Reptile & Amphibian Forums

This is just a heads up for all cage users. I had a fire about three weeks ago. (It took me this long to post so I could cool down myself.) I was not happy with the situation at all. Luckily for me there wasn't too much damage. It was enough to scare the crap out of me. The worst part is....I have no sense of smell. My wife and kids were gone for the weekend and they came home asking me why it smelled like burnt plastic.
Here are the pics of my three year old RhinoRaxx.
This shouldn't have happened. The sweater box was on a regulator . The one thing I am thankful for is self extinguishing plastic. The one thing I would do differently would be to have something between the cage and the floor. Be safe.
This has been the final blow for my snake career. Take care all and be safe. All the animals that I had left are sold due to the fire. No more snakes for me.
John

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"To be the best..........You must lose your mind."

we sure hope you'll still stay in touch! It's nice to have good guys around like yourself....even if we never could get together for lunch ;O)~
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Chris & Alliey
www.bloodyleopard.com
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Glad everyone is ok! That sux big time and sorry to hear your going to get out of snakes. I think you should keep atleast your favorite pair but if you had enough then you had enough. Again, glad everyone is ok and I wish you the best,and DEFINITELY KEEP IN TOUCH!

Ruben Michel

That is definitely enough for a good scare. I could see that having a major impact on me as well. So glad that is all the damage that was done. Sorry to hear you are leaving the hobby, but hey, crested geckos like it at room temp. No heat needed. Maybe something else will catch your eye and you can stick around and still be a good guy in the reptile world. If not, take care.
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Phil Goss
www.gossreptiles.com

info@gossreptiles.com

Leopard geckos are fun ;O)~
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Chris & Alliey
www.bloodyleopard.com
E-mail Us

We can't have Petco and PetsMart running out of leopard and crested geckos.
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Phil Goss
www.gossreptiles.com

info@gossreptiles.com

I don't know you.But your a reptile guy.
If you get in a car accident are you gonna quit driving.I know it's scary when that happen it happened to me.now i check with temp gone alot.in my main room I keep room warm no bottom heat.
I hope you think about it some more
good luck
Mike

John, i'm so sorry to hear that. Even more sorry that it will pull you away from the hobby!

This is a valuable lesson for all of us! What kind of thermostat were you using? Looks like it must have gotten stuck wide open?

All the best,

Guy

Sorry to hear about that, but happy no one was hurt!
I have tons of Boaphile plastics and am curious to know what kind of thermostat you were using? I use the Rancos on all of mine and have never had one have a problem,...knock on wood.
Curious to the type of thermostat if you would?
Thanks,
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BASICALLYBOAS.com
'Specializing in True RedTails & Designer Boa Morphs'

ParadigmBoa.com
The most exciting thing to happen to Boa Constrictor Morphs!
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MAN , that sure sucks , glad to here no one was hurt in the fire , im really sorry this seems to have put you out of the hobby , even being over hear in the uk , you name stands out as one of the great boa guyz , cant you think it through before you make any decisions you may regret ?
If you do go out of the hobby would be great to see you on here from time to time
Kev

Thanks all,

I'll have to live vicariously through all you.

It appeared to be a heat tape failure. It was located on the bottom in the least used drawer. The heat tape was recessed. So, I doubt it was scratched. But, you never know.

I was using a thermostat that came with my neodeshas. It isn't a very fancy one. But, I don't know the model.

Some questioned if the thermostat failed. All the other drawer locations we fine temp wise. I had to check since I had animals in there. Luckily, no one was in the bottom tank.

From what I saw, it was a heat tape failure.
Be safe,
John
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"To be the best..........You must lose your mind."

It looked like 3 inch flex watt in the pics, but I couldn't tell exactly.

First off,

I am glad you and your family are ok.

Please be sure to stop by and chat occasionally. I liked it when we all where in the "retic" forum several years back. Was lots of fun.

I hate using phrases like, it could have been worse.

That was bad enough and I COMPLETELY understand your decision about disseminating your collection.

Some things can not be replaced in life and snakes are not one of them.

Later John & God Bless!!!

PS you stay safe as well.

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Thanks,

Frank Roberts
Roberts' Realm Of Reptile Research

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Caden Chapman
slithering.serpents@gmail.com
http://slitheringserpents.com