Reptile & Amphibian Forums

ok i have this delema, i am debating between heat lamps and heat tape. i am about to build a 3'W x 6'H x 2'D ball python housing quarters. it is going to have 3 differnt compartments, one on top the other. i have this delema because i am making it out of melamine and i dont know if i can put heat tape on it. also im looking at the electrical cost, because heat tape stays on 24/7, where as a light fixture stays on a certain amount of time a day..or i can do both, with the light fixture on during the day and the heat tape on at night. and also how do i attach the heat tape to the melamine with out the animal touching it and then that determines my substrate also.let me know what yall think, i really need some ideas..thanks...
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0.1 normal redtail boa
1.0 true redtail boa
1.1 100% het for albino redtails
1 miami red phase cornsnake
1 baby sulcata tortoise
1 snow corn

>>ok i have this delema, i am debating between heat lamps and heat tape. i am about to build a 3'W x 6'H x 2'D ball python housing quarters. it is going to have 3 differnt compartments, one on top the other. i have this delema because i am making it out of melamine and i dont know if i can put heat tape on it. also im looking at the electrical cost, because heat tape stays on 24/7, where as a light fixture stays on a certain amount of time a day..or i can do both, with the light fixture on during the day and the heat tape on at night. and also how do i attach the heat tape to the melamine with out the animal touching it and then that determines my substrate also.let me know what yall think, i really need some ideas..thanks...

I have a rack with 11" tape running down the back that is masonite pegboard. I don't see why the melamine couldn't take it. It isn't like you are frying it. It is gonna be set under 100. And while tape is on all the time the amount of wattage is 1/4 at least of what a bulb runs for each compartment. Tape runs something like 8-20 watts/ft. vs a bulb that is 40-100watts. Besides, with BPs the bulbs are gonna toast out their humidity. I would run the tape on the outside of the enclosure.
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Sonya

Haven't we warned you about tampering with the structure of a chaotic system?
Mrs. Neutron

I use 11" and 5" heat tape under all my Neos, depending on the cage size. The tape is supported by Masonite and is between that and the plastic Neos. All of the tape is on various Helixes for temp control, so that they never get too hot. One 40-60 watt bulb (depending on cage size) is at one end for basking. It gives a temp gradient from very warm (95) for basking down to about 70 in the cooler areas where the tape is not under the cage. The light bulb is on a simple timer for photoperiod. Got about 7 different types of Australian/Indo species set up that way, and it seems to work fine. ALL animals have hide boxes, even the 10-12 footers. The plastic carriers at walmart can be turned upside down and holes cut in one side. Keep them at the opposite end from the light bulb!