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Is It Ok If...

Virago

Virago

New member
The heat mat I have I bought from walmart its just a therapeutic heat mat and it heats up to about 84degrees can I put this "IN" the tank without anything on top or just some substrate? It has a thick insulating cover on it.
 
Hi
I am not sure how others will answer this and I am by no means an expert but I would put it under the tank. My fear would be that the temp would somehow spike and the snake would have direct contact with it. Hope that helps :shrugs:
:cheers:
 
a breeder...

who i bought a creamsicle corn from told me that if i didn't have all the proper supplies for my snake immediately available to me upon leaving him at home that their were several temporary options for both heating, lighting and enclosure and one that she recommended was a heating pad specifically created for human use. i didn't end up needing it, but i would have if the need arose. i wouldn't recommend it for long term use.
 
Ok

BECAUSE THE VIV IS ALL MELAMINE SO i JUST WANTED TO KNOW IF i SHOULD BUY A PIECE OF GLASS TO PUT ON TOP OF IT OR IF IT WOULD BE FINE BY IT SELF.
 
No Its Not...

Its a therapeutic heat mat for muscles. Its thermometer reading is 84 degrees. So this wouldn't be ok?
 
Well my vote is for flexwatt.. It is make for that application and will not burn your house down...
 
don't know then unles you do use the flexiwatt like justcage said but remember to use a thermostat as it can run hot.
 
or if you prefer i can get one and mail it to you if you want? you'll just have to re-wire it though as it comes in a 3pin UK plug socket format. If interested pm or email me.
 
virago said:
The heat mat I have I bought from walmart its just a therapeutic heat mat and it heats up to about 84degrees can I put this "IN" the tank without anything on top or just some substrate? It has a thick insulating cover on it.
Click to expand...

The answer to your question is yes, you can use the heating pad inside the viv, but take precautions in case the temp spikes. Read below for precautions and other ideas.

The Theriputic Heating pad can be used inside the viv. Place a piece of slate or other thin flat rock over it so that your snake can't have direct contact with it. The problem you might run into is that the heating pads are only made to be used infrequently. If you have one that you are planning to run 24/7/365, you might burn it out and have to replace it often. I would suggest a couple of things...order a UTH from the site that Cornman posted. I have read the manual and it looks good, just do the same thing with the slate. Or, you could cut a portion of the floor out of your viv and insert a piece of Plexiglass in there, and then attach a UTH to that like you would a glass tank. The Plexi glass has a very high melting point and the UTH shoul dnever reach it. As the UTH and Plexi heat up, the wood will absorb the heat and spread it through out the viv.
 
I have a uth that we stuck on to a square of ceramic tile and then slid it under the tank. That way if I want to stop using it , isn't stuck to the viv itself.
 
dana100mph1 said:
I have a uth that we stuck on to a square of ceramic tile and then slid it under the tank. That way if I want to stop using it , isn't stuck to the viv itself.
Click to expand...


That would be great. Are you using a wooden or glass enclouser? The problem with heating wood from the outside is that the wood absorbs it and it doesn't make it into the viv. Thus, Virago has to put the UTH inside the viv or create a "glass window" in the floor of the viv to attach the UTH to.
 
All of my vivs are wood (melamine) and UTHs work both outside and inside. The outside ones heat through the wood just fine. You do need to create an air gap by raising the viv off the UTH slightly, to allow air circulation and prevent overheating. UTHs inside the viv have thermostats to prevent overheating/burns and a cover to prevent direct contact from animals/faeces (no burns or electrical shorts).
 
thanks everyone,

I think I'll go with PCAR and put it in the tank with something on top. The Pet store I deal with is a little private one and she only uses human heat pads nevar had a problem. As for them burning out well... Its from Walmart and you can return anything there for ever with or without receipt so when she does burn out I can go and exchange it free of charge. Thanks again everyone!!
 
Something that I noticed wasn't mentioned is, if you decide to put it inside your tank, make sure that the hole for the cord is WELL sealed around the cord (aquarium sealant works great...buy it from the local hardware store, it's much cheaper than at the pet shop) or your snake WILL find a way to escape (if it's small enough).

FYI: I have a bunch of glass tanks...with the UTH's stuck on directly. I have always (CAREFULLY) peeled them off and moved them if necessary...and never had one not work or go out on me.
 
The advice so far has been good one thing i wann add is that since the top temp is 84 F attaching in outside of the tank may not be practical unless u cut out some of the melamine as suggested above. U may want to consider the flexwatt heat tape its not very expensive. Flexwatt along with the thermostat for controlling the temp can be found at beanfarm.com for about $40 total, $30 of which is for the thermostat
 
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