Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm thinking of transitioning to rummbermaid containers for my snakes, but I have a few questions about heating them. I was thinking of using either T-Rex Cobra Heat Mats or Ultratherm heat mats. These claim they maintain constant temperatures eliminating the need for dimmers or rheostats unless precise temperatures are desired. Also, I believe the T-Rex mats claim to not raise air temperature, only the surface temperature of the mat. I don't know if the Ultratherms work the same way or not. Anyway, I was hoping some of you had used these and could give me some feedback. The main thing I'm wondering about is how safe they are for use in a rubbermaid. I don't know the approximate melting point for plastics used to make them, but I don't want to take any chances. I was thinking maybe I could place something between the mat and the bottom of the container if it would be a good idea. Do you guys think that would be necessary, or would I not even need to worry about it? Thanks a bunch for any help you can offer.

I went to the Bean Farm to read up on Ultratherms and they say temperature ranges from 65-95 degrees F depending on external temperature. So they don't remain constant like the cobra heat mats, but are designed to stay in a safe range I guess.

Most heat mats work generally the same. They only have so much wattage. I have tried Zoo Med, Cobra, T-Rex and they all are about the same performance. The Zoo Med mat has an adhesive on it so you peel the paper and stick it where you want it. It is pretty much permanent. The others you would have to mount yourself. I use adhesive aluminum tape to attach it to the bottom of a Rubbermaid container. I also hot glue 1" square acrylic cubes on all four corners to raise the Rubbermaid container off the surface and to allow for air flow.

Robert

>>I'm thinking of transitioning to rummbermaid containers for my snakes, but I have a few questions about heating them. I was thinking of using either T-Rex Cobra Heat Mats or Ultratherm heat mats. These claim they maintain constant temperatures eliminating the need for dimmers or rheostats unless precise temperatures are desired. Also, I believe the T-Rex mats claim to not raise air temperature, only the surface temperature of the mat. I don't know if the Ultratherms work the same way or not. Anyway, I was hoping some of you had used these and could give me some feedback. The main thing I'm wondering about is how safe they are for use in a rubbermaid. I don't know the approximate melting point for plastics used to make them, but I don't want to take any chances. I was thinking maybe I could place something between the mat and the bottom of the container if it would be a good idea. Do you guys think that would be necessary, or would I not even need to worry about it? Thanks a bunch for any help you can offer.

I'd be worried about using an adhesive pad on plastic and I'm looking at using something that won't require a dimmer. I was under the impression that the t-rex cobra heat mats were for use inside the enclosure. I'll try to gather more information tomorrow so I can be more specific.

I use the cobra heat pads on two of my tanks, one glass the other vision. The temp through the vision is like 95-100 degrees from the bottom. The glass one not so hot because I use astro turf over that. But I do have ceramic tiles that I bought at home depot under the tanks as well, so the pads dont burm the wood, because I was afraid of the heat starting a fire. For a rubbermaid I would use a heating pad with the cover on it, that way you can ajust as needed, I did that for my Iguana in a glass tank worked good and cheap.