my first post w/pics.. DUW

The size of the heat pad depends on the size of the tub. If you get a smaller tub, you'll want to get a smaller pad. Plus, once you get a thermostat, it won't matter... the pad will put out as much heat as the stat tells it to.


Also, you don't have to take the sticky off. Just leave the waxy paper on---it's works just fine with it still on---and use the tape Becky mentioned early to stick the pad onto the tub. That way, you can reuse it.

awesome!!! and the tape that was listed before is ok to use to stick it? lol what a mouthfull that was. ill be sure to pick some up.

I have restuck UTHs before. The adhesive will be a little nasty, but it usually will go right back on another surface.

I'm glad you feel more positive about things now. :)

I reuse my UTH's all the time. The sticky is pretty worn off, so I use foil tape to apply them to the few freestanding tubs I use for quarentine.

Mine are all the Zoo-Med brand from Petsmart.

I've heard that heat pads made for humans are not a good idea, as they tend to temp-spike and then shut off.

Well, sometimes you can remove them using a credit card, or maybe a QTip with some of the Goo Be Gone stuff that gets rid of glue? Just be VERY careful not to bend or twist it or it could break some of the elements inside.

The other alternative, flexwatt, is only around $3.20 per foot, plus the $2-something that Rich charges for the cord/clips to wire it, then the shipping($8). But if you're getting the thermostat too, it will help spread out that shipping cost more. It is VERY safe stuff, you just have to use a tstat or a dimmer with it.

Oh and the foil tape, is found in the painting section at WalMart(where the blue tape and other stuff is). It's $4-something or maybe $5-something for the roll. Very worth it though and it tolerates high heat without melting and getting gross

can i buy a thermstat locally? if so where and i suppose ill have to learn how to set it up too? yikes.. its just that 75 a peice seems a bit steep for my pockets right now

If you can't afford a thermostat right away, you can use a dimmer or rheostat. They don't automatically adjust to the right temperature, they just keep a constant amount of energy to the heat source depending on what level you set it to. They WILL need tweaking, no where near as accurate as a thermostat, but till you can get one, it will work.

You can use one thermostat for multiple cages... you can just plug both heat pads into the one thermostat.


And they're not hard to use... lol, if I can do it! ;)

EDIT: Locally, it might be hard to find one. You'll probably have to order one.

Can i get that at target or wal*mart too? is there a brand or picture? how much do you think they run for? how do they control the ammount of heat (in other words how will i know its right besides temp in tank. do i put the thermometer towards the bottom (its belly temp thats important right?)

THANKS again i feel like such an amature idiot

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Originally Posted by AshleyB

those look great!!!! what awesome displays. i do notice they are stacked on top of each other, is that alright to do? previously said not such a great idea. im so glad i have a shopping list of things to go get, i LOVE SHOPPING lol.. looks like ill have plenty to pick up today. how do you keep their humidity right? You'll actually find that just the water dish evaporation will provide perfect humidity (or at least it does for me) how often do you spray the tank? I don't spray my enclosures, my humidity stays a constant 55% what kind of bedding should i use (not a fan of news paper at the moment) the bedding you have pictured is what i have now for them. You're using Aspen and that's fine. and it will last me awhile concidering the size of the tank we were using so it iwll be awhile before i have to buy more. as for the UTH what size/brand are you using currently? On a 15 quart tub, I'd get a 1 foot section of 3" Flexwatt - pre-wired from Rich at reptilebasics.com can i use a human heating pad for awhile until i get a thermostat like previously stated? I'd only recommend it temporarily until you can get a UTH and a good quality thermostat - both enclosures, if they are identical, can be run on one thermostat - I use Ranco, also from Rich. At the very least, have the digital thermometer so that you can make sure that the human heat pad is not too hot. Give it several hours to regulate the temps before adding the snakes - it takes awhile to get up to temps, and you might think it's not heating well and set it too high. Get a human heat pad with NO Auto Off feature. is it something i can get at the shop, perhaps with the money i hope to get back? I don't know of any shops that sell Flexwatt. if not i at least have a nice looking tank for something else? if not its going to be a patio ornament for awhile! grrrr

not only that, with the size of the bins concidered i can keep them right whree the 20gal is at the moment. the ease of mind will be so great not worrying if they will hurt one another, i know they are normals but so cute to me.. i really like them as do the children

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