The Hot Spot

[AdamF]

In a 41 qt tub, for a 1500G plus snake, with ambients around 80, can I use only 4" Flexwatt for the UTH hot spot, or must I go with 11"?

Note-the rack is close on 3 sides, and has 11" FW for back heat already in place

[mues155]

4" wont do anything, they need at least 1/4 of the floor of the cage as belly heat.
with a 4" your risking them not getting enough heat to digest leading to big problems.

Believe me an 11" is what you need

[interloc]

If you want you could do 2 strips of 4 inch flexwatt about 3 inches apart. I've seen that work well for people.


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[Don]

I've used 6" and it works well. With ambient temps at 80 degrees you probably could get away with 4".

I know ARS Cages (my racks) sells their standard 7030 racks with 4" flexwatt. However, I upgrade to 6" for all but the bottom shelf, which I upgrade to 12". I think Freedom Breeder racks most popular heating option is 5", which I think is 4" flexwatt inside of an inch larger encasing.

[hungba]

4" wont do anything, they need at least 1/4 of the floor of the cage as belly heat.
with a 4" your risking them not getting enough heat to digest leading to big problems.

Believe me an 11" is what you need

That's my logic too (see my other post). But people seem to be using 4" for bigger tubs without problems. I talked to a breeder here the other day and I brought up the 11" for bigger tub he actually advised against it. I was asking about 32 quart sized tubs thought, but still 4 inches doesn't cover 1/3 of that. I also see Ralph Davis videos where his freedom breeders and ARS racks with adult tubs only use 3 inches. It obviously works, but it doesn't make sense to me that people recommend 1/3 and at the same time use 4" for everything hatchling to adult tubs... I don't understand it.

[hungba]

I've used 6" and it works well. With ambient temps at 80 degrees you probably could get away with 4".

I know ARS Cages (my racks) sells their standard 7030 racks with 4" flexwatt. However, I upgrade to 6" for all but the bottom shelf, which I upgrade to 12". I think Freedom Breeder racks most popular heating option is 5", which I think is 4" flexwatt inside of an inch larger encasing.

The casing causes the heat to go over a wider area? Or is it just a measurement of the casing but the heat is still just over the flexwatt?

EDIT: I just looked over the ARS catalog and the heat panels are smallest 4", then 6" then 12" I don't see any 5"? Is it an old style? Seems like they use 12" for tubs longer than 39.9" in length only.

[Don]

I don't think the casing causes the heat to go to a wider area. I've also had Animal Plastic cages, Reptile Basics and Herp Enclosure cages that also come with 4" Flexwatt and my BPs never had issues in them.

If you are keeping your ambient temperatures at 80 degrees, then heating at least 1/3rd of a 41 qt tub with 11" Flexwatt, there may not be enough of a thermal gradient, IMHO. But, I will admit I'm no expert in Flexwatt. Just letting you know what has worked for me.

EDIT: the Freedom Breeder uses 5". I use 6" panels on my ARS racks.

[AdamF]

I've used 6" and it works well. With ambient temps at 80 degrees you probably could get away with 4".

I know ARS Cages (my racks) sells their standard 7030 racks with 4" flexwatt. However, I upgrade to 6" for all but the bottom shelf, which I upgrade to 12". I think Freedom Breeder racks most popular heating option is 5", which I think is 4" flexwatt inside of an inch larger encasing.

Every breeder video on you tube never shows 11". In fact most show 4", some 6"

[MrLang]

Animal Plastic cages, Reptile Basics and Herp Enclosure cages that also come with 4" Flexwatt and my BPs never had issues in them.

[kitedemon]

I have 4 inch and I just used a ir gun to see how large the hot spot was. At 1 inch increments from the back. It is a reasonably accurate gun better than many not 100%.

87º
88º
90º
91º
91º
90º
88º
87º
84º
81º
80º for the rest basically 79º at the very front.