heat tape q\'s

[reptilemama]

I'm in the process of putting together some new cages for my ball pythons. I can't decide on where to put the heat tape, and whether to use 1 foot or two. Here's a pic of the cage floor.

the cage is 2 feet wide, 3 feet on the long side and 2 on the short side. (hubby's bright idea-arg-I wasn't home when he put up the framing and the plywood on the side.)
Do I put the heat tape along the back, or along the side? And it seems like it covers quite a bit of the cage, so should I only use 1 foot instead of two? I used two feet in the boa cages, but they're 4X2, so there's more floor space. Any advice? Thanks!

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[Bryan]

I think 2 ft. is the right way to go. Do you put the tape under the tiles?

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[reptilemama]

No, I tape it down to the tile, under the newspaper, and have it on a dimmer switch. It's been working well in the boas cages.

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[Bryan]

Having it inside I would be afraid of a possbile electrical shock if it were to get wet. But that is just me. I run all my heat tape on the outside and have no problems keeping temps and the animals cannot get to it.
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[reptilemama]

But these are wood cages-I really don't think the heat tape is going to work on the outside. All the connections are well insulated. I wouldn't use it if I thought it posed a danger to my animals.
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[trinitywolf]

Hey RM. I would hate for anything to happen to your balls. I know how much you care about your snakes so don't take this the wrong way. Having heat tape inside the cage is a really, really bad idea. You might remember that I built a rack not to long ago. One of the problems that I ran across was a small crack in a piece of the heat tape on one of my shelves. I found it b/c I was running my hand across it checking the warmth on different shelves (as there is only one probe) and it shocked the crap out of me. All of my connections were good and well insulated, but the crack in the middle of the heat tape allowed electricity to escape the tape. This tape is outside the cage and I still ripped it out and fixed the problem. I can't imagine what could have happened if water had gotten to that spot. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_eek.gif[/img] I don't wanna imagine. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_frown.gif[/img]

Please take the heat tape out of the cage. I know it might cost you some extra time and money know, but it may cost you a ton more in the long run. Electrical fires are ugly. I know you don't want anything bad to happen to your babies. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img]
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[reptilemama]

Thanks, trinity, I never realized that could happen! Hmm, now I have a new problem. I just ordered more heat tape, too. My cages are only 12 inches tall, so I really don't have room for an incandescent fixture, and I can't afford Kane heat mats for every cage. i had some fourescent fixtures in there that were putting out enough heat that I decided to remove them. I suppose I could use them, but then they wouldn't get any heat at night. Grr, I knew I should have just gotten some boaphiles! Any other ideas on heating?

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[storm]

I have a thought, but i don't know about the practicality of its application:
What about going ahead with the heat tape, putting down an insulative rubber mat over it, and sealing that with a silicon tile sealant all the way around? That way, you have your heat tape, and you've water-proofed it. Now, this is one of my hair-brained schemes, and i've never tried the like myself, so i would wait for some feedback from other posters here before going forward with it.

_________________
Only a brave or foolhardy man enters a staring contest with a serpent, for they have no eyelids and do not take well to losing.

[Bryan]

I know you said the cages were wood. However the heat tape should work just fine under the tank as well. a lot of breeders use(d) wood tanks before plastic became available. You just need to make sure that there is some circulation and the tape is not between 2 pieces of wood.
Good Luck,
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[Relayer]

Do not put the tape on top where the snake can lay on it. Your snake will get burned. Put it underneath and allow some air flow around it. Wood will hold the heat well. Try using newspaper for a sunstrate also.
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