Hot Glue Gun safe in tank?

[Sammy J.]

I want to secure a reptile mat on top of where the UTH is. Will using a hot glue gun be safe for the future occupant?

The mat is on top of the glass, the heater under.

[mainbutter]

I BELIEVE so, but am not 110% certain.. Non-toxic, non-sticky when dry, no reason I can think of why it wouldn't work.

[dr del]

Hi,

The glue should be safe once it cools.

But why are you gluing down a mat? Please don't say it is to control the temp of the matt.

If the temp of the matt is the problem please consider using a rheostat or, even better, a thermostat.


dr del

[Spaniard]

Hi,

The glue should be safe once it cools.

But why are you gluing down a mat? Please don't say it is to control the temp of the matt.

If the temp of the matt is the problem please consider using a rheostat or, even better, a thermostat.


dr del

The mat looks like it would absorb stuff as well. Anything you put in your tank should be easy to remove and/or clean. Otherwise you get bacteria parties that could lead to scale rot.

[Sammy J.]

Not at all! Thanks for asking. This will be a hatchling tank, and I do not want the baby to burrow in the bedding and on the glass above the heater. And yes I have a thermostat and temp monitor.

[Sammy J.]

The mat looks like it would absorb stuff as well. Anything you put in your tank should be easy to remove and/or clean. Otherwise you get bacteria parties that could lead to scale rot.

Good Point! Sounds like some man tape (duct tape) to hold in place so it can be removed.

Thanks

[dr del]

Good god no.

No tape inside snake tanks unless it is really low tack stuff like painters tape.

Trust me I have seen enough "help my nake got stuck to tape" threads to last me a lifetime.

Nobody ever thinks the tape will come loose enough and that the snake will never get into the position where it can get stuck - it will and it will.

Sods law.


dr del

[dr del]

Trust me,

You don't need the matt at all.

Just monitor the temps on the glass under whatever substrate you choose and make sure it doesn't get over 95f and then adjust the substrate type/ depth until it reads 90-94f inside the hot end hide and everything will work out fine.


dr del

[Seneschal]

I agree entirely--the mat isn't needed. But think about it...you're putting glue which only becomes sticky when it melts due to heat....on top of...a heating element. Trust me, I work with hot glue on a regular basis, and it doesn't take a whole awful lot to make the stuff get gooey and meltey, and that would be REALLY bad if the heat spiked somehow, melted the glue and the snake got under the mat somehow into the melted glue.

Good luck!

Edit: I'm not sure if the heat from the element would be enough to melt it, but in the case of a malfunction that would be my worry. The stuff leaves blisters on me, and I'm warmblooded. I don't wanna think about how it could hurt the snake.

[Sammy J.]

OK, no tape and no mat!

That's why I ask these questions! You folks have been there and I appreciate your advice!