

Hi.... I've currently got a 2ft wooden viv with a 24/7 heat bulb red, is there any safe way to use a mat with a wooden viv? Anybody got experience of this? As you read many different opinions! Thanks

I use these inside my melamine enclosures, as the floor is thick and heavy, and doesn't conduct heat from a under-enclosure heat source very well: http://www.bigappleherp.com/Intellit...=2&category=14

They must be used with a t-stat, I ran mine wide open as a test when I got them and they maxed at 125*F.

Yes, do not use heat mats without a thermostat to control the heat, they can/will get much hotter than what it takes for your snake to burn it's belly...

Excuse my thickness but what is melamine ? I always use stats yes, my current bulb is on a dimmer, I also have a mat stat if I went with a mat or maybe I could use my dimmer stat on the mat ?

Melamine shelving is a heavy pressed wood/glue product - almost like fiberboard - which has a very thin melamine layer (think plastic) glued onto it. It's often used for shelving and furniture. The upside for reptile enclosures is that it's easy to clean, will hold heat and humidity very well, is fairly inexpensive, good for DIY projects, and is durable if you keep larger snakes. The downside is that it weighs a lot.

Ok yes I've seen the stuff, just never knew it had a name! I will have to trial a mat in a wooden viv to see if there a safe way as it will have to go inside with something on top if it

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Originally Posted by Ash81

Ok yes I've seen the stuff, just never knew it had a name! I will have to trial a mat in a wooden viv to see if there a safe way as it will have to go inside with something on top if it

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It shouldn't be a problem, mine have hides on them, plus adult boas in some cases.

The best way to do it is to put your uth under something like linoleum or tile even thick plexi but make sure you seal it well