Another flexwatt thread....

Hey! I've been on here reading about flexwatt for a majority of the day. I just want to make sure I have my facts straight now...

My cage is 6ft. L, 18in. W, and 12in. H and it's glass. As of right now I'm planning on getting five and a half feet of the 11" tape and the Johnson A-419 thermostat (http://www.reptilebasics.com/johnson...pre-wired.html).

From your experince, would this be enough tape? I also have a 100 W heat lamp on hand...

Thanks

Id probably only put like 4ft of Flexwatt. 5.5ft is a LOT of coverage, usually you only want like 1/3 of the bottom covered, or maybe even 1/2 in a glass tank since they suck at temp maintenance.

Look into ultratherm for heating. Safer route to go rather flexwatt with cages.

Thanks for the reply! I was kinda going under the assumption more was better, since it can be made cooler, but not warmer.

Maybe I'll just order 4 feet :D

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Originally Posted by flameethrower

Look into ultratherm for heating. Safer route to go rather flexwatt with cages.

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Yeah, I've had UTH for the last couple years. They're kinda getting on my nerves though. I'd like one constant thing running the length of the cage (or close to) since the cage is so long I end up with weird "dead" spots with the pads.

Deffinately cheapter though...:confused:

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Originally Posted by matic

Yeah, I've had UTH for the last couple years. They're kinda getting on my nerves though. I'd like one constant thing running the length of the cage (or close to) since the cage is so long I end up with weird "dead" spots with the pads.

Deffinately cheapter though...:confused:

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you only want up to half the bottom of cage covered with heat. the other half un heated so snake can regulate its body temp

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Originally Posted by flameethrower

you only want up to half the bottom of cage covered with heat. the other half un heated so snake can regulate its body temp

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The unheated parts would drop down to about 65, that's too cold. I need some sort of heat on the other side.

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Originally Posted by matic

The unheated parts would drop down to about 65, that's too cold. I need some sort of heat on the other side.

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If your room is that cold have you thought about Radient heat panel. They help heat the Ambient air as well keep the temp needed below set by the t-stat.


If not try space heater

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Originally Posted by flameethrower

If your room is that cold have you thought about Radient heat panel. They help heat the Ambient air as well keep the temp needed below set by the t-stat.


If not try space heater

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If I did like a 35" UTH and an 11" UTH that would leave about 15 inches at the end, or in the middle for that matter, with nothing under it... Actually, if it was in the middle that seems like it could reasonably keep that part cooler, but warm enough. 15 inches seems like enough she could find a spot to keep her comfortable.

(Don't worry, I know 6 ft is a long cage, but she has more hides than a snake deserves)

Also, the entire under side of the cage is open. By that I mean it's not sitting on anything. It's sitting on a frame and is open to a chest of drawers underneath. I don't know if that changes anything.

I don't know what to do now.

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Originally Posted by matic

Also, the entire under side of the cage is open. By that I mean it's not sitting on anything. It's sitting on a frame and is open to a chest of drawers underneath. I don't know if that changes anything.

I don't know what to do now.

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Yes that can cause problems in a room that does not have steady temp. Try using some sort of foam and insulate the bottom to help keep heat rising into the cage.

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Originally Posted by flameethrower

Yes that can cause problems in a room that does not have steady temp. Try using some sort of foam and insulate the bottom to help keep heat rising into the cage.

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I would think if the excess heat had no where to go that could become a potential fire hazard

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Originally Posted by DShaw

I would think if the excess heat had no where to go that could become a potential fire hazard

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Thats true but insulating the bottom enough to hold the heat and help it rise into the tank before it dissipates will help.

When insulating it its always good practice to have a 1/8 to 1/4 gap from the insulation and heating pad for ventilation.

o ok yea with the ventilation your safe

I'm still worried that the UTH wont provide enough heat, as the ones I have now are not. I wish there was some way to test drive this... I'm running the zoomed pads now. Are the ones on the reptile basic site hotter? The wattage on the 36" one is 46, compaired to 24 on the largest zoomed one. I'm not sure how that translates though.

Sorry this isn't clicking. I just want to make sure I'm getting the right thing.

im using a 30-40 gallon zoo med tank heater and a zilla thermostat and my temp in the hide is between 90-94........and im using newspaper as substrate...this is in a tub though not a tank