Heat rocks

[Mr. Misha]

Realistically, a rheostat is a dimmer and I wouldn't trust a dimmer in any of my terrariums.

Also, there's really no need for the heat rocks since heat tape is an easier and much cheaper choice.


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[Lady mkrj58]

Realistically, a rheostat is a dimmer and I wouldn't trust a dimmer in any of my terrariums.

Also, there's really no need for the heat rocks since heat tape is an easier and much cheaper choice.


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I agree

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[PitOnTheProwl]

Realistically, a rheostat is a dimmer and I wouldn't trust a dimmer in any of my terrariums.

Also, there's really no need for the heat rocks since heat tape is an easier and much cheaper choice.

True though not readily available to everyone unless you know about it before you get into reptiles AND keep extra on hand.
Many people only have availability to what their local box stores have and don't know about the companies we order from.

Zilla, Flunkers, and Zoo Med always catch a bad wrap but they were good enough till people get online and others show them easier and better ways. Right?
None of us can deny those companies helped all of us in one way or another get into this hobby.

[Ax01]

ok i just watched the vid and Pit's post below sums up the vid, setup and the audience it was intended for nicely. beyond that, i thought it was a neat vid. his presentation, info and tone of voice was spot on. there's many things to nitpick about the enclosure in the vid and other BP stuff (live vs. f/t anyone?).

Realistically, a rheostat is a dimmer and I wouldn't trust a dimmer in any of my terrariums.

Also, there's really no need for the heat rocks since heat tape is an easier and much cheaper choice.

True though not readily available to everyone unless you know about it before you get into reptiles AND keep extra on hand.
Many people only have availability to what their local box stores have and don't know about the companies we order from.

Zilla, Flunkers, and Zoo Med always catch a bad wrap but they were good enough till people get online and others show them easier and better ways. Right?
None of us can deny those companies helped all of us in one way or another get into this hobby.

that's the truth.

not everyone is into BP's as a hobby. many just have one, maybe two, as a pet and will rely on pet stores and their employees for all gear, food and info. that's where i started, as countless others had. since then i've progressed to a collection to wiring my own flexwatt to planning breeding, etc. etc. i would not have known a lot of this if i had not joined the forum. pet stores still don't sell thermostats but they do sell various heat sources (with attached rheostats or rheostats separately).

[Lizardlicks]

I have seen (I think is was ZooMed or Zilla I don't remember) thermostats at most of my local and chain pet stores, so that's something at least. It would be nice to see better products on the shelves. For the most part it seems like reptiles are still considered "throw away" pets, cheap and easy to replace, so most companies want to sell you on expensive, often poorly built, in some cases unnecessary, or down right useless/dangerous equipment. I think if we want to see that reversed, it will take a lot more work to reverse the public image of reptiles.

[ballpythonsrock2]

I have seen (I think is was ZooMed or Zilla I don't remember) thermostats at most of my local and chain pet stores, so that's something at least. It would be nice to see better products on the shelves. For the most part it seems like reptiles are still considered "throw away" pets, cheap and easy to replace, so most companies want to sell you on expensive, often poorly built, in some cases unnecessary, or down right useless/dangerous equipment. I think if we want to see that reversed, it will take a lot more work to reverse the public image of reptiles.

I also have seen that particular thermostat sold at Petco, not sure if Petsmart sells one or not. I read also in the product manual (pdf) that the rocks are designed for use in glass terrarium's only. All other enclosures including plastic, woood, cage's void the warranty. Totally agree with Lizardlicks here. I have seen people change their minds about snakes ( which is the reptile most disliked ) but it is very rare. Most people have their minds made up and don't change it no matter how much you try to reason with them. My wife is one of them.

[MarkS]

How he's setting up that tank is no different then the way most pet store will tell you. I personally would never set up my ball pythons that way, there are better and easier ways to do it, but that way will work. Remember there are many ways to success as long as you are observant and watch how your snake reacts.

As far as the heat rock. I personally can't stand those things, not because of the amount of heat they put out when unregulated but because you're putting an electrical cord inside the tank with the snake. Face it, ANY unregulated heat source can burn your snake whether it's a hot rock or a heat mat, or a heat cable, or a heating pad, or a heating strip, or a ceramic heat emitter, or a light bulb. Heating sources should ALWAYS be regulated in some fashion. I've used dimmer switches (rheostats) for over 30 years without any troubles, you just have to follow a few basic common sense rules. Yes thermostats are better, but mainly because they're more idiot proof. I like them because I don't have to think about them as much, but I STILL have racks controlled with dimmer switches.