Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I know you're not supposed to trap heat, but if the heat goes through the linoleum it's not trapped, right?

I have sandwiched flexwatt between whiteboard sheets and plywood cage bottoms with no issue at all. Disperses heat evenly. Just keep it on a thermostat or a dimmer at the very least. I know many rack builders sandwhiched it in their plastic racks as well.

I have some Ultratherms but never tried to sandwhich them as of yet. I think they fall into their own category as compared to flexwatt. Not really sure on that one.

TT

-----
Reptile-Pit.com

1.1 Woma Pythons
2.1 Olive Pythons
1.1 Granite Burmese Pythons
1.0 Indian Python
1.1 Eastern Indigos (waiting for hatchlings)
0.1 Ball Python (donation / rehab snake)
0.1 Amazon Tree Boa

I'm not sure on this one - but I believe that it may not be well advised to heat through plywood, as plywood is made of wood scrap that is bound with an adhesive. Heating this adhesive may release slight chemical fumes that, over time, may lead to health issues with the animal.

Just something to consider.

- Mark

-----
----------------------------------------------
My personal site: www.antegy.com
----------------------------------------------
My Kingsnake.com Picture Gallery
----------------------------------------------
My photography on photo.net
----------------------------------------------
Me on myspace.com

Good call Mark. I have never sandwiched anything between two pieces of plywood. I always opt for the top most layer to be thin and water resistant like coated bathroom whiteboard for easier cleaning. I have been doing it that way for quite some time with no known effects. I would repost this question in the caging section. You will get alot of good opinions in there.

But I still say there is a difference in ultratherm versus flexwatt. I beleive Ultratherm use a similar heating method as radiant infrared heat panels and having a gap between the pad / panel and the intended source is important. Having it sandwiched will shorten the life or keep it from operating. Flexwatt is more heat through resistance.

I use my ultratherms right on the inside of the cage. On top of what ever the floor cover may be. They are water proof.

TT
-----
Reptile-Pit.com

1.1 Woma Pythons
2.1 Olive Pythons
1.1 Granite Burmese Pythons
1.0 Indian Python
1.1 Eastern Indigos (waiting for hatchlings)
0.1 Ball Python (donation / rehab snake)
0.1 Amazon Tree Boa

Like the others I am not 100% sure here but I do not think it will work to well for the simple fact that flex-watt is designed to heat a surface area like the bottom of an aquarium where as ultratherm heat panels are designed to heat air over a large amount of space, like the inside of the cage. By sandwiching the heat panel inbetween two things I would think that you have an outstanding chance of overheating the device and creating a fire hazard. Why not just mount the panel to the back or the top of the cage like the item was designed for. Just my thoughts. Todd

essentially low wattage flexwatt, just already UL wired and rubberised for moisture resistance. The only thing I find on the net about them is the description of them on the Bean Farm, which is basically that. I guess I'll find out more about the Ultratherms when I get them from the UPS man.

i can't remember exactly who, or when, maybe over last winter or something, someone on the retic forum had their python in a wooden cage that had a heat pad attached to the back. It started a fire and killed the snake. If the owner hadn't been there it would have caused a major fire. I haven't read through the thread yet, I just thought this was an important reminder.