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I am building 2 cages (one for a BP, one for somethind undecided). They are going to be 2' by 4'. I was going to heat it with heat panels, but they are to expensive for my tastes and none will fit my cage good. I remembered about people saying some heat pads can be used in the cage. Is there any truth behind those sayings? if so which brands? where do i get them? is there any precautions i need to take?
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0.1 "Tremper" looking Albino Leopard gecko (Lex)
0.0.1 tiger crested gecko (peachs)
1.1 Feral cats that we adopted (Fuzzy, and Bear)

I'm not a owner of any herps, just a domicile attendant.

My image Gallery

Most any human heat pad that you can purchase at wal mart target etc. will work as a heat source just make sure you dont just smash the cage on top of it. I prefer those because you can regulate temps without buying a thermostat for a uth. However it is not as an exact temp a using a therm.
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0.1 Leos
1.1 Corn snakes (1 Lav & 1 Ghost)
0.1 Banan California King
0.0.1 Childrens python
1.1 Brazilian Rainbow boa
1.0 Rat (as pet not food)
1.2 Ball pythons (1pastel 2 normals)
"whats with you and all those dang reptiles?"

np
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0.1 "Tremper" looking Albino Leopard gecko (Lex)
0.0.1 tiger crested gecko (peachs)
1.1 Feral cats that we adopted (Fuzzy, and Bear)

I'm not a owner of any herps, just a domicile attendant.

My image Gallery

the only problem with having the heat pads on the insides is make sure it will not get hot enough to burn and use layerd newspaper. I have a friend that uses human pads inside the cage with newspaper and as long as they have hides have not seen them try and get under the paper directly on the pad. I do not prefer this method because of the potential for trouble. I have a kingsnake that never went under her carpet but one day just got it in her head to go under while in shed one time and got a little sunburned. so now its back to outside the cage for all.
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0.1 Leos
1.1 Corn snakes (1 Lav & 1 Ghost)
0.1 Banan California King
0.0.1 Childrens python
1.1 Brazilian Rainbow boa
1.0 Rat (as pet not food)
1.2 Ball pythons (1pastel 2 normals)
"whats with you and all those dang reptiles?"

it would work with cypress mulch that is on top of newspaper?
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0.1 "Tremper" looking Albino Leopard gecko (Lex)
0.0.1 tiger crested gecko (peachs)
1.1 Feral cats that we adopted (Fuzzy, and Bear)

I'm not a owner of any herps, just a domicile attendant.

My image Gallery

yes I have used that double substrate trick before and it seemed to work especially with BP,s..now my BRBS for some reason love to burrow more.
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0.1 Leos
1.1 Corn snakes (1 Lav & 1 Ghost)
0.1 Banan California King
0.0.1 Childrens python
1.1 Brazilian Rainbow boa
1.0 Rat (as pet not food)
1.2 Ball pythons (1pastel 2 normals)
"whats with you and all those dang reptiles?"

np
-----
0.1 "Tremper" looking Albino Leopard gecko (Lex)
0.0.1 tiger crested gecko (peachs)
1.1 Feral cats that we adopted (Fuzzy, and Bear)

I'm not a owner of any herps, just a domicile attendant.

My image Gallery

I had to add extra heat to 4' x 2' cages that came with heat tape that didn't work well. I'm also using human heating pads, but they get very hot (even on the lowest setting) when something is on top of them. To increase the ambient temp without the risk of burns, I taped mine to the sides with double sided tape. The large heating pad fit perfectly in the side of my cage and works very well. It also keeps the heating pad from getting too hot and burning out. I know it's not belly heat, but at least it's safer for the snake.