Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Today I got this 2 foot, Flexwatt heater. Please excuse my ignorance but I have a few questions that I'm sure will be easy to answer. I'm going to use it on a 175 gallon tank. How do I attach it to the bottom of the tank? I ask because I don't want to do something that could cause a fire. Also, how would I attach this into a thermostat since it only has the one plug? I'm guessing this plug will connect to the thermostat, which I don't have yet.

Foil tape, to tape it to where ever you need. Yes it will plug into your thermostat.

Okay thanks, that sounds great. Could you recommend a thermostat for me? I'm hoping that my local Petsmart would have it, if not I'll order one online.

Just get a dimmer switch and switch box from HomeDepot and wire it direct,use a good quality (Accurite*) combo(in/out) temp/humidty guages from WalMart.Simple but reliable set-up for a budget price.You can use the Industrial Velcro to mount the box to the blind end or back side of the enclosure.
Note* Dont cover the entire cage floor,leave half unheated for a cool side.

Pretty Simple Stuff.

>>Okay thanks, that sounds great. Could you recommend a thermostat for me? I'm hoping that my local Petsmart would have it, if not I'll order one online.
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TnK

I would suggest using a proportional thermostat like herpstat or helix. A non proportional one would work to, like johnson controls or rancho. I also use a repti temp control from zoo med, it is cheap and works. It is a dimmer, not a thermostat. Just remember, flexwatt gets really hot, so keep a good eye one it. Hope this helps.

since you want to by a thermostat local get a esu thermostat you can set the temp and works like a ranco its like $30 as to where a dimmer swich the temps in your cage can very depending on room temps and a rehostat wont hold good temps go with a esu also just plug the flex watt straight into the thermostat plug thermostat into outlet and set your temps and good to go

Thanks for all the suggestions everyone.

I just plug this two foot strip directly into the wall to have an idea what kind of heat it produces, and after 30 minutes, it's only slightly warm. With a thermostat will I be able to get more juice out of this?

anything above 98.6 degrees is going to feel warm to you. you want it under that. at the right temps the pad wont feel like much to you, but it's plenty for the snake. you really don't need more juice.

also the esu unit uses cheap parts and it's more likely to fail. i would suggest forking out the 100 bucks for a better stat. 100 bucks is nothing compared to what a failure can do, especially to your animal.

That slightly warm is close to 112*,and Ive seen it go higher then that.
I agree on the good stuff over the known/potential failures of the ZooMed type stuff,we use Ranco exclusivly

>>anything above 98.6 degrees is going to feel warm to you. you want it under that. at the right temps the pad wont feel like much to you, but it's plenty for the snake. you really don't need more juice.
>>
>>also the esu unit uses cheap parts and it's more likely to fail. i would suggest forking out the 100 bucks for a better stat. 100 bucks is nothing compared to what a failure can do, especially to your animal.
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TnK