Flexwatt or ultratherm for AP

For a T-10 it says flex watt 11". Could you use ultratherm Mat instead? Or do they do all the hook up, tape ect? I was goi g to buy the Mat now since I don't have the money to buy the T-10 right now and was going to build up slowly.

I use Ultratherm UTHs on my AP cages.

I also use an Ultratherm for my AP cage and it works great!

Does not really matter as long as you install it correctly and regulate it properly. Improperly installed felxwatt can become a hazard but both AP and reptile basics (THG) will built the heat tape to your specifications. That would be my recommendation - do not put it together yourself unless you are like an electrician.

i like my Ultratherm on my T8 :)

So which ultratherm 11" do I get. They come in different lengths don't they? This would be for a t10.

I use flexwatt for all my AP cages. Ultratherm is basically the same thing. Just Ultratherm only comes in precut sizes where as flexwatt can be cut to pretty much any length. And just so you know, unless you are an electrician, it is illegal to wire up heat tape. I actually didnt know that until i talked to the owner of Bean Farm and his wife since i live close to them and go over there to get a lot of my stuff.

And to answer your question on which ultratherm to get, you want whichever one is about 1/4 to 1/3 the length of the cage and the full depth of the cage so something along the lines of 12-15 inches wide and 20-24 inches long. Like i said, i personally just went with APs flexwatt as i prefer to just get everything in 1 shot and i dont mind spending the little extra with them as they are a smaller family company that does an awesome job. Just be aware, AP LED lights dont last long lol. One of my T25s lights are dimming on me already. Time to call Ali and get a new set shipped to me. Not going to be fun pulling Caesars T25 off the stack to get to Vicky's top :(

Ok off topic. Where is the bean farm? I'm in Seattle too. They have a store front?

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Originally Posted by Sunnieskys

So which ultratherm 11" do I get. They come in different lengths don't they? This would be for a t10.

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Flexwatt and Ultratherms are essentially the same thing. u just have the convenience of a connected wire/plug on the Ultratherms (instead of connecting it yourself).

a T10 is what, 48inches long. i would get one between 1/2 to 1/3 of the cage, so 12-16inches long. this one is 17inches long and should work fine: https://www.beanfarm.com/collections...nt=24905301385


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Originally Posted by Sunnieskys

Ok off topic. Where is the bean farm? I'm in Seattle too. They have a store front?

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The Bean Farm is in Carnation. so they're in the steps of the Cascade's. i dont' think they have a store front per se, but a warehouse. i'm sure u can pick things up directly from them if u call them... or wait until the next reptile show in April/May. they good folks and local. :gj:

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Originally Posted by Sunnieskys

Ok off topic. Where is the bean farm? I'm in Seattle too. They have a store front?

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They are in Duvall and no they dont have a store front. They are an online shop or are vending at pretty much all reptile shows. I've just been going there for years so i kind of know them so i guess they dont really care if i call them and go out there. I also usually buy lots of stuff at once so the savings on shipping are nice.

And btw they wont wire up flexwatt for you as like i said, we were talking a couple days ago when i went up there to pick up the Zoo Med 18x18x18 along with all the lighting, heating, water cups etc and they told me you have to be an electrician to wire it.

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Originally Posted by Sauzo

And btw they wont wire up flexwatt for you as like i said, we were talking a couple days ago when i went up there to pick up the Zoo Med 18x18x18 along with all the lighting, heating, water cups etc and they told me you have to be an electrician to wire it.

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they probably said the electrician thing for liability purposes. plenty of peeps wire their own heat tape, me included. Bean Farm sells all the components: clipsets and individual pieces, prestripped cords and connected cords, etc. i like how they have Leopard print and Zebra print plastic bags when u buy stuff from them. :)

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Originally Posted by Ax01

they probably said the electrician thing for liability purposes. plenty of peeps wire their own heat tape, me included. Bean Farm sells all the components: clipsets and individual pieces, prestripped cords and connected cords, etc. i like how they have Leopard print and Zebra print plastic bags when u buy stuff from them. :)

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It is for liability. You can wire your own easily and dont even need the crimping tool, just some wide jaw pliers. I was just stating it if you expect a store to wire it up for you. RBI wires it but I'm not sure if Rich is a certified electrician or not. I would imagine so unless he wants the liability risk lol. Heck when i was up there just BSing with them at Bean Farm, they offer the connected cords like you listed. All you need is the plastic insulator and then squeeze the clips onto the flexwatt piece.

I guess it comes down to if you have zero experience in wiring electrical equipment or cannot find a business to do it for you, just get the premade stuff and avoid the hassle. A lot of us have years of experience doing wiring and plumbing and husbandry control through similar experience in jobs or from many years of being in this or the aquarium hobby. It is nothing to be ashamed of being uncomfortable DIYing something and far better to just get it already made than save a buck and end up frying yourself in the process.