should i use 3" or 11" flexwatt?

I would like to use 3" flexwatt because it's cheaper and it's usually more recommended than any other size, but will it maintain the right temp in a room that is in the 40s or 50s in the winter? or should I use the 11". I am going to be using racks with tubs.

It would be a good idea to maintain a temp of at least 78*in your snake room, no matter what size flexwatt you use. :)

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Originally Posted by BaLLPAddICT

I would like to use 3" flexwatt because it's cheaper and it's usually more recommended than any other size, but will it maintain the right temp in a room that is in the 40s or 50s in the winter? or should I use the 11". I am going to be using racks with tubs.

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how would that make a difference as long as the temps inside each cage are good?

Drafts are a good cause of respiratory issues in Ball Pythons and can also dry the air in the enclosures out. My room is kept at 70 degrees+, if it falls below that I get uncomfortable trying to breathe the dry air and need to turn the heat on and get a humidifier. Can you imagine how the snakes are reacting to that much colder air moving into the enclosure? That would make any snake go off-feed. All of mine(except for one female who fasted last year at this time, stinkpot..) are eating and not acting any different.

You can get an oil filled heater at Home Depot, Sears(I saw them for $50), and probably WalMart. Get the ambient room temps up and you'll see it's easier to maintain the enclosures' temperatures/humidity.

i see, ill probably find a different room to put the rack in, thanks

Beecause the flexwatt would be operating at high temps all the time trying to maintain, this would create a condition that would dry up all the humidity, and also create unsafe conditions with your heating equiptment. :)

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Originally Posted by BaLLPAddICT

how would that make a difference as long as the temps inside each cage are good?

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by BaLLPAddICT

I would like to use 3" flexwatt because it's cheaper and it's usually more recommended than any other size, but will it maintain the right temp in a room that is in the 40s or 50s in the winter? or should I use the 11". I am going to be using racks with tubs.

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What room in your home is only heated to the 40's or 50's?

No, the 3" will not keep your cool side up high enough (I'm assuming you're using the flexwatt for the warm side). But neither will the 11" in a room that cold.

you could still maybe use that room just get a nice oil filled heater or 2 depending on how big your snake room is and hook it up to a thermostat set at the desired temp

3" vs. 11" inch depends on how wide/large your enclosure is.
You may be able to get ground temps upto the right levels but the ambient air temp will always be low if its cold in your room.

I was thinking about turning part of my basment into a snake room. The entire basment is a large area and doesn't have complete heating but the furness does keep the temperatures in the 50s or 60s near it, farther away it can get down to the 40s and this is in the winter only. I'd like to find another place, I just have to make some more space somewhere else.