Human Heating Pad

What brand and type are you guys using? I saw some at Wal-Mart, but most came with an "Auto-Off" feature.. now, does this defeat the purpose of using it if it's not a continuous heat source? The only one they had that had continuous was a big mat, that had either continuous or auto-off switch.

Is it safe to buy the auto-off setting ones, or just stick with continuous?

Hi,

I'm curious why not buy a reptile heating pad instead and a thermostat?

Wouldn't that be a lot safer and more reliable in the long run?


dr del

Well, I wanted to use this on a rubbermaid.. and the human pads come with a blanket type cover for the pad.. and it already has a thermostat on it.. so, I thought this would be the cheapest and best option to go with..

They do not have a thermostat on them. They are not appropriate for use with reptiles, and are a notorious source of house fires, hence the auto-off feature.

Well, most come with a rheostat, but at the same time they aren't designed to be run for more than a half hour at a time - which is why they have the auto off.

Yes purchasing a reptile UTH and thermostat is more expensive, but in the long run it will save you both money and stress. It will last longer, and with a thermostat regulating to the degree, there is less 'what if' room.

Okay, now.. how do I place a reptile UTH so that it will not damage a rubbermaid?

They don't get hot enough to melt a rubbermaid. I'm sure you can find the exact temperature that they melt somewhere on google, but your UTH won't get that hot. And if it does then you just killed your snake anyway.... Get a thermostat with it, keep it set to never go above 94-95 on the bottom and the rubbermaid will never be damaged, and your snake will never be burnt

Okay, I plan to get a Ultratherm UTH.. now, what size would suffice for a 2 1/2 foot BP? 11"x11" or 6"x11".. don't wanna give too much heat.. but I don't wanna give less than enough.

one that will cover no more than half of your enclosure :)

Base the size of your pad on the size of your enclosure, not the size of your animal.

Human heat pads have an auto shut off after one hour...If you use a proper heat pad with a proper thermostat or rheostat, then you will be just fine. Rubbermaids don't melt at 92 degrees...

You need to use a UTH (Under tank heater) designed for reptiles. Human heating pad are not designed to run 24/7, this could be a fire hazard. They also do not have a thermostat to maintain proper temps that are required to properly maintain your BP.

You will need a UTH and a good thermostat to maintain proper temps and avoid overheating that could lead to severe burns.

Okay.. here's my debate.. it says this in the Ball-Pythons.net care guide.. and everyone here says that these should not be used...

"Heating pads designed for human use have been used with great success by a large number of keepers – but it must be noted that you must obtain one which does not have the “auto-shutoff” feature or you will be unable to maintain your temperatures. These are usually available in large stores and pharmacies for appx $10 and the same caveats for UTH apply – make sure you have some clearance under your enclosure."

That's right out the care guide, which can be found here...
http://www.ball-pythons.net/modules....op=viewarticle

those ones are different then what you are talking about. you mentioned it had a blanket like cover and an auto-off feature, which is different then the one being referred to in the caresheet.

if you really want to use it because its cheap go ahead... but remember you get what you pay for.

Good catch, I must say.

A lot of people constantly say "don't do this...read the care sheet"..and totally contradict themselves because in the care sheet it says to do exactly what they were told not to do.

Note this, ayobreezie. As time goes on, people gain experience in keeping reptiles. As they gain this experience, care sheets get updated. Personally, I think that bit of information should be removed. There has been reports that the human heating pads have caused fires, because they truly are not meant to be left on 24/7.

So, IMO, your best option is to spend a little more money on the things that are meant for the husbandry of reptiles. But, you don't have to listen to me, or anyone for that matter. Some people learn from experience....even bad ones.

yeah just wanted clarification

Kudos to you :gj:

Whatever man, like you said.. people tell me to do this, but then I read on the same site that you guys are answering my question to.. it contradicts what you guys have told me.. how about an update to that? I KNOW moderators are on here daily.

And no, they wouldn't be different if I got the same ones, now would it? I was asking about human heating pads in general.. and if these would work.. everyone answered with.. don't use human heating pads at all...

well before under tank heat pads where made specifically for reptiles people had to use other things... like human heat pads. that caresheet maybe a little outdated, but that doesn't mean it will be ok to go the old way.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ayobreezie

Whatever man,

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I think you've mis-understood me.

I was giving you credit for pointing that out, not being a smart ass. If you don't want it, then just PM an admin and have them remove the positive rep point I gave you.

Hi,

I'm a little unsure what you meant about moderators.

If you mean would that section make it into an updated caresheet then possibly not but that would be up to the author.:)

On the heatpads themselves, given they are not designed to be used 24/7, I would probably want to use a thermostat to safegaurd a bit at least. Maybe I am missing something but they seem to be about the same price as flexwatt as far as I can see.

This is a forum and, while there are recomendations we generally make in common, there will always be differences of opinion and preferences which change over time.

Trust me on this some of the things we used to do and use ten years ago seem barbaric when I look back on them (were about 10 years behind you over here in reptile care and equpiment for the most part).

I may have gotten the wrong end of the stick and if this is the case just singout.:cool:


dr del

I don't think 03 - 04 was before heat pads were made.. because I'm pretty sure UTH's were used for available for quite some time.. because from what I read.. all the posts from about 03 - 04 - 05.. they were all trying to use human heat pads as a cheaper means.. and most everyone was stating how much cheaper and more efficient they were.. no hot spots, bigger surface area, rheostat attached, etc.

Ohh, okay.. I took it a bit offensive..

And that's what I meant about moderators.. but you pointed out that the author needs to update the caresheet.

Hi,


There must have been heat pads of a sort indeed - we even had some over here 10 years ago. Mind you we still only have the same kind over here and they are complete rubbish compared to the ones you have available.

I think as the available equipment dedicated to reptiles gets better fewer of the old solutions are really valid any more.

A dimmer switch costs about $12 over here if your prepared to wire it yourself but dimmers only make sense in stable ambient room temps as you have to be constantly adjusting them otherwise.

Check out the prices of flexwatt and things at reptile basics - the amount of money you would save buying a human heat pad is now so little I can't see it as a factor at all.

When you add in the price of a thermostat then the difference becomes a fraction of the price you need to spend on the most important thing in your reptiles life.

None of those advantages you mention is really a factor anymore either, modern UTH's dont suffer from hot spots any more than the human heat pads, flexwatt comes in a wide variety of widths and can be as long as your t/stat will handle and if the cost of a rheostat is a problem then, to be honest, exotic reptiles may not be the best pet for you to keep.

Yeah, updating the caresheets and guides could be a scarily big task.:eek:



dr del

No, the cost of a rheostat or a thermostat is not the problem.. but would I rather have that extra cash in my pocket if I don't need to purchase something that is obsolete, in those reviews, to a cheaper, more efficient heat source? Yeah.. that's the point I was getting at.. I want to explore my options.. because yes, I heat my snakes with UTH's right now.. but they're the stick on tank type.. and since I plan on moving my ball into a rubbermaid, I want a non-stick. And I'm expanding my knowledge of what's available before I just go blowing cash. I'd much rather spend that extra $10 - $15 on feeder rats for my ball if there was an advantage in saving that money..

Just saying that from what I was reading, my thoughts were... "Well, you could buy the expensive things, but you could save money and get something better that's cheaper..."

Hi,


Ok cool, we don't have the stick on type over here at all and I can only imagine how much of a PITA they can be.

Remember you can also phone the shops we mention to ask their advice for specific situations - everyone I've heard talking about Ritch has praised his advice even when they weren't buying anything from him at the time.


dr del

Yeah, he gave me pretty good advice.. flexwatt or ultratherm + dimmer.. and I'll probably be ordering ultratherm from him.

Thanks for all the responses.. but I got a bit defensive and was pretty much really confused.. because like I said, I was reading one thing and being told another.. and everyone didn't bother to really give any other information other than "Why would you want to do that? Buy this, buy that... it's better for your snake.."

I took that as someone saying "Buy this car, it'll save you gas, and it's fast and you'll love it." Am I supposed to just take your word and not wondering why?

But thanks for all responses. Very appreciated.