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Flexwatt tape questions

M

mullinsn2000

Superman
I am going to be getting a breeding pair of corns. I already have 4 corns and they are all in glass aquariums with UTH. They two breeders are going to go in 28qt sterilite containers. Here are my questions:

(1) I will sooner or later build a "rack", but for right now I was wondering if I can place the heat tape directly on the plastic container (using a thermostat of course to control temp) or does it need to be placed on another surface and then have the plastic container sit on top of it?

(2) Without the crimping tool how easy is it to wire the tape?

(3) What is the best online place to buy the flexwatt from?

Thank you for any help you may give me.
 
1. With a thermostat its fine to be right under the containers, but you will need to cover it somehow to keep the containers from scratching it and ruining it. Consider back heat too, it takes considerably less heat tape and you dont have to worry about it being scratched up.

2. I solder mine, takes only a few minutes; here's a great site showing both ways -http://www.arbreptiles.com/cages/flexwire.shtml

3. The cheapest I've found is from www.beanfarm.com.
 
I would also recommend for you to purchase the heat tape as well as the metal connectors from www.beanfarm.com. Although I live in Canada, the total cost of the heat tape & connectors (including shipping, converting the American dollar to the Canadian dollar, etc.) was about $55 CHEAPER than just buying it here in Calgary.

:-offtopic DaemoNox, what would you suggest to cover the heat tape with so that the containers don't damage the tape?

Lisa
 
DaemoNox said:
Consider back heat too, it takes considerably less heat tape and you dont have to worry about it being scratched up.
Click to expand...

I have found back heat to be much less effecient. The tape itself runs hotter to maintain temps compared to belly tape. I don't know if this really has an effect, but personally I'd rather have it running at less power if given a choice.
 
Sure, if it is on a thermostat, the tubs can sit right on the Flexwatt.

Actually, on Reptilebasics.com, you can just get it pre-wired for the same price as it would be raw. Just leave instructions on how you want it wired in the comments box at the checkout.

I already mentioned ReptileBasics.com. Rich has great prices and fast shipping! You won't be disappointed.

(p.s. I'm posting this from my Nintendo Wii!)
 
question clarification

I worded my question incorrectly I believe. I meant to ask if I can use the foil tape and tape the flexwatt directly on the plastic, becuase it will be summer before I will be able to build the rack. Thanks!
Nick
 
mullinsn2000 said:
I worded my question incorrectly I believe. I meant to ask if I can use the foil tape and tape the flexwatt directly on the plastic, becuase it will be summer before I will be able to build the rack. Thanks!
Nick
Click to expand...

Hmmmm, I can't comment 100% sure; but I don't see a reason that you couldn't. AS others have said, make sure you use a thermostat and it shouldn't be a problem. I've used flexwatt inside cages w/o a problem, so no reason it shouldn't be able to be attatched directly to the outside.
 
You could tape it to the surface the tubs are sitting on, if that's what you are asking. That way, you don't have to take the heat tape with you to clean.
 
problem with that

Here is my problem with that. It will not be sitting on its permanent surface just yet. It will be sitting on my desk or a table until this summer when I have to build a rack. I did not want to place the tape on the table or desk and ruin its finish. I know that the tape will not be reusable once I place it on the plastic I can not remove it and place it somewhere else. I will just purchase more when the time comes. My main concern is whether or not the heat tape will damage the plastic and put the snakes at risk. Once again I will be using a thermostat withit. Thanks
 
I have no experience with heat tape, but here's what I would think:

If you're using a thermostat, the plastic is never going to get hotter than 85 (or whatever you have it set for). This is definitely not hot enough to melt the plastic, so you should be okay.
 
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