Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi,
Does anyone know where to get either non-thermostatic heat tape or gutter type heat cable in very long lengths with out paying an arm & a leg ? I need several long pieces (85 feet in one rack). Thanks,
Paul Edwards

www.omega.com - Go to the flexible heaters section. They sell a product called self-limiting heat trace cable. Get the 5 watts/ft or higher. You can go 150 ft I think, but it isn't as flexible as the "normal" kind of heat cable sold.

Thanks.
I went there & found the flexible heaters section, but there was no self limiting heat trace cable section or product in that section. I will call them tomorrow. Have you done business with them directly?
It's relativly easy to find companies that sell heating products, but they have so many kinds of heating products, you really don't know which one to check into with out communicating with the company. And then, I don't know if they'll sell directly to me, I might have to go through a distributor - and they'll take their part of course. I've got a lot to purchase so I'm looking to get it at or under $1.00 a foot. Flexwatt is just too expensive if you need a few hundred feet.
I'm going to also check with Easy Heat; that is the company that used to sell the non-thermostatic heat tape we all used to use, and see if they are still making that type.
Thanks,
Paul

Hi Paul
Yes, they sell it - it might be under the pipe heating section. But, it does cost some money. I've ordered from them a few times, both for temp controllers and various heat cable. I really like their flexible silicon-covered heat tape - it is fantastic stuff for racks but costs alot unfortunately. The stuff I told you about also works very well, but isn't as flexible so you can't make very sharp bends with it.

The Easy Heat product is great. I think its a shame that the major reptile products distributors don't sell it. I believe the product is sold for RV water tanks. Do a search for Easy Heat or RV supplies and see what you come up with.

Another source for heat cable is any town in the mtns. Hardware stores there usually stock heat cable. Problem is, it usually has that thermostat - BUT you can bypass that thermostat without too much work. I've done it, and it worked very well.