Rack Question

[pigfat]

I just got two more additions to my collection!



I'm going to make a rack out of a shelf I got at walmart and here is my question:

I have 3 zoomed heat pads and as long as have them on t-stats, could I just put the heat mat on the rack itself with tape around the edges instead of using flexwatt?

[Evenstar]

I personally would not use the ZooMed heat mats that way even on a t-stat. I am speaking from experience! The ZooMed's tend to build up heat when they are covered. That is why those little rubber feet are included with the mat - they are designed to be stuck to the bottom of the cage and raised off the table surface.

I tried to use a ZooMed in the manner you're talking about and darn near burned my house down. I put it on a t-stat set at 95 but even so, the heat built up under the mat and it FRIED with a big ole charred spot in the middle. Thank GOD there wasn't a snake in that set up yet!

I would recommend the Ultratherm heat mats from Reptile Basics if you want to use a UTH. These are designed to release heat and won't build up like the ZooMeds will. You can cover them with tape and sandwich them between the cage and shelves just fine.

Those are two nice pickups! Congrats!