Plastic tubs and heat

[heatherhead42]

My first big question!

Until yesterday we weren't certain what size snake (i.e., hatchling, adult, or something in between) we were going to start with, so we didn't have all our materials together yet. So for heat, having read that it was an acceptable short-term solution, we were using a heating pad under the warm side of the cage. Now we want to replace it with a more permanent solution.

But the Repti-Therm UTH available at Pet Smart says it is for use with *glass* tanks ONLY. It specifically says NOT to use it with plastic.

So, what to use? We're also thinking we'll add a ceramic heating unit, as the ambient room temp is around 75 degrees in winter and we are having trouble keeping the tank warm enough.

But we still need belly heat... so can ya'll explain what you use to provide belly heat in a plastic tub? Thanks so much!! And, by the way, a quick answer would be MUCH appreciated--PetSmart closes in an hour and a half and we really want to have him warm warm warm tonight!

Thank you so much,

Heather

[Stewart_Reptiles]

My first big question!
Until yesterday we weren't certain what size snake (i.e., hatchling, adult, or something in between) we were going to start with, so we didn't have all our materials together yet. So for heat, having read that it was an acceptable short-term solution, we were using a heating pad under the warm side of the cage. Now we want to replace it with a more permanent solution.
But the Repti-Therm UTH available at Pet Smart says it is for use with *glass* tanks ONLY. It specifically says NOT to use it with plastic.
So, what to use? We're also thinking we'll add a ceramic heating unit, as the ambient room temp is around 75 degrees in winter and we are having trouble keeping the tank warm enough.
But we still need belly heat... so can ya'll explain what you use to provide belly heat in a plastic tub? Thanks so much!! And, by the way, a quick answer would be MUCH appreciated--PetSmart closes in an hour and a half and we really want to have him warm warm warm tonight!
Thank you so much,
Heather

With any heating device regardless of the enclosure you need a thermostat to prevent the UTH from over-heating.

UTH you can use are Ultratherm or T-Rex Cobra Heat Mat the advantage they do not stick permanently to the enclosure like some others. (More convenient for cleaning)

Most people however use Flexwatt Heat tape that you wire yourself or can order pre-wired.

Now for the cool side it will depend on your ambient temp which can be tricky if it a low temps. Many people use a space heater in the room where they reptiles are kept. The other option is to have an additional heat source with a second thermostat set to achieve a temp of 80-84 on the cool side.

[heatherhead42]

Thank you!

I misunderstood--I thought heat tape and UTH were the same thing. I need to read up more on the distinction.

So we need to order some heat tape with a thermostat (right? Or do I not need a thermostat with heat tape?).

In the meantime, what we've done is purchase a CHE and are carefully monitoring temps (we'll probably set an alarm and get up a couple times during the night, too) to see if we can get the ambient temp right at least. We've also left the heating pad (the sort used for people, which is a temporary band-aid solution) under the tank (on the warm side) for now--is this a bad idea, without a thermostat?

We knew we weren't completely set up yet, but we thought we were close enough to start. Now I see it would have been better to wait and test the set-up for a while before bringing Sammy home. We are learning, though, and I seriously appreciate the advice and help.

Thank you.

Heather

[Stewart_Reptiles]

Thank you!
I misunderstood--I thought heat tape and UTH were the same thing. I need to read up more on the distinction.
So we need to order some heat tape with a thermostat (right? Or do I not need a thermostat with heat tape?).
In the meantime, what we've done is purchase a CHE and are carefully monitoring temps (we'll probably set an alarm and get up a couple times during the night, too) to see if we can get the ambient temp right at least. We've also left the heating pad (the sort used for people, which is a temporary band-aid solution) under the tank (on the warm side) for now--is this a bad idea, without a thermostat?
We knew we weren't completely set up yet, but we thought we were close enough to start. Now I see it would have been better to wait and test the set-up for a while before bringing Sammy home. We are learning, though, and I seriously appreciate the advice and help.
Thank you.
Heather

You will need a thermostat regardless of the heating device you will chose, this is the only way to maintain proper temp and avoid over-heating that could burn your BP

Here is a place where you can order thermostat and Flexwatt http://www.reptilebasics.com/store/home.php?cat=250
They will pre-wire the flexwatt if you want to or you can order it and wire it yourself.
Human heat pad are not designed to run 24/7 or designed for the use with reptiles I would be concerned that the temp could get pretty high.

[Shaun J]

My first big question!

Until yesterday we weren't certain what size snake (i.e., hatchling, adult, or something in between) we were going to start with, so we didn't have all our materials together yet. So for heat, having read that it was an acceptable short-term solution, we were using a heating pad under the warm side of the cage. Now we want to replace it with a more permanent solution.

But the Repti-Therm UTH available at Pet Smart says it is for use with *glass* tanks ONLY. It specifically says NOT to use it with plastic.

So, what to use? We're also thinking we'll add a ceramic heating unit, as the ambient room temp is around 75 degrees in winter and we are having trouble keeping the tank warm enough.

But we still need belly heat... so can ya'll explain what you use to provide belly heat in a plastic tub? Thanks so much!! And, by the way, a quick answer would be MUCH appreciated--PetSmart closes in an hour and a half and we really want to have him warm warm warm tonight!

Thank you so much,

Heather

I would use flexwatt with a thermostat. The thermostat is a bit pricey, but is well worth the price and is neccessary if you want a snake. The flexwatt is heat tape, which is like a heating pad, but cheaper and thinner. It's usually used for racks, but you can use it for a single enclosure too.

[heatherhead42]

Okey dokey. I'm on Reptile Basics now figuring out my order. I am totally in favor of doing what needs to be done to keep dh's little guy healthy and happy. But this raises a question in my mind--why are people so concerned about the cost of the *snake* when the set-up is going to cost them several times the average cost of the snake itself?

Okay. So, I need: a thermostat. I'm looking at the Helix DBS 1000 Proportional at $129.99. Is that what I need by way of thermostat? Can it be used for more than one heating device set to the same temp? If we have only one snake and otherwise good conditions, does Sammy really need the expensive model or would we be okay with the $75 Jackson model? How much of a difference does it make in the snake's quality of life?

Heat tape. For a 3 foot long, 1 1/2 foot wide, 2 foot tall Rubbermaid type enclosure, will I need more than a foot of the 3" tape? Should I order two feet to be on the safe side? Or do I need more than that?

And a wire/clip/insulator set. Just one? Will I need to lay the heat tape in several parallel strips, and will this require an extra set or two?

Is that it?

I'm sorry for these total newbie questions. I thought we had done our research really well and we were all set to go. Ugh. I hate being unprepared. But I really appreciate the hand-holding.

Heather

[Shaun J]

Okey dokey. I'm on Reptile Basics now figuring out my order. I am totally in favor of doing what needs to be done to keep dh's little guy healthy and happy. But this raises a question in my mind--why are people so concerned about the cost of the *snake* when the set-up is going to cost them several times the average cost of the snake itself?

Okay. So, I need: a thermostat. I'm looking at the Helix DBS 1000 Proportional at $129.99. Is that what I need by way of thermostat? Can it be used for more than one heating device set to the same temp? If we have only one snake and otherwise good conditions, does Sammy really need the expensive model or would we be okay with the $75 Jackson model? How much of a difference does it make in the snake's quality of life?

Heat tape. For a 3 foot long, 1 1/2 foot wide, 2 foot tall Rubbermaid type enclosure, will I need more than a foot of the 3" tape? Should I order two feet to be on the safe side? Or do I need more than that?

And a wire/clip/insulator set. Just one? Will I need to lay the heat tape in several parallel strips, and will this require an extra set or two?

Is that it?

I'm sorry for these total newbie questions. I thought we had done our research really well and we were all set to go. Ugh. I hate being unprepared. But I really appreciate the hand-holding.

Heather

You only need one wire/clip/insulator set, because you only need one foot of 11" heat tape. If you want Rich to wire it for you, he will do it at no charge! I use a Ranco, which is only 75 dollars. Not expensive, yet it works to perfection.

[Stewart_Reptiles]

Well when it comes to normal BP yes the overall cost of the enclosure will be more then the BP, now if you have some morphs trust me the enclosure cost is nothing.

The Johnson or the Ranco will do, just keep in mind that they are not proportional and come on and off which make the temp fluctuates a little, and the more expensive ones that are proportional keep the temps constant.

Many people use Ranco and Johnson and it will be fine for your BP and if you add more BP you will be able to control the Heat Tape of other enclosure with the same thermostat.

For the heat tape I wood order 1 foot of 11 inches heat tape oh and your Tub not sure if you already bought it does not need to be that high an adult can feet in a tub no higher then 6 inches matter of fact the rest would a waste that could make it harder to control.

You can keep a BP in a tub with the following measurements

Baby – 15 Quarts (17"L x 11 1/8"W x 6 3/8"H)\
Sub Adult – 32 Quarts (23 1/2"L x 16 1/4"W x 6 3/8"H)
Adult – 41 Quarts (34 3/4"L x 16 1/2"W x 6"H)

Keep in mind that an enclosure that is too big will stress your BP

With one enclosure you will need one piece of heat tape and 2 clips and one cord you can ask to have it wire I believe at no extra charge.

[heatherhead42]

Yeah, I know the morphs can be thousands of dollars. I just meant people who think $100 is an unreasonable price for a snake, or who ask if anyone knows if they can get a snake for $35 or something. It's just kind of funny. Well, and sad, when it's folks looking for "free" snakes. As though a pet is ever free.

Okay, so 1 foot of 11" heat tape, one set of clips etc., and one thermostat. I think we're going with the proportional after all--dh figures we won't be sorry, and it's not that much extra if considered over the life of the snake. And if we get more snakes at some point, we'll already be set up on the thermostat (it can also be used to regulate more than one set of heat tape, right?).

Thanks for the help. I know the enclosure doesn't need to be that high, but yes it is what we have already, and for a variety of other reasons, we prefer the height, so we're going to try to make it work. If we continue to have problems, we'll consider a different enclosure.

Thanks again, and I'll keep you posted. And probably ask more questions!

Oh, by the way, I noticed that the care sheet on this site for ball pythons suggests a few things that have been described as unsuitable in this thread. For instance, it suggests that heat pads designed for humans have been used "with great success" by a "large number" of keepers. It also suggests using a thermostat, but puts it much more mildly, suggesting that you need a thermostat "IF you find it difficult to maintain temperatures adequately" (emphasis mine).

I'm not pointing this out to be difficult, and I understand there can be a wide range of opinion on any topic. But I thought I'd mention it because it does seem, in light of the suggestions in this thread, somewhat... confusing.

Anyway, thank you again very, very much for the help. Thank you.

Heather

[Shaun J]

Yeah, I know the morphs can be thousands of dollars. I just meant people who think $100 is an unreasonable price for a snake, or who ask if anyone knows if they can get a snake for $35 or something. It's just kind of funny. Well, and sad, when it's folks looking for "free" snakes. As though a pet is ever free.

Okay, so 1 foot of 11" heat tape, one set of clips etc., and one thermostat. I think we're going with the proportional after all--dh figures we won't be sorry, and it's not that much extra if considered over the life of the snake. And if we get more snakes at some point, we'll already be set up on the thermostat (it can also be used to regulate more than one set of heat tape, right?).

Thanks for the help. I know the enclosure doesn't need to be that high, but yes it is what we have already, and for a variety of other reasons, we prefer the height, so we're going to try to make it work. If we continue to have problems, we'll consider a different enclosure.

Thanks again, and I'll keep you posted. And probably ask more questions!

Oh, by the way, I noticed that the care sheet on this site for ball pythons suggests a few things that have been described as unsuitable in this thread. For instance, it suggests that heat pads designed for humans have been used "with great success" by a "large number" of keepers. It also suggests using a thermostat, but puts it much more mildly, suggesting that you need a thermostat "IF you find it difficult to maintain temperatures adequately" (emphasis mine).

I'm not pointing this out to be difficult, and I understand there can be a wide range of opinion on any topic. But I thought I'd mention it because it does seem, in light of the suggestions in this thread, somewhat... confusing.

Anyway, thank you again very, very much for the help. Thank you.

Heather

The care sheet is a good guide, but it was made a little while ago and things that were considered "ok" then, might not be the best thing now. Those heat pads are not made to run for 24/7 and you could risk the life of your snake.