PVC and Heat Tape

[Gobuchul]

While looking for pvc enclosures, I came across Apex Reptiles. I really like the modularity of their enclosures, and given the 6-8 week lead times I intend to order soon. I'm tempted to get a 3x2x2 (instead of straight for 4x2x2) since I could expand it later if necessary, but I think sticking to 2 foot increments will give me better stacking compatibility with other enclosures.

The Apex Reptiles website swears pvc insulates too well for UTH to be safe. From what I've gathered here UTH is necessary, and heat tape is typically used with pvc. Am I correct that the UTH is necessary, and that I should ignore the website's warnings?

I plan to maintain ambient heat with an 80W vivarium electronics radiant heat panel and a pulse-proportional thermostat. Should I put the heat tape on a pulse-proportional thermostat as well, or will the on/off thermostats I'm using in my current setup (for CHE and heat pad) suffice?

[Homebody]

I find these enclosures intriguing. What do you plan to put into it?

[Gobuchul]

Good question, I had forgotten to include that. The 3x2x2 or 4x2x2 will be for my young ball python. She's still doing fine in her current setup, but it'd be nice to move her to pvc in a couple of months for the winter humidity drop. This isn't time sensitive, but I'm also looking forward to not needing the CHE setup.

I also plan to get a morelia bredli soon, probably before winter shuts down reptile shipping. I'd probably put it in a 2x2x2 immediately after quarantine, then expand that to 4x2x2 and beyond as it grows.

[Mike41793]

The Apex Reptiles website swears pvc insulates too well for UTH to be safe. From what I've gathered here UTH is necessary, and heat tape is typically used with pvc. Am I correct that the UTH is necessary, and that I should ignore the website's warnings?

There are tons of PVC cages and racks out there being used just fine with UTH heaters whether it's a pad or heat tape. Maybe you misread something or they mistyped something? No big deal. Either way, if you're getting a RHP then that's plenty good. No need to have both.

[Gobuchul]

There are tons of PVC cages and racks out there being used just fine with UTH heaters whether it's a pad or heat tape. Maybe you misread something or they mistyped something? No big deal. Either way, if you're getting a RHP then that's plenty good. No need to have both.

It says it unambiguously and in a few different places on the site, so I am certain that it was not a typo or misread. I've seen someone here say the RHP alone doesn't get enough heat into the warm side hide, but others that agree with you that the RHP is enough. I'd like to just use the RHP because not dealing with UTH would be nice, but if others reading this disagree please lmk.

[jmcrook]

In a 2' tall enclosure, no, the RHP will not get a hide on the floor up to an 88 degree basking/warm spot temp. There will need to be an elevated hide area beneath the RHP accessible to the animal to achieve that temp for the warm hide.

[Homebody]

While looking for pvc enclosures, I came across Apex Reptiles. I really like the modularity of their enclosures, and given the 6-8 week lead times I intend to order soon. I'm tempted to get a 3x2x2 (instead of straight for 4x2x2) since I could expand it later if necessary, but I think sticking to 2 foot increments will give me better stacking compatibility with other enclosures.

The Apex Reptiles website swears pvc insulates too well for UTH to be safe. From what I've gathered here UTH is necessary, and heat tape is typically used with pvc. Am I correct that the UTH is necessary, and that I should ignore the website's warnings?

I plan to maintain ambient heat with an 80W vivarium electronics radiant heat panel and a pulse-proportional thermostat. Should I put the heat tape on a pulse-proportional thermostat as well, or will the on/off thermostats I'm using in my current setup (for CHE and heat pad) suffice?

I really like the modular design of these enclosures, as well. Very versatile. Snakes change over time. Collections change over time. I imagine it will be a big help to be able to modify an existing enclosure rather than having to purchase a new one.

As for your heat question, I have an 80w VE RHP in a 3x2x2 enclosure and I can reach temps of 95+, but the basking spot is only about a foot from the heat panel. So, if you have trouble reaching basking temps, it's easy enough to elevate the basking spot closer to the RHP. Just use a box or shelf.

[Homebody]

Should I put the heat tape on a pulse-proportional thermostat as well, or will the on/off thermostats I'm using in my current setup (for CHE and heat pad) suffice?

I've been regulating my heat tape with an on/off thermostat for three years. No problems, though I'm using the tape to heat a tub and not a pvc enclosure.

[Gobuchul]

Finally set up these enclosures. I'll be giving Nim more pvc pipes to climb, and am trying to come up with stuff to make the BP's enclosure interesting as well. Menards PVC planks worked well for building shelves that match the rest of the enclosure.

Sticking to the scrap paper foliage for now because I don't want to complicate cleaning. The hides are very hard to see behind the reflection on the acrylic in this photo, but each snake has a few. I'll also add a couple of another size up to each enclosure.

The BP is heated by an 80 watt vivarium electronics RHP, and Nim by a 100 watt pro products RHP. 1/2 screen top to keep Nim's humidity down. I'm not certain that was the right call, but worst case I can cover it. Heater is having no trouble with it so far. One quirk of the pro products panel is that the plug doesn't fit alongside other plugs in this 2-output thermostat. Working around this with a power strip for now, will eventually change to a very short extension cord.




Nim has a uvb led strip with a built in timer, BP gets cheap under-cabinet lights plugged in to a mechanical outlet timer.



Nim found a hide, but the BP is climbing the window. She's hungry, a few days past previous feeding schedule time now. I'm glad she finally gets to move vertically.