Heat Tape Recomendations

Hi all,

I am in the midst of setting up my BP rack. I have looked into some heat tape but I wanted some different opinions too. I talked to the guy at my local reptile shop and he said a reptile shop in our town actually burned down a few years back from the heat tape malfunctioning. I am just curious what everyone is using. Also, what type of thermostat are you running? Any opinions on the zoomed brands?
Thanks!!! :) I wanna have a good set up.

I'm currently using flexwat brand heat tape. I know that is what a lot of people are currently using, but now there is a new brand of heat tape that is sold by reptile basics that is supposedly superior and safer than flexwat. I think the brand is THA, don't quote me on that.

The only thing with heat tape is that you must use a thermostat with it. Also if the connections are made properly and the heat tape is mounted correctly, problems shouldn't occur too often.

I run a Helix thermostat and Heat Tape from Reptile Basics.

http://www.reptilebasics.com/heat-tape

http://helixcontrols.com/?page_id=42

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Originally Posted by EAC Reptiles

but now there is a new brand of heat tape that is sold by reptile basics that is supposedly superior and safer than flexwat. I think the brand is THA, don't quote me on that.

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Close, it's THG Heat

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Originally Posted by MsGolightly

Hi all,

I am in the midst of setting up my BP rack. I have looked into some heat tape but I wanted some different opinions too. I talked to the guy at my local reptile shop and he said a reptile shop in our town actually burned down a few years back from the heat tape malfunctioning. I am just curious what everyone is using. Also, what type of thermostat are you running? Any opinions on the zoomed brands?
Thanks!!! :) I wanna have a good set up.

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I've used Flexwatt heat tape, and it works ok. THG heat tape is much better. THG Heat tape has better build quality, and produces more even heat.

ZooMed thermostats are junk and not even worth considering.

Here are some god thermostats:

Budget (one use this is you really need to)

http://www.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-MTPR.../dp/B000NZZG3S

Mid-Range: http://www.reptilebasics.com/thermos...stat-prewired/

Best: http://spyderrobotics.com/home/products.html

I bought some THG. The stuff works great. I got mine at Pangea.

I use zoo med UTH mats and hydrofarm thermostats to regulate the UTH

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Originally Posted by led-zep

I run a Helix thermostat and Heat Tape from Reptile Basics.

http://www.reptilebasics.com/heat-tape

http://helixcontrols.com/?page_id=42

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60$ for a crimping tool,talk about them trying to rip ppl off,what a joke

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Originally Posted by NYHC4LIFE8899

60$ for a crimping tool,talk about them trying to rip ppl off,what a joke

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You evidently do not know quality tools and maybe not too much about working smarter than harder?
You could also learn to solder.

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h1...psf129d86a.jpg




I have both THG and Flex-a-watt, the big difference is flex is a heating element that was adopted into the reptile world while THG was made for the sole purpose of the reptile world.;)

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Originally Posted by PitOnTheProwl

You evidently do not know quality tools and maybe not too much about working smarter than harder?
You could also learn to solder.

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h1...psf129d86a.jpg




I have both THG and Flex-a-watt, the big difference is flex is a heating element that was adopted into the reptile world while THG was made for the sole purpose of the reptile world.;)

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your comparingapples to oranges..I'm not doing electric work on a home,I'm crimping heat tape,lol..so your commen above is pointless...
I know quality tools,bubba. Spending $60 on a crimping tool for heat tape is a high joke and rip off,a rip off..IF I am doing some serious work then quality is what I wrk with,if I'm crimping heat tape,I'm not spending $60 on a tool. I work For a company that supplies garbage tools and well supplying garbage tools when your working on 6" -20" live gas mains isn't the way to do things,I deal with I daily...again crimping heat tape,I'm spending $10-$20 on a crimping tool ,tops...

Thanks guys!! I think I am really going to consider the THG heat tape. Like it was stated it was made for the reptile world. Also, thank to for the thermostat feedback! Zoomed is the only brand my local reptile store carries so I thought Id ask. Kind of assumed that I would get the response I did.

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Originally Posted by MsGolightly

Thanks guys!! I think I am really going to consider the THG heat tape. Like it was stated it was made for the reptile world. Also, thank to for the thermostat feedback! Zoomed is the only brand my local reptile store carries so I thought Id ask. Kind of assumed that I would get the response I did.

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I get a,or of stuff off of eBay,if you don't have an account,set one up...definitely worth it..

I have zoo meds mats on both my tanks and with no problems whatso ever

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Originally Posted by NYHC4LIFE8899

IF I am doing some serious work then quality is what I wrk with,if I'm crimping heat tape,I'm not spending $60 on a tool.

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So crimping Heat Tape that could potentially be a fire hazard when not crimped correctly is not serious work?? I work in the electrical field, maybe you rely on breaker's. I don't! So I guess the $600 my company spends on our Fluke meter's to protect us is a joke to you too?? SMH

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Originally Posted by led-zep

So crimping Heat Tape that could potentially be a fire hazard when not crimped correctly is not serious work?? I work in the electrical field, maybe you rely on breaker's. I don't! So I guess the $600 my company spends on our Fluke meter's to protect us is a joke to you too?? SMH

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So you need to spend $60 on a crimping tool to crimp heat tape cause one for $20 wouldn't do the same job "SMH"( I usually just use lol,but not the rest of them tacky terms)...how often are u using this tool to crimp heat tape? How often are you using a crimping tool while doing electric work?

let's figure this out together as a team :) ,elect work, your career ,use tools every day,quality last,espececially when used every day,so your best bet is go quality. Me personally I like all Milwaukee tools,not big in hilti or dewalt. Hilti is great for hammer drills and dewalts for dry wall guns..I still prefer Milwaukee,but sorry to you off topic....now heat tape,use once to crimp heat tape,heat tape goes bad let's say 3 months later use crimping tool again,goes to bottom of glass tank and is regulated by thermostat,yup huge fire hazard,cause a $20 crimping tool can't do the same job as a $60 crimping tool,especially when it's go by to be mainly collecting dust almost all year if your only use for it is for crimping...

so you spend $60 on something u will use 3-4 times a year...yeah that makes sense,cause a crimping tool for $20 won't do the trick..come on man,don't waste my time,don't just debate to make argument with me just cause it's me,lol

again apples and oranges...don't compare every day use to 4 times a year use,that's more common sense.

Now what companies spend on tools for every day use is diff,don't forget insurance is an issue,your workers are safe with the right material,u have little injuries or mistakes to worry about,that depends if you have quality workers ofcourse.. So please just stop,cause your making yourself sound________. Don't compare your companies and heavy duty working tools to crimping heat tape every 3 months..I can't make that clear enough

and I work with fluke meters on a reg basis,but we basically use it to make sure we have continuity on couplings for fusing polyethylene..we also use to make sure ppl use insulators when using inside couplings,that the two nipples or 2 pieces of steel pipe aren't conducting any static electricity ,so please stop while your ahead man,you can't clown me..but u can keep trying

Oh and I worked with Local 3 electricians for 8 yrs while I was a Union carpenter..I seen how electricians work,lol...so yeah more like your tools are more likely collecting dust??do u also wrk while sitting on a 5 gallon pale? I stand while work..but I'm not a carpenter anymore. Now I work on heavy duty gas mains and services for the past 7 yrs,sizes from 1/2" to 30" and I also work with tapping tools of high quality and very heavy duty. Tapping gas mains with a B-101 or d5 or e5 or Boyd machine you have to have the best and we do. I also do inside plumbing work threading steel pipe etc... I use to weld,but only arc weld but that was years ago when I was a carpenter.. I am scared of electric work, I don't like it.;)

Do you even use Heat Tape? Because I could of swore in a couple of posts up you said you use ZooMed Heat Pads. All you are doing is what you normally do. Running your mouth about things you have no experience with, then when people who do have the experience chime in you bully them and look for a fight. Why the mods haven't banned you is a mystery to us all. O yeah I'm from Texas too, So aren't you gonna ask me where my flag is?? Or if I have sheep to go heard?? Don't bother replying, I'm done listening to you.

THG Heat Tape and Herpstats for my thermostats.

If you do get a ZooMed UTH, don't adhere it directly to the enclosure. Flip the UTH upside down, put foil tape were the adhesive part is, flip it back over and then tape it to the bottom of the tank. The components on the inside of a UTH can become damaged when you try and pull the UTH off, by doing it this way you can easily remove the UTH without causing any damage and put it on another enclosure if you need.


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THG heat tape on Herpstats.

I've had both flexwatt and THG. The THG seems to heat the tape more consistently throughout the entire tape. Its also slightly more energy efficient. My Flexwatt had hot spots and cold spots throughout the tape and was not consistent at all.

THG heat tape all the way.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

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Originally Posted by NYHC4LIFE8899

your comparingapples to oranges..I'm not doing electric work on a home,I'm crimping heat tape,lol..so your commen above is pointless...
I know quality tools,bubba,where's that flag hanging..get er done.,don't you have a sheep to go attend to? Spending $60 on a crimping tool for heat tape is a high joke and rip off,a rip off..IF I am doing some serious work then quality is what I wrk with,if I'm crimping heat tape,I'm not spending $60 on a tool. I work For a company that supplies garbage tools and well supplying garbage tools when your working on 6" -20" live gas mains isn't the way to do things,I deal with I daily...again crimping heat tape,I'm spending $10-$20 on a crimping tool ,tops...

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Again your are proving your intellectual aptitude and "turning over a new leaf.
You do not use heat tape of any sort and buy pre maid so your opinion here it totally pointless on a better brand thread.
Second, do you even know what type of connection is recommended for the THG tape? Your regular automotive style crimpers don't do a rivet do they?
Third, a bad crimp or solder causes resistance, resistance causes heat build up, and this can lead to a fire.
So when you have a large collection and drop your tanks for racks you can gamble on your owns apartment and everyone else that live in that building.
Know what you preach about or shut your mouth and learn something rather than trying to make comments that are pointless and worthless around here Mr Keyboard warrior ;)
As many comments I could make that are family friendly about you and your other post not to mention your photos, I respect this board more than that however I'm not hard to find elsewhere either big boi. :blowkiss:

Well, that escalated quickly. AND GETTING BACK TO THE SUBJECT MATTER BEFORE THE THREAD WAS HIJACKED. I use THG heat tape cut into individual pieces(which Reptile Basics will do for you if you ask), each piece is properly CRIMPED and insulated for safety. These strips are all wired together and plugged into a HERPSTAT 1 from Spyder Robotics. It was a bit costly but altogether I don't regret these purchases because of the reliability and safety of their respective products.

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Originally Posted by TheSnakeGuy

Well, that escalated quickly. AND GETTING BACK TO THE SUBJECT MATTER BEFORE THE THREAD WAS HIJACKED. I use THG heat tape cut into individual pieces(which Reptile Basics will do for you if you ask), each piece is properly CRIMPED and insulated for safety. These strips are all wired together and plugged into a HERPSTAT 1 from Spyder Robotics. It was a bit costly but altogether I don't regret these purchases because of the reliability and safety of their respective products.

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Actually wasn't jacked, more of a lesson on using the proper tools on the job at hand.
What is your difference in temps when plugging multiple pieces into a power strip then into your stat?
I wire all of mine together and then only have one plug into the stat from each rack.
Some people like each piece having its own plug so they can replace it when it goes bad.
Its just as easy to do when they are soldered together too.

Personally I wouldn't use anything zoomed brand. My rack has flex watt on it, run by a herpstat. My boas and gtp all have the newer thg tape, again run by herpstats. All of my connections are soldered. I do prefer thg, and will eventually be changing my rack to that. Reptile basics, and spyder robotics can provide you with all you will need for your snake. :)

NYHC, stop talking about stuff you have no experience with. Are you just trying to up your post count? Proper connections whether soldered or crimped are very important, as that could be a potential fire hazard. I hope newbies don't come on and find your crap info and follow that. And taking swings at a mod? Smart move. :rolleyes:

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Originally Posted by PitOnTheProwl

Actually wasn't jacked, more of a lesson on using the proper tools on the job at hand.
What is your difference in temps when plugging multiple pieces into a power strip then into your stat?
I wire all of mine together and then only have one plug into the stat from each rack.
Some people like each piece having its own plug so they can replace it when it goes bad.
Its just as easy to do when they are soldered together too.

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I don't think he was talking about power strips. If I understand his meaning, he cuts the tape into strips,wires them all into a single cable, then plugs that into the Tstat. Basically creating a multiple element heater.

Nice 2A sticker BTW. I actually started a blog page a while back called Pythons, Pistols, and Pit Bulls. 3 things I advocate for very passionately.

Also, having been an avionics tech and aircraft electrician for both the Navy and Northrop Grumman, I've built a pretty impressive collection of crimping tools. I've got a few turret crimps that set me back $200+. $60 for a crimper? I'll take two please, and call it a bargain.

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Originally Posted by patientz3ro

I don't think he was talking about power strips. If I understand his meaning, he cuts the tape into strips,wires them all into a single cable, then plugs that into the Tstat. Basically creating a multiple element heater.

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Yeah, my bad there, I saw the Reptile Basics and didn't think of them just cutting it. I know they will install the plugs too.:oops:

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Originally Posted by patientz3ro

Nice 2A sticker BTW. I actually started a blog page a while back called Pythons, Pistols, and Pit Bulls. 3 things I advocate for very passionately.

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:gj::gj:TY:gj::gj:

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Originally Posted by PitOnTheProwl

Actually wasn't jacked, more of a lesson on using the proper tools on the job at hand.
What is your difference in temps when plugging multiple pieces into a power strip then into your stat?
I wire all of mine together and then only have one plug into the stat from each rack.
Some people like each piece having its own plug so they can replace it when it goes bad.
Its just as easy to do when they are soldered together too.

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Yeah I wire all mine together too. Actually I have flexwatt I got off Ebay on a couple of the top shelves. Later I moved to using Reptile Basic's THG. For me both are working great I monitor them with a temp gun. And I soldered all mine together then used liquid electrical tape, about 4 coats. Flux is the key to good solder joints.

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Originally Posted by led-zep

Yeah I wire all mine together too. Actually I have flexwatt I got off Ebay on a couple of the top shelves. Later I moved to using Reptile Basic's THG. For me both are working great I monitor them with a temp gun. And I soldered all mine together then used liquid electrical tape, about 4 coats.

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You're running the two different tapes on the same thermostat?

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Originally Posted by DooLittle

You're running the two different tapes on the same thermostat?

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Yep. I know some don't agree with that but it's just until I can phase all the flexwatt stuff out. They are all 4" that are hooked to one thermostat though. I have some 11" on the 41qt tubs but they have a different thermostat. I monitor them all morning and evening with my temp gun, they are all within 1 degree of each other. And its only 4 shelves.

I used both kind and can't wait for the new version of flex to hit the shelves in 2014. I cant tell the difference they do the same thing

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Originally Posted by led-zep

Yep. I know some don't agree with that but it's just until I can phase all the flexwatt stuff out. They are all 4" that are hooked to one thermostat though. I have some 11" on the 41qt tubs but they have a different thermostat. I monitor them all morning and evening with my temp gun, they are all within 1 degree of each other. And its only 4 shelves.

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how are you running to different kind on the same temp controller

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Originally Posted by southbay54

how are you running to different kind on the same temp controller

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More thank likely they are the same wattage.

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Originally Posted by PitOnTheProwl

More thank likely they are the same wattage.

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Correct. They are almost the same, within 1 to 2 watts

good just checking lol

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Originally Posted by TheSnakeGuy

Well, that escalated quickly. AND GETTING BACK TO THE SUBJECT MATTER BEFORE THE THREAD WAS HIJACKED. I use THG heat tape cut into individual pieces(which Reptile Basics will do for you if you ask), each piece is properly CRIMPED and insulated for safety. These strips are all wired together and plugged into a HERPSTAT 1 from Spyder Robotics. It was a bit costly but altogether I don't regret these purchases because of the reliability and safety of their respective products.

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So you just ask them to cut th tape to match the size of your shelves correct? Or am I totally off? This has actually been a very useful thred, despite the craziness lol. Thank you all!! :)

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Originally Posted by MsGolightly

So you just ask them to cut th tape to match the size of your shelves correct? Or am I totally off? This has actually been a very useful thred, despite the craziness lol. Thank you all!! :)

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We have always done our own, but from what I understand, Reptile Basics will cut it to your specifications, as well as wire it for you. Rich is a great guy to work with. Don't be afraid to call or email him, he is super helpful.

Yep. If you give them all the desired info Reptile Basic's will fix you up. As long as you purchase the connector's and stuff.

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Just changed my Vision cages to THG today. It is great and was a breeze to assemble.

I'm running 3 racks with flexwatt and two racks with THG. I don't notice a huge difference between the racks, but as I update and build new racks I'll be using THG. It heats up much more slowly and is a quality product for the reptile industry. It's still just as dangerous as flexwatt if it's not regulated, so don't kid yourself on that.

As for wiring it. If you don't want to buy the tool order it wired...

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Originally Posted by NYHC4LIFE8899

60$ for a crimping tool,talk about them trying to rip ppl off,what a joke

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As an owner of THG Heat, I would love to offer a less expensive, flat jawed, leveraged crimper. I'm not aware of a $20 version, I would love to be enlightened. You can't just use "any crimper". It needs to be leveraged, to get a powerful crimp, as well as parallel flat jawed.

We had to order a ton of these to get even a $60 retail price, and even then the margin is very slim.

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Originally Posted by Robyn@SYR

As an owner of THG Heat, I would love to offer a less expensive, flat jawed, leveraged crimper. I'm not aware of a $20 version, I would love to be enlightened. You can't just use "any crimper". It needs to be leveraged, to get a powerful crimp, as well as parallel flat jawed.

We had to order a ton of these to get even a $60 retail price, and even then the margin is very slim.

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There are some of us that appreciate you passing on the savings Robyn. I would get a set but I solder so I cannot justify them and my wife said I don't need any more toys because I already need another tool box at work. (the photo is just what is in my garage at home ;) )