Heating My new Enclosures

[d0s]

I bought two 32 x18 X18 melanine enclosures and want to use undertank heating. I have a couple quesions.
Would it best to just use heating mats?
should i go with flexwatt?
if so what size tape and how much of it?
would i need 2 thermostats for both cages?

any suggestions would be awesome thanks in advanced

[mikoh4792]

Two thermostats for two cages.

Each heat source needs to be individually controlled. What happens if the heat mat on the thermostat probe fails? The other heat mat will continue to heat the enclosure and could result in overheating. If you're using heat tape it could get hot enough to melt or burn things.

[d0s]

can you suggest affordable thermostats being that i need to get two? i dont want something too cheap that it doesnt work and i also dont want something so expensive i wont be afford two also heat tape or heat matts?

[mikoh4792]

you can get one thermostat which controls two heat sources.

If you can dish out a little more money initialiity, you will be much happier in the long run. i'd recommend herpstat 2 or vivarium electronics VE-200.

If you are firm on getting cheap thermostats, I'd recommend hydrofarm, ranco, big apple...


You can use what you want as long as it's controlled. I use ultratherm heat pads(which are very thin like heat tape but don't get as hot even on full power) for my enclosures, and i use heat tape for my rack system.

[rickm]

I like the heat cable the best. you can tape different amounts on different parts of the bottom of the enclosure to get every inch perfect. I also have a thermostatically controlled snake room, so my room temps don't fluctuate more than two degrees ever. I also use a dimmer type device to control my cage temps. I like this method because I can control individual cages temps and get them all perfect. this is on larger display type cages. I also use the heat cable on my racks and use spyder robotics herpstat 4s. they are not cheap, but they are awesome. you can buy the dimmer type rheostats for about thirty bucks I believe...and thermostats are going to cost a little more, but I would recommend them over a rheostat unless your room temps do not fluctuate much. I make all of my own dimmers from stuff I buy at home depot or lowes. I have used them for probably fifteen or more years and never had a failure yet...but if you do this, make sure you get someone who knows how to do it, or an electrician to help you....and use the wire caps AND electrical tape over top of those....do it right, or you could burn down your house. good luck and do some research and you can find a lot of great methods and equipment to properly get the job done.