Safe Heating Options

kenatk · #1 (**permalink**) 01-31-2006, 07:49 PM

I don't like red incandescent light bulbs (never have) and I am considering not using them anymore, mostly because I have to work harder to keep the humidity up with those things, and also because I'm afraid of a catastrophic failure happening, and the apartment building I live in burning down to the foundation as a result.

I'm mildly OCD ... me and the doctor are working on it.

I am considering using a human heating pad as a replacement. What are your thoughts on this?

Currently, my boa is in a 20 gal. glass terrarium. I am ordering him an Animal Plastics one, soon as he's a little larger. Would a human heating pad work as an under-tank heater very well? And most importantly, would my snake (who loves to burrow) be in any danger with the pad under there? Also, what would be the best way to affix the heating pad to the tank?

Thank you for your help.

ozzyman778 · #2 (**permalink**) 02-01-2006, 03:49 AM

i wouldn't personaly..... My freind used one for a few months for what he called "temporary heating" and well after all that time being constantly on it had signs of internal burning..... use some flexwatt and a thermostat or some other kind of reptile heating pad with a thermostat..... Human heating pads were not meant to be constantly on and some will even shut off every hour..... whatever heat source you use get a thermostat to control it or it could potentially reach unsafe temperatures for your snake.... check out http://www.bigappleherp.com/Reptile_...eating_26.html you can get yourself a cheap thermostat and flexwatt for under a hundred or a the one I use the Herp Power Proportional Thermostat and some flexwatt for around $150 or so

kenatk · #3 (**permalink**) 02-01-2006, 11:54 AM

Yeah, I decided against the human heating pad, and opted for two zoo-med heating pads instead. What I did was, I placed them on the terrarium on the sides, in the far left rear corner. The temperature on the hot side is 85 degrees, and 79/90 on the cool side. The basking spot on top of the hidebox is 90/92 and the humidity is a solid 62% with most of the screen top covered up and wet moss placed on the grapevine in the terrarium.

I anticipate the snake growing out of his terrarium in 5 months or so, so I am planning on getting him an animal plastics cage, nad moving him into that before that happens. When I do that I'll have them build the cage with the belly heat, and that ought to take care of him.

Thank you again for your help

V/R

Kenny

JuliusSqueezer · #4 (**permalink**) 02-01-2006, 12:43 PM

Yeah...human heat pads get scortched looking...but honestly, I've had some running for years. I toss them and replace every now and then but usually get at least a couple of years out of them. Cheap heat and they work. I get mine at the thriftstores for 50 cents each lol. I use mostly heat tape though.

bcfos1 · #5 (**permalink**) 02-01-2006, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JuliusSqueezer

Yeah...human heat pads get scortched looking...but honestly, I've had some running for years. I toss them and replace every now and then but usually get at least a couple of years out of them. Cheap heat and they work. I get mine at the thriftstores for 50 cents each lol. I use mostly heat tape though.

And here I was thinking I was cheap..

I tried heat tape, under tank pads, and kane heat mats. I finally settled on radient heat panels. For the money they are the best option IMO.

JuliusSqueezer · #6 (**permalink**) 02-01-2006, 01:52 PM

I just don't believe that all the heat should come from above. Belly heat helps with digestion. Sure the overhead heat can heat certain floor space..like a flat rock or something but 5 minutes of laying on it and the snake's body shades it and the area cools. In the wild the sun hits from varying angles and the snake can keep moving to warmer spots. I don't see a way to replicate how the sun heats surfaces in the confines of a cage.

Nexus · #7 (**permalink**) 02-01-2006, 02:09 PM

Although all the heat comes from above it does reflect off of surfaces inside the vivarium and as such can be deemed as multi directional. Also the area that the snake is resting on will continue to be warmed by heat soaking in from the area that is exposed. The snake also has a circulatory system so heat being absorded from the upper side of the body should reach all areas of the snake. I have always used CHE elements in the top of the tank and have never had any digestive issues with snakes. Also snakse such as ETB's would never come into contact with the floor of an enclosure and as such would absorb all of their heat in a radiant manner.

Just my two pennith worth

Cheers
Nick

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