Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I had a zoomed heater under my snakes water bowl and just realized multiple cracks have formed in the glass. Any suggestions as to what to do in the future?
Thanks

Any kind of heat tape (Flex-Watt, Zoomed, Cobra, etc.) continuously generates heat which can build up to dangerous levels unless there is "breathing room" for the heat tape.

If your heater was attached to the underside of the aquarium there should be about 1/2-inch of space underneath the bottom glass because of the aquarium frame.

If, however, you had the heater inside the aquarium (NOT recommended at all) there could be a buildup of heat quickly if something is resting on top of the heater.

Think of it this way -- heat tape does not make a good sandwich. Never place heat tape between two hard. There MUST be breathing room on one side of the heat tape, about 1/2-inch, in order for the heat to dissipate.

The instructions for the Cobra product make this very clear, and I wish all the heat tape manufactures did the same.

Bill

It should read:

Never place heat tape between two hard surfaces.

Bill

(I wish this forum had post-editing capabilities like some others have.)

I guess I need a rheostat...