Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've seen several sources online line saying that flexwatt heat tape should not be allowed to heat to over 95 degrees F. I understand that it needs to be on a dimmer or theromstat, but is it still safe to set it higher (say like 105 degrees). Of course I would not let the ball's cage get that warm. Thanks for any help.

The FlexWatt tape itself can handle the higher temps but possibly not the glass or plastic it is under. The glass may crack and the plastic could melt. Not to mention burn injuries on your BP.

Rob Reiding.

It is quite unlikely that glass will crack when exposed to temps under 150F (and I've never seen flexi get that hot)...the only way it could is either if the glass already had a hairline crack in it, or if you dump icewater onto the hot surface.

Mr. Reiding is very right in that if the tape is used for belly heat you could do some damage to your snake. Now if you are using it as a back heat, maybe. Don't take the chance, purchase a good thermostat and make sure you check the thermostat's temp with a thermometer. I have ranco's, but don't like the fact that they aren't variable (they are either on or off). If I had to do it again, I'd buy Helix's.

A Helix controller and Flexwatt heat tape makes a very good combination for heating purposes. I have been using Helix controllers with Flexwatt heat tape in my own racks and incubators for a while with good results.
The highest temperature of any Flexwatt heat tape I ever measured was about 120F without the use of a thermostat and personally I have not cracked any glass with it, but thought theoretically that would be possible.

Rob Reiding.

Hey Rob,

What size Flexwatt were you using when you got the 120 reading? I was wondering how hot it would get without a thermostat.

Thanks,
Glenn

That was the 3 Inch wide size. Room temperature was about 76F at that time. I just wanted to test and see how how hot the tape would get without any thermostat or rheostat. It does make a difference how tight you clamp the connectors on it. The tighter the connectors the higher the temperature. 120F was the hottest one I tested and the coolest one was about 105F.
I measured the temperature by sticking the remote temperature sensor of a digital thermometer right onto the heat tape with aluminum tape.

Rob Reiding.

...no problem going over 105F for species such as desert lizards...at room temp ambients (~75F) 3" (6 watt/ft) can reach upwards of 115-120F depending on the surface it lays on...note 10 watt/ft material can reach upwards of 150F so avoid that material...yes if you make a weak connection where only some of the "teeth" of the clip don't penetrate the plastic you may get a weaker current and a lower temp but this is inadvisable...too unreliable...hope this helps.

Scott J. Michaels DVM
Serpent City