Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a question about the rack systems. How does the heat tape provide enough heat, but not melt the platic bins or burn the rack? During the cooling cycle how do I accomplish cooling the bins down? Do I need to get a thermostat that controls the temperatures? If so, what do you guys recommend as far as thermostat? Is there any other info I need to know? Do I need to contain the snakes seperately throughout their lives and only put them together for mating purposes? One last thing, how many females can one male breed safely and do I just put all of the females and male in one box and let him have at it or do I contain the females seperately and cycle the male through their cages on a daily or weekly basis?

i would recomend either a Helix, or a herpstat thermostat for the rack these will allow you to maintain the right temps and be able to do a cool down for breeding. i keep all my snakes seperate from each other and when it comes time for breeding i cycle the males with individual females put in for 4 days have a 2 day break. my 900g mojave breeds 4 females a year and gives me good babies.

I would buy the Herpstat ND if you want to drop temps. I personally did not drop temps this year and I should have about 5 to 6 clutches. When you buy a Herpstat you get a heck of a thermostat with incredible support.

Bill
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2.1 Tripple Het Caramel, Orange Ghost, Genetic Stripe
1.0 Honeybee
1.1 Het Lavenders
1.1 Het Caramel Albino
0.1 Het Albino
0.1 Spider Het Albino
0.1 Het Pied
1,1 Pastel Het for Orange Ghost
1.0 Albino
0.1 Spinner
1.1 Super Pastel
0.1 Jungle Pastel
1.0 Pied 50 percent White
0.1 Clown
0.3 Normal
1.1 Kids (9) and (16)
0.1 Spouse (22 Years Married)
1.0 Chocolate Lab

Well, you need a thermostat to get an accurate temperature. I would suggest to get a Herpstat ND at least, since this one provide a way to drop the temp at night (you decide the time to drop and raise).

Or get a herpstat 2 or pro if you want to heat multiple racks. Like an hatchling (that don't need to be cooled), incubator etc...

Also, if you are using flexwatt as heat tape, they usually don,t go higher than 130-150 when connected full power. (Unless you wrap it down and seal it completly). So if you have enough air that pass around there should be no problem. You will ask for 90-95F on your thermostat, so that's not high enough to burn or melt the plastic that bins are made of.

Hopes it's help
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