heat pad reliability

carpe scorpio · Jul 7, 2004

I read in an older post about a heat pad "melt-down", has anyone else ever heard of such a thing?. I have so far had nothing but safe reliable results from mine, they are zoomed reptitherm 8 watt. Comments and experiences are encouraged.

G. Carnell · Jul 7, 2004

nope, mine have never failed me, although they dont work with slant-slided enclosures, they have to be flat (vertical)

Highlander · Jul 7, 2004

The only thing that I have ever used a heat pad for was a snake.

skinheaddave · Jul 7, 2004

I have used heat pads constantly for several years now for many reptiles and have never had any problems.

Cheers,
Dave

carpe scorpio · Jul 7, 2004

Yes, based on the design used for these heaters, and the fact that they were originally created for use by the military(for use on aircraft), I'm starting to question the validity of such an account.

Hoosier · Jul 7, 2004

I've been visiting corn snake forums for years and noticed a few complaints about those zoomed heatpads. I use a mini one so I don't think it has the capability of melting the plastic of my tank. As long as people don't attach the 10 gallon heatpad to rubbermaid containers, etc I think it should be safe. Oh you can check out kingsnake.com and use their search to find some of thsee complaints.

carpe scorpio · Jul 7, 2004

I should have stated, "when used on glass tanks", so these complaints must have centered around synthetic materials?. That brings up another thing, has anyone ever had "stress cracks" on a glass tank?. So far I have been impressed with these heaters.

JDub · Jul 7, 2004

I posted a previous thread about my heater and that it was not supplying enough heat to my tank. this is my only complaint. i put my heater on the side and it only heats the tank a few degrees. would it help if i covered the outer side of the heat pad with tinfoil? i have tried putting more substrate on the side with the heater, which someone in this board suggested to me, but it did not affect things. anyone else with some suggestions?

carpe scorpio · Jul 7, 2004

I would advise against trapping heat againt the outside surface of the heater with tinfoil. Is it a zoomed reptitherm or some other brand?, I have three 8 watt sized pads attached to the sides and back of a 20H tank and right now it is at 88F.

fusion121 · Jul 8, 2004

carpe scorpio said:
I read in an older post about a heat pad "melt-down", has anyone else ever heard of such a thing?. I have so far had nothing but safe reliable results from mine, they are zoomed reptitherm 8 watt. Comments and experiences are encouraged.

Some of my pads are about 6 years old and I've never had any problems with them, they are definitely the safest and most reliable heat source in my opinion.

fusion121 · Jul 8, 2004

JDub said:
I posted a previous thread about my heater and that it was not supplying enough heat to my tank. this is my only complaint. i put my heater on the side and it only heats the tank a few degrees. would it help if i covered the outer side of the heat pad with tinfoil? i have tried putting more substrate on the side with the heater, which someone in this board suggested to me, but it did not affect things. anyone else with some suggestions?

I've found that I don't get enough heat from one pad if I leave the reverse side exposed to the air, the thing I do is to buy that polystrene sheeting that aquarium keepers use, and attach it to the back of the heat pad, this directs all the heat into the tank keeping it nice and warm. Its also important to have all of the pad in contact with the glass, even a small layer of air seriously affects efficiency.

JDub · Jul 8, 2004

fusion121 said:
I've found that I don't get enough heat from one pad if I leave the reverse side exposed to the air, the thing I do is to buy that polystrene sheeting that aquarium keepers use, and attach it to the back of the heat pad, this directs all the heat into the tank keeping it nice and warm. Its also important to have all of the pad in contact with the glass, even a small layer of air seriously affects efficiency.

thanks fusion121, i'll definately try that

carpe scorpio · Jul 8, 2004

Can you post a photo of the polystyrene setup?.

fusion121 · Jul 8, 2004

carpe scorpio said:
Can you post a photo of the polystyrene setup?.

I'm many miles from home at the moment but I'll try to when i get back, all it is really is pretty basic insulation just like you'd use in your house.

carpe scorpio · Jul 8, 2004

And this stuff is non-flammable?.

fusion121 · Jul 8, 2004

carpe scorpio said:
And this stuff is non-flammable?.

well yes its flammable in the technical sense like most polymers, but only at temperatures well above those your going to get with heatpads(490°C to be precise), I've used it for ages and it seems to work really well, its also very inexpensive.

carpe scorpio · Jul 8, 2004

If you trust it, that's good enough for me, maybe I'll use this idea next winter when it's -35F outside and barely 65F inside.

Richard_uk · Jul 8, 2004

I have used heatmats & strips (with thermostats) and have never had any problems. I have got a couple of brands on the go, Habistat and Naturep. The Naturep mat has black bands instead of being a solid black mat. It gets hotter that my other mats withought anything actually being in contact with it. The instructions on my habistat mats actually reccomend that you cover one side of the mat with polystyrene sheet to prevent heat loss.

G. Carnell · Jul 8, 2004

this is the way i do it: (maybe not fusions way)
polystyrene or w/e it is helps ALOT, dont underestimate it,
it also insulates partially from vibrations when under the tank, so it really is essential.

fusion121 · Jul 8, 2004

George Carnell said:
this is the way i do it: (maybe not fusions way)
polystyrene or w/e it is helps ALOT, dont underestimate it,
it also insulates partially from vibrations when under the tank, so it really is essential.

I generally put it under the tank for insulation, but yes good point the vibration damping is another good use especially for scorpions, its great stuff.

heat pad reliability

Arachnoking

Arachnoemperor

Arachnobaron

SkorpionSkin

Arachnoking

Arachnobaron

Arachnoking

Arachnosquire

Arachnoking

Arachnoking

Arachnoking

Arachnosquire

Arachnoking

Arachnoking

Arachnoking

Arachnoking

Arachnoking

Arachnobaron

Arachnoemperor

Attachments

Arachnoking