Rack Heated with Pads

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k6...yrdiesRack.png

I read the Chatbox this morning and seen someone who wanted to he a rack with pads and this Thought came right into my head so i made a quick MSPaint picture and explanation hope it helps please let me know what you think I'm still new to snakes so i might be wrong lol just please comment on what you think:gj:

flexwatt is cheaper and you can just wire it all together so you only have 1 cord hanging out.

I don't even recess the heat into the wood, flexxwatt is thin enough you can just tape it down and the tubs slide over it. I would imagine most heatpads would be the same way tho. so i think you might be doing extra work.

Well the person wanted belly heat that was the easiest solution i could figure but thanks for your input :) and zoomed and zilla pads do stick up quite a bit i figured better to make a small hole rather than accidentally crushing it against the back of the rack

turn the sticky side down against the wood

there is still a chance of it coming loose not to mention on a zoomed heat mat the cord has a nice box right around the cord :P so it still sticks up quite a bit not to mention for a flexwatt you need to buy thermostat to plug it into heat foil lots of extras that will run you a pretty penny so its not always cheaper ;) this setup is quick and easy and very safe for the snake. a 10 year old can build this rack with no complications (given parental supervision of course). :gj:

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Originally Posted by OhhWatALoser

flexwatt is cheaper and you can just wire it all together so you only have 1 cord hanging out.

I don't even recess the heat into the wood, flexxwatt is thin enough you can just tape it down and the tubs slide over it. I would imagine most heatpads would be the same way tho. so i think you might be doing extra work.

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I agree flexwatt is the way to go. I notice that most pads being same make and size will vary in temps somewhat and can cause a problem contolling equal temps to each level. you might be asking for a big headache. one problem with the flexwatt is it's so thin and the coating is plastic, sliding the tub over it again and again will make it wear and also cause problem. so I would use very thin metal like roof flashing and cover the flexwatt with to protect it from the sliding tub. just make sure the ends where you cut the flexwatt, the metal inside the flexwatt doesn't come into direct contact with the flashing.

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Originally Posted by don15681

I agree flexwatt is the way to go. I notice that most pads being same make and size will vary in temps somewhat and can cause a problem contolling equal temps to each level. you might be asking for a big headache. one problem with the flexwatt is it's so thin and the coating is plastic, sliding the tub over it again and again will make it wear and also cause problem. so I would use very thin metal like roof flashing and cover the flexwatt with to protect it from the sliding tub. just make sure the ends where you cut the flexwatt, the metal inside the flexwatt doesn't come into direct contact with the flashing.

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point well taken but let me ask you for a simple home set up cost included a heat mat set up would be cheaper wouldn't it? because all you would need are the pads but with flexwatt and correct me if I'm wrong you would need

Rolls of Flexwatt
Foil Tape
Electric Thermostat to control temps of each tub to shut the Flexwatt of at a certain temp

last time i checked flexwatt does get over 120 where as heat mats get to about 80-90 and shut themselves off so you do need the thermostat

also as i was saying before he wanted a cheap and easy solution to belly heating a Rack I'm new and just thought this would be easiest and i do appreciate the input I'm just wondering how off base i am lol

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Originally Posted by Byrdie

point well taken but let me ask you for a simple home set up cost included a heat mat set up would be cheaper wouldn't it? because all you would need are the pads but with flexwatt and correct me if I'm wrong you would need

Rolls of Flexwatt
Foil Tape
Electric Thermostat to control temps of each tub to shut the Flexwatt of at a certain temp

last time i checked flexwatt does get over 120 where as heat mats get to about 80-90 and shut themselves off so you do need the thermostat

also as i was saying before he wanted a cheap and easy solution to belly heating a Rack I'm new and just thought this would be easiest and i do appreciate the input I'm just wondering how off base i am lol

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You MUST have a thermostat even for heat pads!

I have a heat pad in my savannah monitors tank that is unregulated and it reaches temps of 120 - 130F on its own

If you use multiple heat pads you may end up needing more than one thermostat where with flexwatt you only need one thermostat

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Originally Posted by MikeV

You MUST have a thermostat even for heat pads!

I have a heat pad in my savannah monitors tank that is unregulated and it reaches temps of 120 - 130F on its own

If you use multiple heat pads you may end up needing more than one thermostat where with flexwatt you only need one thermostat

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I see ok thank you i didn't know that now I do lol i do have a digital Thermometer to check my temp but no thermostat yet... since i don't even have my snake ...yet although Frankie sent me some pics of the cutest little female he is sending me :D:D:D:D:D:D:D and i have had her enclosure set up for almost a week now and the humidity and temp have stayed perfect (just a Zilla heat mat and a water bowl in a sterilite tub) *knock on wood* so i don't have anything near a rack yet so like i said i really have no idea what I'm talking about...yet

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Originally Posted by Byrdie

point well taken but let me ask you for a simple home set up cost included a heat mat set up would be cheaper wouldn't it? because all you would need are the pads but with flexwatt and correct me if I'm wrong you would need

Rolls of Flexwatt
Foil Tape
Electric Thermostat to control temps of each tub to shut the Flexwatt of at a certain temp

last time i checked flexwatt does get over 120 where as heat mats get to about 80-90 and shut themselves off so you do need the thermostat

also as i was saying before he wanted a cheap and easy solution to belly heating a Rack I'm new and just thought this would be easiest and i do appreciate the input I'm just wondering how off base i am lol

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actually, i've ran my flexwatt up to 150 degrees, just to see how hot it got, and there is no heatpad i know of that self regulates. one i have went up to 120ish unregulated, so yes you need a thermostat.

cheapest way is flexwatt, hands down.

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Originally Posted by OhhWatALoser

actually, i've ran my flexwatt up to 150 degrees, just to see how hot it got, and there is no heatpad i know of that self regulates. one i have went up to 120ish unregulated, so yes you need a thermostat.

cheapest way is flexwatt, hands down.

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why didn't you just say that from the start?

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Originally Posted by OhhWatALoser

and there is no heatpad i know of that self regulates. one i have went up to 120ish unregulated, so yes you need a thermostat.

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my Zilla heat pad has kept my warm side at a constant 85-88 degrees for the past 5 days or so not saying it will always stay that way but the last few days it hasn't gone over 88 or under 85

Don't do it. A thermostat normally has 1 probe. With heat pads they fluctuate quite a bit between each pad.

Example:

2 heat pads on 1 thermostat set to 92 degrees. The one with the probe on it is perfect, the second one is around 95-96 degrees. This range can be plus or minus. Flexwatt is MUCH more reliable than the pads plus it will cost you less to energy to heat and less of a dent in the wallet.

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Originally Posted by Byrdie

why didn't you just say that from the start?

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Only heat pad I know of that "self regulates" is this:
http://www.reptilebasics.com/ultratherm-heat_pads/

But they even recommend a thermostat

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Originally Posted by Byrdie

why didn't you just say that from the start?



my Zilla heat pad has kept my warm side at a constant 85-88 degrees for the past 5 days or so not saying it will always stay that way but the last few days it hasn't gone over 88 or under 85

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That's a little cold for you hot side, should be more like 90-92. There are heat pads that normally don't get over 90. The problem is accounts for flex. Any small power surge could spike the heat for your pad, just because you don't see it doesn't mean it didn't happen. Although, you can get a dimmer switch, but you will need a warmer heat pad :)

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Originally Posted by Byrdie

why didn't you just say that from the start?

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i thought it was common knowledge lol, heat = thermostat

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Originally Posted by MitsuMike

Only heat pad I know of that "self regulates" is this:
http://www.reptilebasics.com/ultratherm-heat_pads/

But they even recommend a thermostat

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i own 2 of those I used on my first rack I built, their consistent, but both are also at 98 degrees right now lol. and they would get hotter if they weren't on a thermostat. their not self regulating, they just don't "get that hot"

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Originally Posted by stratus_020202

There are heat pads that normally don't get over 90. The problem is accounts for flex. Any small power surge could spike the heat for your pad, just because you don't see it doesn't mean it didn't happen. Although, you can get a dimmer switch, but you will need a warmer heat pad :)

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two big factors that change depending on peoples set up and houses are ambient temps and airflow, a heat pad could get 90 at your house with your setup and 110 in my reptile room.

also a power surge isn't going to affect the heat pad, I don't even think the elements would have time to heat up if they did it would be for half a second, no big deal, and a dimmer isn't going to stop a power surge, nor would the power surge affect it.....about the only thing that could be affected would actually be the circuitry in the thermostat, that's why they have fuses.

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Originally Posted by stratus_020202

That's a little cold for you hot side, should be more like 90-92. There are heat pads that normally don't get over 90. The problem is accounts for flex. Any small power surge could spike the heat for your pad, just because you don't see it doesn't mean it didn't happen. Although, you can get a dimmer switch, but you will need a warmer heat pad :)

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that is without my room heater going (haven't been in my room for a couple weeks) with the heater going it will be around 90-95 due to the fact it is about 10 degrees colder in there than anywhere in the house I stay upstairs while my uncles works offshore but he is home tonight so i will update you on the temps after my rooms gets from 60 to about 70 where i like to keep it

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Originally Posted by OhhWatALoser

i thought it was common knowledge lol, heat = thermostat

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Originally Posted by ME

I'm still new to snakes so i might be wrong lol just please comment on what you think

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Please read before arguing :)
not saying your arguing just using arguing for the lack of a better word atm

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Originally Posted by Byrdie

Please read before arguing :)
not saying your arguing just using arguing for the lack of a better word atm

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The correct response would be "thanks for the info" and not tell me I can't read :P

because then I come back and say something like this...

do you use the furnace in your house without a thermostat, do you use a space heater without a thermostat, does your car not use a thermostat, does your heated bed accessories not use a thermostat, ect... common knowledge, whether your new to reptiles or not :)

also im sure you read the caresheet which has this to say...

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Originally Posted by Ball-Python.net Caresheet for Ball Pythons

When using any sort of UTH, make sure there is some clearance beneath the enclosure to allow air circulation to prevent a build-up of excess heat. Also, no UTH should ever be used without some sort of control on the amount of heat it puts out. A reliable thermostat (Johnson Control, Ranco, Herpstat or Helix) is best, but an inexpensive rheostat (dimmer switch) purchased from the hardware store can work as well.

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I like to have the last word also :D

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Originally Posted by OhhWatALoser

i own 2 of those I used on my first rack I built, their consistent, but both are also at 98 degrees right now lol. and they would get hotter if they weren't on a thermostat. their not self regulating, they just don't "get that hot"

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True, not really self regulating but pretty close. But like it's recommended you should still have thermostat.
If people can't afford one, one should not have a snake.

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Originally Posted by OhhWatALoser

The correct response would be "thanks for the info" and not tell me I can't read :P

because then I come back and say something like this...

do you use the furnace in your house without a thermostat, do you use a space heater without a thermostat, does your car not use a thermostat, does your heated bed accessories not use a thermostat, ect... common knowledge, whether your new to reptiles or not :)

also im sure you read the caresheet which has this to say...



I like to have the last word also :D

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*takes a Deep Breath*

My heater in my room runs off of a Thermostat
My "cage" is 2 inches off the ground (i have 4 AAA batteries under it as "Spacers")
I have a dimmer switch that has yet to be plugged in because of the fact it HAS NOT gone higher than 88 inside the enclosure
and Lastly i HAVE read that care sheet and many more like it

Also as per your thanks you need to EARN something like that instead you came in here and bashed my ENTIRE set up without explaining why it was. Unlike MikeV who DID earn my thanks for explaining why it did not work so before you come in here and shout unfounded hate at a "newbie" i will ask you to think before you speak...

and as for the last word please try to make it intelligent this time instead of HATEFUL and uneducated...

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Originally Posted by Byrdie

*takes a Deep Breath*

My heater in my room runs off of a Thermostat
My "cage" is 2 inches off the ground (i have 4 AAA batteries under it as "Spacers")
I have a dimmer switch that has yet to be plugged in because of the fact it HAS NOT gone higher than 88 inside the enclosure
and Lastly i HAVE read that care sheet and many more like it

Also as per your thanks you need to EARN something like that instead you came in here and bashed my ENTIRE set up without explaining why it was. Unlike MikeV who DID earn my thanks for explaining why it did not work so before you come in here and shout unfounded hate at a "newbie" i will ask you to think before you speak...

and as for the last word please try to make it intelligent this time instead of HATEFUL and uneducated...

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wow this is starting to get a little hostile, last post was all in fun, but point being have a little respect for the people that answer your question.

lets recap

you wanted to know what the cheapest setup was, I told you, I did not bash anything. you refute by saying you don't need a thermostat/dimmer with UTH... which is incorrect information, you get corrected, I add a little more to it (this convo should of ended here or with an added "thanks for the info"), and you ask why I didn't tell you in the first place? well if you read the caresheet... you would of known, care sheet should be considered common knowledge around here, anyways, then give me a little disrepectful shot because "your new" and apparently i can't read...

at no time did shout newbie hate or show any disrespect until it was called for. you could of picked better adjectives to describe what I said such as harsh or direct. but nothing was hateful and I don't feel anything I said was uneducated.

its not that heatpad wouldn't work on a rack, as I said before, i use one...their expensive compared to flexwatt thats all. all heat need to be regulated as stated in the caresheet.

before things get too hostile, im done, you may have the last word...go ahead

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Originally Posted by OhhWatALoser

flexwatt is cheaper and you can just wire it all together so you only have 1 cord hanging out.

I don't even recess the heat into the wood, flexxwatt is thin enough you can just tape it down and the tubs slide over it. I would imagine most heatpads would be the same way tho. so i think you might be doing extra work.

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Instead of saying that you could have simply explained how flexxwatt is cheaper and how the heatpads NEED to be on a thermostat but no all you said was how much "extra work" my idea was that i only posted to thinking i would express a thought i had...

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Originally Posted by OhhWatALoser

wow this is starting to get a little hostile, last post was all in fun, but point being have a little respect for the people that answer your question.

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as for hostile I'm not being hostile I'm only defending the fact that thanks are earned... which if you would have READ the entire thread i DID thank MikeV for his helpful input as for respect its earned not given but if it means that much to you let me just say Thank you for replying to my thread with such "enthusiasm" so if that's all you wanted please refrain from continuing this pointless belittling argument :gj: