Heat tape without a thermostat?

[joleen]

I just finished building my new rack for my bp's and unfortunately the thermostat I've ordered hasn't gotten here yet. I ordered 2 feet of 12" heat tape which I cut into three 7.5" strips, will it be ok to set them up without a thermostat until it gets here (should be on Tuesday) since the strips are smaller?

[dillan2020]

No never run heat tape without a t stat.

[decensored]

Absolutely not, not sure of the exact temperature it can reach but I have 6" heat tape on my rack and my thermostat failed last month. Temps on the hot spot were between 145-155 degrees. You will cook your ball pythons, and risk burning down your house. Heat Tape MUST be regulated.

[I-KandyReptiles]

The size of strips doesn't matter when it comes to the amount of heat it will put out. It still will get over dangerous temperatures. You NEED a thermostat.

[snakesRkewl]

This is NOT a good option, but better than the sick option.
Heat tape runs at a given temp without a thermostat. Take two sticks and put them under each tub to raise the tubs several inches off of the heat tape.
Make sure to get their warm end around 90-92 and the rest should be ok until your thermostat comes in.
No heat is worse than the alternative.

In the future, never get a pet unless you are fully prepared ahead of time.
Fish don't come home unless your fish tank is set up and running.
Rodents don't come home unless you have a cage for them.
Snakes don't come home unless you have their set ups fully functioning before they are shipped.

[joleen]

ok thanks guys I just remembered watching a video about heat tape and it said it only goes up to about 110 watts so that didn't seem bad to me I didn't know it could get so hot!! thanks for the heads up

And no worries both my balls that are on the top shelves have heating. It's just that I have another one coming in (who is gonna go on the bottom) on Wednesday and I don't know if the thermostat is going to be here by then it was supposed to be here already so I can have it set up for him. I really don't want to get stuck without it.. Worst comes to worst I will have to get an extra heating mat but I'd rather not spend another 50$ for something I won't use again..

And if the tape gets so hot wouldn't the wood catch on fire though

[AlleleAllureReptiles]

ok thanks guys I just remembered watching a video about heat tape and it said it only goes up to about 110 watts so that didn't seem bad to me I didn't know it could get so hot!! thanks for the heads up

And no worries both my balls that are on the top shelves have heating. It's just that I have another one coming in (who is gonna go on the bottom) on Wednesday and I don't know if the thermostat is going to be here by then it was supposed to be here already so I can have it set up for him. I really don't want to get stuck without it.. Worst comes to worst I will have to get an extra heating mat but I'd rather not spend another 50$ for something I won't use again..

And if the tape gets so hot wouldn't the wood catch on fire though

Not sure if I misread this or not but I wouldn't run a heat mat without a thermostat either!

~CRR

[bcr229]

And if the tape gets so hot wouldn't the wood catch on fire though

Over time you might scorch it but it wouldn't burn immediately. I put wood hides in the oven at 200*F (just under the temp where water boils) for 30 minutes to sterilize them.

And don't run your heat tape without a t-stat.

[Rickys_Reptiles]

Can you cut the THG heat tape in the middle? Which heat tape are you using?

The Flexwatt, which is actually 11" not 12" cannot be cut into 7.5" panels. It has to be cut in certain areas, which are about 12" wide.

[snakesRkewl]

Can you cut the THG heat tape in the middle? Which heat tape are you using?

The Flexwatt, which is actually 11" not 12" cannot be cut into 7.5" panels. It has to be cut in certain areas, which are about 12" wide.

It can be cut anywhere in between the strips that run across it, it doesn't have to be 12 inches long.
I have cut flexwatt into shorter strips many times over the years and as long as the strips on each shelf are the same size they work just fine.