You guys are so helpful

You guys are so great! After the last week or so of reading I am so glad I joined in these forums. I am in the process of making a new enclosure for DD. A novice reading directions and getting tips from all over the different threads. I just picked up a 41 quart sweater box and will be drilling holes in it tomorrow night. I am picking up an accurite tomorrow. I am going to use newspaper as substrate and I have two questions.

Can I use a heating pad until as a UTH until I can get flexwatt? Can I get flexwat locally or must I order online?

Thanks, Dawn

I bet you'll love that sweaterbox. We have all 3 of our balls in them and they are soooooooo easy to regulate compared to the big wire mesh lid glass tank that the red tailed boa is in!

You might want to grab a soldering wand when you get that accu-rite. WalMart sells a really simple one with 2 or 3 sizes of tips for around $10.00. It's just slick as anything to put holes in plastic tubs (no accidental cracking). Do remember to use it though in a very well ventilated area.

I know we can't get flexwatt locally. If you decide to go with a human heating pad until you can get flexwatt just make sure you buy one that has a low, medium and high switch and does not automatically turn off after an hour. If you have a Rite-Aid drugstore in your area they sell both a regular and a large size one that retail for $15.00 and $25.00 or thereabouts. Our Wal-Mart here only sells ones that have that automatic switch-off feature.

Glad you are finding this forum so helpful. I personally can't think of another forum or resource online I turn to on a daily basis for help or just to gain more knowledge about these fascinating creatures. The sum total of wisdom and experience of the members of this forum is just invaluable to newcomers to this hobby.


~~Jo~~

Thanks for the tip about the sodering iron. I must finish that new enclosure for DD and have it set up by Sunday, hopefully she sheds by then. The reptile swap is on Sunday and I plan on getting another! Okay, I am addicted. It will be very interesting, because DD was a sub-adult when we got her, I feel like we will be starting from scratch with a baby, LOL.

You should call around to some of your local pet stores. I know that there is one store in my general area, that sells it. It could save you on shipping.

Oh shoot, re-read my own post and didn't say this. It's not generally recommended to use human heating pads as they are made for humans not reptiles. I've been warned they sometimes spike or unevenly heat and since they weren't designed for constant use, might not last all that long or be 100% reliable.


~~Jo~~

I remember when human heatpads were "all the rage".. it does seem like they have become obsolete. With good reason, I guess?
I use those zoomed heatpads with rheostats. they work fine for me, but if I had to do it all over again (and I will next year) I will go with flexwatt. You should cut to the chase, Dawn, and go with that.

Okay, so I have almost everything ready for DD's new enclosure. One or two questions. With flex watt, do I adhere it to the steralite tub, or do I just place it underneath. It's under ten inches tall, I won't need the ceramic lamp again will I?

you do not have to stick the flexwatt to the tub though i have found it helpful to tape the flexwatt to whatever you have it sitting on with some electrical tape so that it doesn't slide around. you shouldn't need to use the ceramic lamp anymore unless you need it to keep the temps on the cool side warm enough.

Thanks for all the replys you guys. I have set up DD's enclosure, and as far as I can tell it is doing well. Temps are right, and humidity too. How do I make sure air is circulating alright. Yes there are 1/8" holes every two to three inches.