Heating solutions

[Dorifto]

Actually, I found a decent sized heat matt: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Reptile-Vi...&hvtargid=pla-2281435177898&gad_source=1&th=1

Would just need to get a thermostat in addition.

Just use normal double sided tape to place it in one side, make sure to place the thermostat in between or on top of the heated area. In your case I'd opt for the in between option, that way you don't need to run any cable to the inside.

Just having a bit of difficulty finding heat tape, unless I'm looking at completely the wrong thing, can't seem to find many ultratherm products.

Look for heat tape, heat stripes, heat mats, depending on where you live they have different names for the same thing.

Simply choose one as the one you mentioned, a thin one, the ones that are rubberized should be avoided.

 

[eggsbenedict]

Just use normal double sided tape to place it in one side, make sure to place the thermostat in between or on top of the heated area. In your case I'd opt for the in between option, that way you don't need to run any cable to the inside.


Look for heat tape, heat stripes, heat mats, depending on where you live they have different names for the same thing.

Simply choose one as the one you mentioned, a thin one, the ones that are rubberized should be avoided.

Can I ask your opinion on a couple of thermostats I am looking at getting?

Microclimate MiniStat 100

Simple 100W thermostat for terrarium heating Ideal for simple on/off elements like heat mats Comes with plug and 5 year warranty

www.reptiles.swelluk.com

HabiStat Mat Stat

Mat stat perfect for running reptile heat mats, heat cables and reptile radiators Uses a remote sensor to monitor the temperature in your reptile's habitat Available in 2 colours with a 5 year guarantee

www.reptiles.swelluk.com

Specifically if you think these would be suitable for the aforementioned setup.

 

[Dorifto]

Can I ask your opinion on a couple of thermostats I am looking at getting?

Microclimate MiniStat 100

Simple 100W thermostat for terrarium heating Ideal for simple on/off elements like heat mats Comes with plug and 5 year warranty

www.reptiles.swelluk.com

HabiStat Mat Stat

Mat stat perfect for running reptile heat mats, heat cables and reptile radiators Uses a remote sensor to monitor the temperature in your reptile's habitat Available in 2 colours with a 5 year guarantee

www.reptiles.swelluk.com

Specifically if you think these would be suitable for the aforementioned setup.

Second one, you could run bigger mats, if needed, more safely. Habistat it's a decent brand, so you shouldn't have any issues.

 

[eggsbenedict]

Update: I found a great solution for creating a space heater without spending a penny.

Use my desktop PC to run some intensive programmes as part of a distributed network contributing to citizen science!

 

[Kada]

A note on heat tape. In case of fires, you may void your house insurance e as it's more a DIY product and isn't then tested. I've had it melt and catch wood on fire before. I would avoid it unless your spending money on quality, and multiple, thermostats and safety switches.

 

[Dorifto]

A note on heat tape. In case of fires, you may void your house insurance e as it's more a DIY product and isn't then tested. I've had it melt and catch wood on fire before. I would avoid it unless your spending money on quality, and multiple, thermostats and safety switches.

Here the voltage is 220 volts, so we are consuming half the amps to reach the same wattage, so we run cooler, decreasing chances of having electrical fires. Also, any heat mat/tape/stripe should have passed the CE certificate, so it should be covered by the insurance.

Also he will be using a decent thermostat, with a inbuilt fuse, decreasing even more any risks.

 

[WolfieKate]

I’d steer clear of heat tape. I got some to attach a heat pad to the side of an enclosure and it significantly got hotter than the lowest setting pad and very quickly. Risking the spider and a fire. It just conducts heat so much faster and way more variably than the thing its attaching.

 

[Kada]

Here the voltage is 220 volts, so we are consuming half the amps to reach the same wattage, so we run cooler, decreasing chances of having electrical fires. Also, any heat mat/tape/stripe should have passed the CE certificate, so it should be covered by the insurance.

Also he will be using a decent thermostat, with a inbuilt fuse, decreasing even more any risks.

I should of clarified, my issue is with flexeatter heat tape. The voltage won't matter because the tape itself is the risk. If the thermostat fails, it gets hot enough to melt and burn. Given it's essentially a DIY project, the certification on the manufacture of the tape itself likely won't matter as the assembly with plug and wire couldn't of been tested because the end user does that themselves at home.

I would be very careful, that's all. Many people have lost animals with the stuff. I used it a lot in breeding racks for years. But things happen.

 

[Dorifto]

Using a heat mat that is intended for heating an enclosure it's not a DYI project, you are using a product designed and tested for that purpose. Other different thing would be if you are using a dyi wire and eating it using using some dyi regulators, that would be another different thing.

Heat stripes/mats, like the one I mentioned before, for example Ultratherm ones, can be directly plugged to the socket and won't reach risky temps, anyway always is recommended to use thermostats with inbuilt safety features to add an extra layer of safety.

Now do stupid things like using them beyond their designs capabilities, not following the user guide... etc and like everything they could pose a potential damage risk. Unfortunatelly too many people do such things and then blame the products...

It will be nice if you share with us how you got in such situation, the brand of the mat, if you used any safety feature/device to avoid such situations etc.

 

[Kada]

Flexwatt is just heat tape. They don't have a wire or plug attached, you do that yourself. Therein lies the liability issue. You need to wire them yourself, that is attach the plug to the tape. when we were teying to amrket reptile and amphibian enclosures in north america back in the day this was thebnain issue. electrical testing and certification. it could be done, on a case by case basis for a couple hundred USD each time. it wasnt worth it. same issue with this tape, ita not like agricultural heat mats which come wired up from the factory. At least those you can plausibly put some/all liability onto the company when things go south. loads of risk of "improper use". Thus increased likely hood of insurance not covering it check their website, I'm not sure if it's allowed to link here. They have photos of how it is sold and how it works there. I have had them melt and catch fire, as have many people I know. We all use multiple thermostats, good ones. Every rack I owned had a sensor per 3 layers. Things still can go wrong. Even more wrong if someone lives in a house made of wood

Just be aware is all. I worry more for thebkids in the hobby that might do stuff without knowing this, and all of a sudden the parents are caught with an issue. Renters the same. To each their own, but it should be emphasized that heat tape, do e right, is expensive as good thermostats, back ups and multiples of add up quite fast. It's a good efficient tool, but an expensive one for just a single tank to be safe in my opinion. It's more aimed at larger operations where the cost of safety is spread out due to scale.

 

[Introvertebrate]

A note on heat tape. In case of fires, you may void your house insurance e as it's more a DIY product and isn't then tested. I've had it melt and catch wood on fire before. I would avoid it unless your spending money on quality, and multiple, thermostats and safety switches.

I kinda doubt that homeowner's insurance covers any supplemental heating, not to mention space heaters. The instructions included with every space heater specifically say, "Do not operate unattended." Here in the states, there are vendors who will wire up your heat tape for you. You just plug it into the thermostat and go. I bought a crimper a few years ago, so when it comes time to replace the tape, I wire it up myself. I doubt that it matters to the insurance company either way. I've got a high-end thermostat, so I'm not overly concerned about it.

 

[Glorfindel]

often hear people saying don't let them get too cold, but the opposite applies too. don't overheat them.
find a happy medium