Heat Cable Question

[PixieMaple]

I bought some Exo Terra 15W heat cable to put in my new 41q tub for my ball. I couldn't find a thermostat today (in the process of moving), but have placed the cable and snake in the tub. I`m worried it`ll get too hot and burn him... should I risk it, or let him go a night without heat?

[AkHerps]

Either go without, or run to your hardware store and get a lamp dimmer.

This heating stuff, heat pads, etc..can get hot! I wanted to see how hot my little heat pad got without a dimmer/thermostat and it got over 120F

[MarkS]

You've got the heat cable IN the tub with the snake? Is that what the directions recommend? I've never heard of putting heat cable inside the tubs, they're meant to go underneath to keep the floor of the tub warm and supply belly heat.

[seeya205]

The heat cable does say it can go in the enclosure but I would keep it out. Go to Canadian Tire and buy a lamp dimmer($10) to control the cable. Get a thermostat at the Breeders Expo! That way you don't need to keep checking temps all the time!

[PixieMaple]

yeah, I'm not going to risk it... so he'll be around room temp tonight.
there's a Canadian Tire right by me, I'll go there tomorrow

[saber2th]

If anything, I would put it under the tub and after some time, take the temp. of the tub(under the substrate if you are using any). You don't want the inside bottom of the tub any higher than 93. And do this just at one end of the tub, so the snake can move to the cooler end if it wants to.