flexwatt problem

I put 1 foot of 11" flexwatt in my wood cage under 2" of reptile bark. It is hooked up to a zoomed thermostat control. I can't seem to get my temps below 100 deg even on the lowest setting. The temp is being taken from inside the hide above the flexwatt. I would hate to think what it would be if turned all the way up. How can I cool it down?

Thats cause the flexwatt needs to be OUTSIDE the cage. Attach it to the bottom and tape the thermostat probe to the flexwatt and set the temp. Give it a hour or so to heat up.

you may also need a better thermostat, especially with flexwatt. If you're at the lowest 'setting' thats pretty vague control of the temperature. Better to have a thermostat which can have a set temperature

All the breeder plans I used to build my cage with melamine bottom and wood sides show the flexwatt inside the cage. So, now I'm really lost.

Bean Farm, where I bought it, says not tp put it underneath a wooden enclosure, but to put it inside the cage.

Hmm....with wood it might be different, but the only time I've seen flexwatt inside of a cage was in a GTP cage. It's a little dangerous for the bp to be able to lay directly on the flexwatt. Back heat in a tree snake cage isn't as big of a deal. Also, if it's that hot on the lowest setting you probably have way too much flexwatt for the space you are heating.

Can I cut the flexwatt?

you can cut parallel to the lines, but make sure you don't cut them perpendicularly. They've got a good flexwatt faq:

http://www.reptilebasics.com/flexwatt-faq

Quote:

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Originally Posted by texas_surfer

All the breeder plans I used to build my cage with melamine bottom and wood sides show the flexwatt inside the cage. So, now I'm really lost.

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you need to do something to waterproof the flexwatt. some people put down the flexwatt then vinyl flooring or tile over it so it's sealed.

also if you cannot get the flexwatt below any temp, you need a new way to control the temp. a 10 dollar rheostat can get you at any temp you want. obviously a thermostat will do a better job of keeping consistent temps

Thanks for all the advice. I cut it in half and it worked perfectly, keeping a steady temp between 85 and 90.

Flexwatt gets wet from spilled water and you might have fried snake if you didn't insulate the connections?
Flexwatt IMO should never be inside an enclosure, whether beanfarm says it's ok or not.

If flexwatt is outside on the bottom of a custom wooden enclosure, how does it heat the hot spot? Does it heat through the wood? Does that mean you'd have to have your thermostat set on a much higher temperature to get the right hot spot?

No, it means that wooden enclosures aren't the best idea for ball pythons ;)

Why?

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Flexwatt needs to be outside of the cage. If needing to install heat inside i suggest Kane heat mats or Ultratherms on a thermostat. More expensive route is Radient heat panel but that gets costly with collections.

Ultratherms are basically flexwatt sealed to be water proof. Ill repeat id never ever use flexwatt inside.

Here is how i did a display cage for my boa. Thermostat was hot glued on the ultratherm so it can not be moved. I also drilled vent holes in bottom of cage under ultratherm for ventilation.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y14...nk/tankUTH.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y14...anktile003.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y14...lesdone002.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y14.../t-stat002.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y14.../t-stat001.jpg

Quote:

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Originally Posted by texas_surfer

Thanks for all the advice. I cut it in half and it worked perfectly, keeping a steady temp between 85 and 90.

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The best place I have found answers for my flexiwatt questions is from Jeff at Helix controls. He told me how to sandwich it between lexan and the cage bottom so the snake can't lay directly on it or urinate or deficate on it.