Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I was just wondering what you all use for heating under cage. Like heat pads, the adhesive taps, etc... I've always used heat lamps but I am realy thinking about going to undercage heating to save space. Or the thermal shrouds. But I haven't been able to find out much about those from anyone yet. Any info is appreciated. Thank you.

Widj

>>I was just wondering what you all use for heating under cage. Like heat pads, the adhesive taps, etc... I've always used heat lamps but I am realy thinking about going to undercage heating to save space. Or the thermal shrouds. But I haven't been able to find out much about those from anyone yet. Any info is appreciated. Thank you.
>>
>>Widj

Personally I prefer flexwatt heat tape on a rheostat. If I had the money I would invest in a nice thermostat. But the tape is what I like. The watts used is way less than the lamps and the chance of burning someone or thing is a lot less too and the tape doesn't totally dry out an enclosure all the time. The only things that get lamps are those that need HOT hot spots....120-140 for my beardies, monitors.
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Sonya

I'm not mean. You're just a sissy.
Happy Bunny

I use both undertank heaters and heat lamps. For my nocturnal, light-shy snakes (like my boas), I prefer the undertank heaters. For my kingsnakes, however, who like to bask during the day, I use heat lamps.
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- Natalie
(San Francisco Bay Area)

1.0.0 Banded California King
1.0.0 Mexican Black King
1.0.0 Bay of LA Rosy Boa
0.0.1 Kenyan Sand Boa
1.2.0 Rubber Boas

I really prefer not to confine heat beneath an enclosure, but I know a lot of people who use flexiwatt to no ill effect. Keep in mind, wattage is critical and some flexiwatt can get quite hot, up to 130*F, so a good thermostat is highly recommended with the use of such.
I prefer to use radiant heat panels manufactured by Pro Heat Products, mounted to the enclosure ceiling and connected to Helix DBS-1000 proportional thermostats, as the heat panels are not hot to the touch, but provide an excellent temperature gradient within the enclosure. I also use a mercury vapor bulb, which is connected to a timer allowing for two - four hours of basking, during peak daylight hours.
Should you decide to go with flexiwatt, yuo may wish to visit teh following URL, as Matt has a great deal of experience regarding the use of such: www.mgreptiles.com/

Good luck,

Jeff

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Jeff Snodgres
University of Arkansas
snodgresjeffreys@uams.edu
501.603.1947

The radient heat panels look pretty nice to me. Don't they take up quite a bit of room in the cages tho?

Widj

Radiant heat panels are mounted flush to the ceiling of the enclosure and come in a variety of sizes, depending on wattage and specific encloure requirements...

Best regards,

Jeff
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Jeff Snodgres
University of Arkansas
snodgresjeffreys@uams.edu
501.603.1947