Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Say I were to hook up a piece of heat tape. Then coat the entire thing in a silicone. Then in the process of building fake rocks and ledges insert it into the plaster so the ledge itself would be heated. Almost like an elaborate home made heat rock built in. Of course a t-stat would be used and such. Would I be risking a failure do to this damn "air space?"

Bryan,

Heat cable/rope is already sealed, much more flexible, and uses the same technology as the heat cable designed to be imbedded in mortar under bathroom floors.

Much safter choice than flexwatt, IMO.

The air space around the heating element is not a big deal if the material covering it is fairly conductive. Plaster, concrete and tile grout are all conductive so this should be fine.

Remember, the recent discussions regarding air space have had two different themes. The air space around the heating element and the air space in front of reflective insulation.

Not sure if you're confusing the two.

But back to the point of your post, the safest choice for you is to use a radiant heat source directed onto the fake rocks. It's better and probably preferred by the animals as well.
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Current snakes:

0.2 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Silver/Yellow)

3.3 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Green)

2.1 Gonyosoma janseni - (Black)

3.3 Gonyosoma janseni - (Black & Tan)

It was just an idea. I still haven't finished the rack and I already cut the wood to start another enclosure, LOL. I get a little carried away when I get excited. Thanks for the help. I think I'm gonna try to have this rack finished this week so I can get some pictures up. Thanks again.