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Heat Tap Vs Heat pad

Rdoyle

Rdoyle

New member
I am setting up a 55 tank. I wanted to know the pro and cos with the heat tap and heat pad. What is better. What the Diff between them?
 
A heat pad is, in essence, heat tape surrounded by "pad" material.

Both need to be controlled by a thermostat or rheostat. If you are using a tank, the quick and easy way to heat is just buy a heat pad. You don't have to wire it if you aren't comfortable with electricity.

Don't be afraid to use a heat lamp, either. I know many on here believe that UTH is the ONLY way to go. I am using heat lamps on my tanks now. I have great eaters, nice sheds, and stable temps under my lights. I just mist the tank about 1 to 2 times a week so it is not too dry.

Hope this helps!
 
Heat lamps are not a good way to go... they will dry out your cage. It's also overkill for a nocturnal snake. Not to mention that they need the belly heat to aid in digestion. The ONLY time I would ever consider a heat light on my snakes is in the winter if it was really cold, but I just run an extra heater in my snake room.
The difference between the heat tape and heat mat is, essentially, that the pad is already wired.
 
AliCat37 said:
Heat lamps are not a good way to go... they will dry out your cage. It's also overkill for a nocturnal snake. Not to mention that they need the belly heat to aid in digestion. The ONLY time I would ever consider a heat light on my snakes is in the winter if it was really cold, but I just run an extra heater in my snake room.
The difference between the heat tape and heat mat is, essentially, that the pad is already wired.
Click to expand...

I like you, Cat, but I have never had a problem in 30 years of keeping snakes using heat lamps. My current Corn and King eat well, digest well, are active and healthy, and shed in one piece.

Believe me, I understand your position. I hear it all the time. But the truth is, snakes do quite well with heat lamps, and have for over 50 years or more.
 
I use heat lamps on all of my vivs as well.
No problems, but for energy purposes I would consider switching to a UTH. That's it though.

I haven't had any problems though.
 
A couple things. Heat lights & heat lamps are different. One emits heat & light, the other (heat lamp) emits heat only. Out of the two, I would say heat lamps are generally better. However, this leads me to my next (& main) point. Heat is heat. As long as the snakes body temp is warm enough to digest, it doesn't matter if it's under the tank, on the back, over head, or ambient.

Some people will say that it *has* to be belly heat,but I disagree. I know well known, successful breeders that also use ambient heat. I know some that use back heat (heat tape along the back of the racks). I myself use ambient heat.
 
OOK see ppl have always told me that it has to be belly heat. So I can get a heat Emitter. and have it on a peace of slat or rock. I know a rock that sells it cheap. and that will work as long it does not get over 85?
 
Other questions what is the diff between uth or a heat rock if they are all contral. I know back in the day the could burn them but if you had the hook up to a Thermometer or a dimmer would that work. I am just wounding about it is all
 
Rdoyle said:
Ok I was looking on Ebay what yall of this mat. It is used in green house. http://cgi.ebay.com/Heat-Sprout-See...t=LH_DefaultDomain_0&var=&hash=item7dbbc81597
Click to expand...

That will work fine, but make sure the tank isn't sitting directly ontop of the UTH or it can damage the wiring. Those should be designed to remain on for an extended period of time and as long as you have a digital thermometer with a probe to measure the temp under the substrate, then the dimmer included on those will do. Just make sure to monitor the temps a lot because dimmers aren't as reliable as thermostats and they can fail, letting your temps get way too high.

You could also get a reptile heating pad and dimmer from the hardware store for about the same price, and then you wouldn't have to pay for shipping. So it's mostly just up to you for what you think will work best for yourself and your snakes
 
That's Flexwatt. Its what people use in Racks. The problem with Heat Rocks, even if they are on a thermostat, is that they still have hot spots that might get hotter than where the probe is. All in all, they are just too unreliable.

Having said that, Flexwatt will vary a few degrees along the length of a 2 - 3 foot section.

Nothing is exact. And yes, having a stone under the heat lamp would be perfect. BUT, be sure there is a hide under the heat lamp as well.
 
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