Reptile & Amphibian Forums

For some additional heat, is there any reason why not to have heat tape directly inside the enclosure? And maybe covered with plastic or something to prevent soiling.

my heat tape is just luke warm and putting it in the slot under the enclosure heats a corner of the bottom only slightly.

i wonder if the snakes would benefit if they had the option to sit directly on top of the tape.

thanks, tom k

You may get another response from others, but I wouldn't do it. I would just be too worried there would be and accident and they would get burned.

Why not just turn up the heat?
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[signature removed 6/4/07] - Thanks buddy.

I'm sure just about everyone would agree to keep the heat tape outside.

The potential for failure is way too high. What if your snake tips its water bowl, or tries to start a shed by rubbing up on the connectors?

If your not getting enough area hot try to place the heat tape in a better position under the tub. I cant imagine the tape not actually getting hot enough. When I first build my rack I left it empty with the heat tape running and the tubs reached over 110 degrees without the thermostat.

Could you be running uneven lengths of heat tape? That will effect the ability to regulate the temp.

you guys are right, too much chance for problems.

i just thought of the idea since using the A/C 24/7 keeps the room only around 70, and the heat tape is just "warm", so the snakes might want something "warmer".

thanks, tom

You can do it but have tape covering it completely and make extra sure the connectors are water proof and be sure to use a proportional thermostat that is properly secured. With a proportional thermostat, it will not get too hot as current will be limited as it approaches target temperature.
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3.6 L. getula californiae - 16 eggs (Cal. King)
1.1 L. getula nigrita (MBK)
1.0 Pantherophis guttatus guttatus (Corn)
0.1 Pituophis catenifer catenifer (Pacific gopher)
3.3 Elgaria multicarinata multicarinata - 14 eggs (Cal. Alligator Lizard)

I would recommend first at least getting an accurate temp.
Maybe you'll be surprised at how warm it actually is?

Just seems like a lot of guessing when you could be more certain with a temp gun or thermometer reading first. I have yet to have heat tape that i don't need to turn down because it's too hot (via dimmer etc)

http://www.morelectric.com/hb.htm
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"Yeah ya told me, and ya wrote it down too. But how the hell am I supposed to remember!"

You can put the heat tape in with the snakes. I have done it for years, but you need to be careful.

I goop up the connections with silicone so there is no danger of water getting anywhere. I then sandwich the heat tape between two pieces of ceramic tile within the cage. Works great!