Reflectix, UTH, and tub?

[twometal]

So I'm setting up a tub for my new boa. To heat it, this is my plan:
Tub
Foil
UTH
Reflectix

Now my question is, is it safe to do this? I don't want to attach the uth directly to the tub, since it says don't attach to plastic. I also want to tape the uth to the foil, so that it won't be attached directly to it (I'm leaving the covering on the adhesive side). Will this damage the uth? I got the foil idea from someone else's tank setup on here. The reflectix serves 2 purposes, to redirect heat, so I don't have to turn the uths as high, and to insulate the heat pads from the floor, since the tub will have to be resting on carpeting. Do I need air space around the uths? The directions say don't form heat pockets. Here is a mock up picture:


And the reflectix with my homemade rheostats:


Thanks!
-Eric aka "twometal"

[dracovolans]

I sugest that you should consider the fact that once a moth you have to clean the whole setup, and all will get wet at some point.

I will not recomend to stick anything to the tub.

My .02

[twometal]

Good point. Here is the revised setup:



Still goes: tub -> foil -> uth -> reflectix

But now the uth is taped to a foil pad, then the foil pad taped to the reflectix then the reflectix taped to the tub with painters tape. I don't see why this shouldn't be safe, but I've never done this, so if anyone else can let me know otherwise, that would be awesome. Thanks.

[Peter Williams]

so whys this in the bp section? you said its for a boa?

[twometal]

Cause I don't like the boa sites as much as this one... and I figure this isn't a boa question, it's a heating question.

[FloridaHogs]

Whay are you heating the entire tub?

[twometal]

So that I can control the temps of both sides? I don't know if the one pad will keep the cool side at 80, since my room temps are usually only upper 60s. If I don't need it, then I don't need it. I'd rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it.

So can anyone tell me if this will start a fire in my bedroom or if it will just keep my snake nice and happy?

[dracovolans]

It's important that you connect your heat pads to a Thermostat to control the Temp. And the second thing is that I'll not suggest to put any heating device over the carpet. If for any reason the UTH fails .............. I suggest to set it on a table, if you don't have the space for it you can also use a shelve in your wall on top of your bed or any where else.

[twometal]

I have the uths connected to the rheostats shown in the 2nd pic in the 1st post. I setup the tub up as shown last night, and monitored it until I felt it was safe. I woke up this morning to hot side temps of 92, and cool side of 88. I turned the cool side down a bit, it's down to 86 and falling. So I think this setup works well.

As to the uths malfunctioning, does anyone actually know how hot they can get if they do malfunction?

[twometal]

Oh ya, here are some pics:

Homemade rheostat:


Final tub setup: