New to Tubs

Thanks for the info! I'm using a ZooMed mini to heat the six quart. The temps without holes and a water bowl are running at the right temp, but I'm concerned that holes will lower it enough to make me upgrade.

I hear a lot about flex-watt tape. What can people tell me about this? I'm planning on building my own rack, using one of the DIY ones I've found on here. Also need a thermostat. But since I only have two (and one on the way), I won't be spending a large amount. Thanks again!

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Originally Posted by kelevra

Thanks for the info! I'm using a ZooMed mini to heat the six quart. The temps without holes and a water bowl are running at the right temp, but I'm concerned that holes will lower it enough to make me upgrade.

I hear a lot about flex-watt tape. What can people tell me about this? I'm planning on building my own rack, using one of the DIY ones I've found on here. Also need a thermostat. But since I only have two (and one on the way), I won't be spending a large amount. Thanks again!

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I assume you are using the lid with your tub? If you are, then you don't need to worry about putting holes in the tub. There's plenty of airflow, they aren't air tight! You will have to watch your humidity to be sure that it doesn't get crazy in there.

As for the flexwatt I have a page on my site that explains how to wire it. I also have a page on there that shows a picture of what my set up looks like. I built/wired everything myself. http://www.slitherinsisters.com/how-...e-flexwatt.php It's are pretty easy to use, but you must have something to regulate the heat. It gets pretty darn hot if you let it run wide open.

Be careful when using cheap thermostats. I learned my lesson with those, and almost lost all my snakes in the process. Luckily a friend of mine found out I was using a cheap thermostat and told me to buy a dimmer as a back up in case the thermostat went hay wire. My thermostat ended up melting! When a thermostat breaks it lets the flexwatt run wide open, when a dimmer breaks, it kills the power. I would get a dimmer and set that up as well. If I haven't already, I'll explain how to do that on my website and update it real quick.

Great! Thank you very much! As soon as I'm able to, I will print that info.

as far as thermostats go there are a few options:

Johnson controls and Ranco are about 80 units set up and ready to use (you can find cheaper ones but you will have to wire them yourself).

Then there is Helix, ~135

Then there are the spyder robtics/herpstats, they are 100+ they have a lot of awesome temps.

I have a helix for my rack, and now im using the johnsons to control for some feeder bugs.

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Originally Posted by kelevra

Great! Thank you very much! As soon as I'm able to, I will print that info.

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Glad I could help :gj:

Good luck with everything!

All mine are in 6 qt tubs. I read that they dont need to wonder so y would hatchlings to 500 grams need a 16 qt? I take mine out so they get their roaming in (even though they don't need it) Plan on upgrading when they grow out of their RBI small hides. When they need the medium hides I'll move to 16 qt.

Slight issue. My new pastel hasn't been shipped yet, but I'm setting up his tub. He's getting a 27q set up, and I have a Zoo Med UTH 10-20g as my source. Unfortunately, my belly temp was registering 124! I haven't popped holes in the sides for ventilation to keep the humidity down (running at 99%). I doubt that holes will do enough anyway. I can't go to a smaller UTH since the cool side belly was only 77. Can I run a dimmer to a Zoo med?

I may just keep him in a 6q for a while anyway, but I wanted to be prepared to get him to a bigger setup when he is ready to make that move. Any and all help is always appreciated! Thanks!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by kelevra

Slight issue. My new pastel hasn't been shipped yet, but I'm setting up his tub. He's getting a 27q set up, and I have a Zoo Med UTH 10-20g as my source. Unfortunately, my belly temp was registering 124! I haven't popped holes in the sides for ventilation to keep the humidity down (running at 99%). I doubt that holes will do enough anyway. I can't go to a smaller UTH since the cool side belly was only 77. Can I run a dimmer to a Zoo med?

I may just keep him in a 6q for a while anyway, but I wanted to be prepared to get him to a bigger setup when he is ready to make that move. Any and all help is always appreciated! Thanks!

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Are you using a thermostat to control the UTH. If not thats why its running hot. They dont just run at the temp you want and thats it.

you must use a t stat when using any belly heat. If not you run the risk of cooking the snake or reptile. Get yourself a good t stat and call it a day. If you truly care about the animal you will not cheap out and get something that isnt going to bite you in the ass at some point.