Heating animal plastics cages?

[brobertson]

I am soon going to get an animal plastics T3 (36 x24 x12) but I am unsure of how to heatit. My room stays around 73-75 ambient, so too low for just belly heat. I have a low wattage CHE that I could use, but I am worried it will dry up the tank. I don't have the money or proper t-stat for a rhp (they need proportional right)

What should I do?
Also, for belly heat, would you recommend the heat that animal plastics sells(flex watt) pr should I get a different heat pad?

[oskyle1567]

Im not sure about heating a AP cage but if you do decide to use a ceramic heater you could set up a seatbox or just use cyprus mulch heavy saturated. I have no experience but im sure someone else with some will have better information.

[scottcovell]

I just got my first flexwatt 3 weeks ago and I love it! It's cheaper than the other matts and its an even heat. The other brands I have had always have hotter and cooler spots.

[The Serpent Merchant]

Check out this thread I wrote on AP cages: http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...With-Pictures!

You should be fine with just using the flexwatt sold by AP. Ap cages stay warmer than the room they are in, because the are so well insulated. You can use a on/off style thermostat, but I would recommend replacing it with a proportional thermostat when possible down the road.

Here are 2 good thermostat options:

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

High Quality Proportional: http://www.spyderrobotics.com/store/...4edb33b6438d7e

[RestlessRobie]

One more option would be a radiant heat panel I have 2 of them from Reptile Basics and love them. I built custom enclosures using the APt-8 as a template and well the Heat Panles work great they never get hot enough to burn and I can hold my hand on them with out an issue and they keep my ambients great. Ofcourse they are regulated with a T-stat but it was well worht the investment give Rich a Call he is great to work with

[BFE Pets]

I use flex watt and couldnt be happier with the results. When i first started i couldnt afford the racks, flexwatt, and proper rheostat. so i comprimised and bought the racks and flexwatt. I got the flexwatt from reptilebasics.com and for a rheostat i went to home depot and bought a 300 watt dimmer for a table lamp. you plug in your flexwatt to it and it plugs into the wall and has a slide on it to adjust the amount of power to your flexwatt. now it isnt ideal but for $13 you cant complain to much. Also it isnt self regulating so you need to monitor your temps with a gun and adjust it manually. I put a line on it for daytime and another for night time. I have since then upgraded but its a great way to save a little money for a couple months.

[brobertson]

so would I be ok using only flexwatt in a 70-75 degree room?

[The Serpent Merchant]

Should be fine, that's about what my room stays at.

[BFE Pets]

same here room is 72 and using flexwatt my hot spot in the tubs run 93 and the cool end is normally 83 now using hydro stat to control.

[BillyBlanco]

My room stays around in the 60's so would the Flexwatt work fine by itself on the T3 model?