Moving Stitch from 20g terrarium to a 32qt. tub

[MmmBanana]

Hello!

I recently decided I am gonna move my ball python from a 20g exo terra terrarium to a tub. I have a couple questions about setting up the tub.

In the future I plan on getting an AP 4/8 rack. So I decided to get a Sterlite 32qt tub since that's the size that rack holds. My first dilemma is that I ordered the heat tape for the tub yesterday. I went off the tub dimensions given online. I got the tub today and realized that the dimensions are given for the top of the top, and the bottom tapers down some. So, my heat tape is 12in heat tape, and I asked reptile basics to cut it to 16in long. I will have to trim it to about 12in to fit the bottom of the tub. But even at 12x12, that is gonna cover a hair more than half the tub. Will that be too much tub covered by heat tape? I wanted to cover half because the tub will be in a room where the temp will probably stay 68-70F. I will be controlling the temps with a herpstat.

[MmmBanana]

Just because I enjoy pictures in threads that don't require pictures. Here is a iPhone picture of the little guy!


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[bcr229]

It'll be fine. I wouldn't even bother cutting the heat tape, just put only as much as you need to under the tub.

If your room temp is 68-70*F then having most of the tub floor be warm may be for the best anyway.

[MmmBanana]

Awesome! That's what I was hoping for, but I wanted to ask to get some opinions from some people with some more experience! I was thinking with a quality thermostat I would be able to fines the temps to get the whole tub to a suitable temp. I guess worse case I could cut the heat tape in half and just have both sides controlled(herpstat 2).

[BPGator]

My concern is the 68-70° room temps. The heat tape won't really help that in the tub. You may need to provide some additional heat source to increase the air temperature.


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[MmmBanana]

So if I have half the tank 90F from the heat tape, you don't think the other half will be at least 80F? I don't have any experience with heat tape, maybe its not as effective as I was thinking?

[redshepherd]

So if I have half the tank 90F from the heat tape, you don't think the other half will be at least 80F? I don't have any experience with heat tape, maybe its not as effective as I was thinking?

Yeah, heat tape will only heat the plastic bottom of the tub, but that's not enough heat to bump the ambient temp up that much. The ambient temp might go up 2~3 degrees inside the tub, that's it.

[MmmBanana]

What options do I have to heat the ambient air? Or is heating the whole room my only option?

[bcr229]

Heat tape doesn't increase the ambient temp in the tub because the plastic is a poor insulator. Covering the lid and three of the sides with a blanket or towel, leaving just one short side open for light, will help. A tight-fitting hide that is just large enough for the snake placed over the heat tape will also help, as the ambient under the hide will be higher than in the rest of the tub.

[MmmBanana]

I can cover the sides wit something to try and keep the heat in. I just got my heat tape. I have till Thursday to figure things out. Ill set everything up tomorrow morning and start experimenting.