Tubs directly on flexwatt?

I'm switching one of my setup to tub tonite. Wondering if it's ok to put the tub directly laying on top of the flexwatt, with no space between the tub and the flexwatt.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z78ZEe9w7SM

yes, since the flexxwatt will be at a 90 degree setting the tubs can easily stand that.

and for above, what does a vid of a reptile show do to help this question ?

Yes you can set them right on top of it. Your skin temp is hotter than what you'll set the flexwatt temp at.

A thermostat is a MUST.

I went to Petco yesterday to get a back-up thermostat and I can't find one on the shelf. So, I asked the guys that worked there (I asked 3 of them), do you sell thermostats? And all 3 answered YES, and all three walked me to the thermometers.

This is a store that has an aisle of live reptiles being sold as pets. Grrr...

I have and will be using a tstat. Reason I ask is I'm setting up 2 tubs tonite, they will be same size, same sub, same everything. Then I will be taping my flexwatt to a price of wood then sliding my tubs onto the flexwatt with the tstat probe in one of the tubs. I will be putting 1 snake in each tub. I have another thread about using 2 tubs to 1 tstat and was tol I can do it as long as the tubs and everything are exact same.

Also the tubs I could find are not exactly flat on the bottom but pretty close, couldent find any that are flush on the bottom. Hope this won't affect my project.

The biggest issue a gap between the heat and the tub could cause is a lack of efficent heating if there's a way for the air directly over the heater to escape. It should be fine for the most part, but keep an eye on the temps inside the tub using a temp gun to make sure enough heat is getting through.

I'd suspect it should be fine though.

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Originally Posted by yeroc1982

I have and will be using a tstat. Reason I ask is I'm setting up 2 tubs tonite, they will be same size, same sub, same everything. Then I will be taping my flexwatt to a price of wood then sliding my tubs onto the flexwatt with the tstat probe in one of the tubs. I will be putting 1 snake in each tub. I have another thread about using 2 tubs to 1 tstat and was tol I can do it as long as the tubs and everything are exact same.

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Your t-stat prpobe needs to be mounted to the Flexwatt, not inside the tub...

Ok thx. The tub size are 25q, 19x15x7 inches tall. Will be using cocofiber as substrate. I will place the tstat probe under one of the tubs, so it's between flexwatt and tub. Should I tape the flexwatt so I can get it nice and close to the bottom if the tub or will it be ok laying flat? Cuz like I said the tuba aren't perfectly flush flat on the bottom. They kinda go in on the middle

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Originally Posted by yeroc1982

Ok thx. The tub size are 25q, 19x15x7 inches tall. Will be using cocofiber as substrate. I will place the tstat probe under one of the tubs, so it's between flexwatt and tub. Should I tape the flexwatt so I can get it nice and close to the bottom if the tub or will it be ok laying flat? Cuz like I said the tuba aren't perfectly flush flat on the bottom. They kinda go in on the middle

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You will want to tape the flexwatt down with some aluminium tape. Just run some of the tape along the long edges(just enough to hold it down), do not cover the whole thing. You can get this tape in most hardware stores. I found some at Walmart cheaper. Then tape your prob on the flexwatt next to the tub. Give it ample time to warm up, then check the inside temp on the bottom of the tub under the substrate. Cause this is where you snake will be most of the time, and snake will move the substrate. Hope this helps!

What size is the wood you are using for the Flexwatt?

Well I'm buying 2 feet of flexwatt, dunno what I'm goin to use to tape it on. I have a price of glass I could tape it on, gota see what I have at home. What else can I use?

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Originally Posted by yeroc1982

Well I'm buying 2 feet of flexwatt, dunno what I'm goin to use to tape it on. I have a price of glass I could tape it on, gota see what I have at home. What else can I use?

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I am in the process of setting mine up similarly. I am using melamine shelves that I had cut to size at Lowes. You can also use Polystyrene insulation. I actually put a notch in mine for the probe to set in under the heat pad so the tub wouldn't wobble on it. I'm not done with the project yet but I can get some pics up later this afternoon of at least that part of it...

Sounds great, I'd love to see pics. I decided instead of 1 big peice of flexwatt, I'm gona use 2 separate peices, 1 for each and I'm gona tape them up to the bottom of the tubs. Where should I put my tstat probe, inside, under substrate or outside, in-between the heat and tub??

you can tape the flexwatt to the shelf and tape the t-stat probe to the flexwatt tape.

the way my new rack is setup is, I have feet on the bottom of my tubs. This way the tub isn't wobbling on the probe. I hope this helps. I will get pics up tomorrow.

oh and my rack is made out of melamine with a hardboard back.

you want the prob outside between the heat and the tub

Ok so outside the tub is what I will do. I'm just wondering if I should use cocofiber or just some paper towel for substrate. Thing is my ball is still young and don't want to change too many things and stress her out, she's doin great right now, very good eater and just had her first perfect shed the other day. I will be using 1 of the same hides, she outgrew her other hide so I'll need to find a new one. These tubs are not totally clear, they are kinda fogged out. Should I still be using 2 hides? Iv herd others say u don't need any when using tubs but I just want to make sure.

from what ive seen most people use 1 or no hides in tubs but if you have room for 2 put them in. as for substrate use whatever you want it really dosent matter

I have never used Flexwatt so everything I have is with UTH's. For the tubs that have an indented bottom, The probe will fit between the heat source and tub without causing much, if any, wobble.
My current set-up, I have the probe mounted to the bottom of the tub, and the UTH mounted over that...
http://ball-pythons.net/gallery/file...8/hpim0446.jpg

http://ball-pythons.net/gallery/file...8/hpim0448.jpg

It's quick and easy to do, but it is inconvenient when it comes cleaning time, because you have to deal with the cords, and if you need to wash the tubs out, you have to remove and re-attach everything. To avoid having to do this, you can simply mount the probe and heat source to another surface and set the tub on top of it. In these photos, I am using some melamine shelves that I bought at Lowes and had cut to size for a project I am working on.
Tape the heat source down. Tape the probe to that. Set the tub on top and it sets flat...

http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/...s/HPIM0602.jpg

http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/...s/HPIM0603.jpg

http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/...s/HPIM0609.jpg

http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/...s/HPIM0605.jpg

Since some of my tubs have different or plain flat bottoms, I needed a way to mount the probe to keep the tubs from wobbling on the probe. My solution was to route a channel into the wood with my Dremmel tool, which allows me to recess the probe under the heat source, and the tubs still set flat. These photos are just mock-ups of how the final set-up is going to be.

The probe slot routed out...
http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/...s/HPIM0606.jpg

The probe mounted in the slot...
http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/...s/HPIM0607.jpg

The heat source mounted over the probe...
http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/...s/HPIM0608.jpg

I still have a few more bits and pieces to get before I do my final assembly but that is how I plan to set up the t-stat probes and UTH's...

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Originally Posted by shadow120

from what ive seen most people use 1 or no hides in tubs but if you have room for 2 put them in. as for substrate use whatever you want it really dosent matter

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I use 2 hides for stand alone tubs since they allow more light and visibilty. For rack set-ups it's ok to use one, or in some cases, no hides because the rack itself provides the darkness and security...

I just put everything together and have no room for 2 hides. They are 25q tubs. I'll jar to figure something out!

Most plastic tubs from Sterilite and Rubbermaid will withstand temps over 180F before they begin to show signs of heat damage.

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Originally Posted by yeroc1982

I just put everything together and have no room for 2 hides. They are 25q tubs. I'll jar to figure something out!

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Check at Wal-Mart or the dollar stores and see what kind of small plastic containers you can find, especially with all of the Halloween stuff out. If you can't find anything there, go hit up some yard sales this weekend. You never know what you can find at those that can be used as hides...

I put the probe from my stat on the tape NEXT to the tub, there is no need to put the probe under the tub... no wobbles!

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Originally Posted by wax32

I put the probe from my stat on the tape NEXT to the tub, there is no need to put the probe under the tub... no wobbles!

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I'm also finding that with it outside between the heat and tub, you can't get the flexwatt nice and even, causing hot and cold spots. I think tomorrow after work, I will put the stat probe inside, under sub, on the heat, then I will put something ontop of it so the snake can't mess with the readings.

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Originally Posted by yeroc1982

I'm also finding that with it outside between the heat and tub, you can't get the flexwatt nice and even, causing hot and cold spots. I think tomorrow after work, I will put the stat probe inside, under sub, on the heat, then I will put something ontop of it so the snake can't mess with the readings.

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That wont work, Needs to be directly ON the flexwatt. Snakes can pee/poop on the probe causing rapid cool down which in turns causes a heat spike.

Tstat probes never go in the tubs

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Originally Posted by RichsBallPythons

That wont work, Needs to be directly ON the flexwatt. Snakes can pee/poop on the probe causing rapid cool down which in turns causes a heat spike.

Tstat probes never go in the tubs

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Wow, soo confused. Some say inside , some say outside. So what is the best way so I can get the flexwatt nice and even?? Or can u put the stat probe on the outside, on the flexwatt but not in between the tub and heat?

Find a shelf in the rack and tape the probe to it. Set it at the temp you want and check back hourly to see how temps are and adjust accordingly.

When probes are inside tubs your going to have a problem sooner than later.

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Originally Posted by RichsBallPythons

Find a shelf in the rack and tape the probe to it. Set it at the temp you want and check back hourly to see how temps are and adjust accordingly.

When probes are inside tubs your going to have a problem sooner than later.

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I don't have a rack, just 2 tubs side by side.

Then on the piece of flexwatt you have laid out, Tape the probe in between the tubs. Set the tstat and check it.

Heres my setup in rack. I use Packing tape as its easier to remove than foil tape when needed.

http://i577.photobucket.com/albums/s...m/100_3635.jpg

I could be wrong, but what I think your getting confused about is 2 different set of probes.

The t-stat probe goes outside on the flexwatt heat tape. You also need a way to read the inside temps. both cool side and hot spot. the hot spot probe goes inside under the substract against the bottom of the tub, so you know what the temp is at the lowest point your bp can get to.

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Originally Posted by RichsBallPythons

Then on the piece of flexwatt you have laid out, Tape the probe in between the tubs. Set the tstat and check it.

Heres my setup in rack. I use Packing tape as its easier to remove than foil tape when needed.

http://i577.photobucket.com/albums/s...m/100_3635.jpg

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I ended up getting 2 pieces of flexwatt, 1 for each. There is a few inches of flexwatt hanging out at each end of the tubs so I will place the probe directly on the heat like you have in the pic. Thanks for all the help

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Originally Posted by Zedd

I could be wrong, but what I think your getting confused about is 2 different set of probes.

The t-stat probe goes outside on the flexwatt heat tape. You also need a way to read the inside temps. both cool side and hot spot. the hot spot probe goes inside under the substract against the bottom of the tub, so you know what the temp is at the lowest point your bp can get to.

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I have thermometer probes on each hot side, under the substrate on the heat. Just getting mixed info about the stat probe but now I know what I'm gona do

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Originally Posted by yeroc1982

I have thermometer probes on each hot side, under the substrate on the heat. Just getting mixed info about the stat probe but now I know what I'm gona do

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awesome! good luck!

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Originally Posted by Vypyrz

Your t-stat prpobe needs to be mounted to the Flexwatt, not inside the tub...

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In my opinion, it is better to mount your flexwatt to a piece of plastic the same thickness as your tub, and then mount the plastic to the thermostat. This will give you a better idea of the temp inside the tub, not the temp of the actual flexwatt. If you mount it directly to the flexwatt, the thermostat will turn off quickly, because the flexwatt heats up quickly.

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Originally Posted by Wh00h0069

In my opinion, it is better to mount your flexwatt to a piece of plastic the same thickness as your tub, and then mount the plastic to the thermostat. This will give you a better idea of the temp inside the tub, not the temp of the actual flexwatt. If you mount it directly to the flexwatt, the thermostat will turn off quickly, because the flexwatt heats up quickly.

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If I can find a piece I will do it. Makes sense.

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Originally Posted by yeroc1982

Or can u put the stat probe on the outside, on the flexwatt but not in between the tub and heat?

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Yes, this is what I meant in my post.

Ok so I got both tubs set up. I have the stat probe on one of the flexwatt, outside the tube. The hot spot temps are pretty consistent at 90f, they only vary about 1.5 degrees, pretty surprising. So I'm happy that it seems to work very well.

Variation will happen with using On/Off thermostats. If using proportional youll be spot on non stop.

But your all set and should be fine to go. Time to build a rack now.

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Originally Posted by RichsBallPythons

Variation will happen with using On/Off thermostats. If using proportional youll be spot on non stop.

But your all set and should be fine to go. Time to build a rack now.

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Yeah I have a herpstat on my Dumerils tank and I love it! Hate these on/off stats.

Also, if you have a rack system you may want to set up the thermostat sensor on one of the middle tubs in the stack so you get an average temp reading, where as the bottom or top most tubs may have heat loss and your tape will make your middle (more insulated) tubs hotter than intended.

I need rack plans for a 4 tub setup

So i switched my girl from her glass aquarium to her new tub thursday. Thought she would be alittle sketched out being in a new home, yesterday was feeding day so i gave her a rat, and she took it no problem!!!! Made me happy!!

check the DIY section for rack building. there are a few in the sticky area. Thats where I got my plans.

mine is 6 shelves that fit 32qt tubs sideways and 15 qt side by side