Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have used flexwatt in racks, and in some cages that I covered with linoleum flooring. I am going to try making some cages using an epoxy covering the bottom and 1-2 inches on the sides and back. Should I put the flexwatt on first and then epoxy over it, or epoxy and then flexwatt? Does it need to be covered? I have never used it where the animals come in direct contact with the heating element. I have everything on dimmers and thermostats so I'm not really worried about burns, more worried about having to clean feces and urates off the flexwatt and having it hold up. Thanks for the replies.
-----
Michael McFadden, M.S., D.V.M.

I don't have any advice addressing your specific concerns. But I do want to comment that many epoxies can soften quite a bit when exposed to temperatures in the upper 90's. Flexwatt usually has a surface temperature of over 90* for most reptile applications.

I have used a handful of epoxies in cages and I have used flexwatt. Personally, I would not use them together.

Polyester is better with heat. Maybe consider cutting a hole out of the floor and fiberglassing over that and then attaching the flexwatt from underneath in the cut-out area.
-----
Currently keeping a small collection of various Gonyosoma. Both G. janseni and G. oxycephala.

Michael,

I caution against using Flexwatt uncovered inside a cage. It isn't that it can't be done, it is that it becomes a safety issue no matter how careful you or I think we are.

The pic attched here is of ZooMed heat pads I covered in expanded PVC plastic (both sides) and sealed the edges with plastic and cord entry with silicon. I use these right inside cages with no worries. These heaters can get wet (not submersed) and can be under sand or mulch and scratched and pooped on with peace of mind. Way more efficient than a heater under a cage. You can use Flexwatt in place of the ZooMed heat pad and make these as well.

The expanded PVC were scraps from a local sign shop. They charged me for them, but I used every scrap I got for something.

My next project is to use silicon-coated heat strips sandwiched between aluminum and plastic. The heaters themselves are pricey (see www.omega.com and look for flexible heaters) but the possibilities are just so numerous for setting up effective and efficient heating inside a cage. Why heat the shelf and cage bottom when you can just heat the cage substrate?

-----
Mark

I would be careful about enclosing or sandwiching heat pads of any type! without checking with the distribitor, most pads need air circulation and need to breath. Enclosing them could cause a fire hazard, or melt down!
-----
R.Bichlers Colubrids
http://www.webspawner.com/users/rbichler/index.html

Well, I doubt meltdown, since 7 watts isn't all that much. These pads conduct heat to the substrate, so energy does not build up on the pad only. And the substrate has sand, which conducts heat away from the pad, unlike wood shavings, which are an insulator.
-----
Mark

Hit return too fast.. but when toying around like I do with heaters, you are correct in that one must be smart about experimenting, since doing the wrong thing (like trapping heat) can be an accident waiting to happen.
-----
Mark