HeatTape & Leopard Gecko's

[The Juice]

I am trying to put togather a Rack/Shelf type deal for my Leopards and I was Planning one using heattape,But I don't know how long or wide I need it to be to provide enough heat for a Leopard gecko. Anyone know a good place to buy HeatTape. One pestore around here sells heatrope, would that be better? babies will be housed in a 12q sterilite and adults will be housed in a 28q sterilite.

 

[Lasiodora]

4" flexwatt heat tape is wide enough to provide a hot spot and heat gradient for a rack system. You need to use a thermostat though. There is no way around that. Proportional thermostats work the best. I use Big apple herp thermostats. They work quite well for me. There are other models available too.

flexwatt

proportional thermostat

rack construction tutorial

Mike

 

[The Juice]

Thanks for the links and info. I was told that I could make a Dimmer(for under $7 to control the heattape.

 

[Lasiodora]

Your welcome.
Dimmers work but they won't automactically adjust when there is a fluctuation in temps. A thermostat will give you steady temps and will adjust to any changes in ambient temps of the room the rack is in. I use them because they provide my cages with an 86f spot whether the room is 50f or 70f. I never have to worry about over heating or under heating. The thermostat also has a fuse which blows and cuts power if the wattage limit is exceeded. Thermostats are worth the investment.
Mike

 

[The Juice]

Have you ever used HeatRope? That is what the local petstores carries, I think it costs a little bit more money but it might even out since I would have to pay 4 shipping for the HeatTape. What Reptiles are you heating?

 

[Lasiodora]

The problem with heat ropes is that it needs to be recessed into the shelves of the rack system so that the shoe boxes can slide out properly. It also has to be looped to provide a uniform heat spot ( Scroll down to the bottom of this page link to see a piicture of what I mean by looping the rope heat rope in use ) You may end up paying more for the heat rope since you need to loop it. A straight line of rope will not provide the heat gradient that you may need.

I have used flexwatt pads to heat boids, colubrids, varanids, arachnids, viperids, etc. I've never had a problem with it. Currently I'm using it to heat my blood python sweater boxes and my orange head roach colony.

If you can find a way to make the heat rope work for your situation then I say go for it. Don't base your choice on pricing though. Make sure you base your choice on what will work best for providing the proper heat gradient for your animals.
Mike
Mike

 

[Jeff_C]

Be very careful with the DIY flexwatt. I had read how it can overheat on its own but didnt believe it until i smelled burning coming from son's room!! Good thing I was home because that sucker was burning hot and starting to melt/burn the shelving! Of course I have about 5 sets of it running through the house still but I check them daily.

Sorry to be so alarming but you should be aware.


Jeff

 

[Lasiodora]

Jeff,
If you use a thermostat the flexwatt pads don't overheat. Often times the overheating occurs when a thermostat is not used. I've used flexwatt pads for about nine years and have never had one overheat (even went away for two weeks and had no trouble). If I don't use a thermostat I make sure there is a large enough gap between the pad and the surface it is on, too prevent a build up of too much heat. You are right though, they can be a danger if not used properly. So as Jeff said, be careful.
Mike

 

[The Juice]

Currently I have my new male in a sterilite shoebox on a Human heat pad (Smallest one at Wal-Mart) With a Exo Terra Thermometer on the inside wall close to the bottom and it reads 85 degress so maybe I can do something with human heat pads.

I've heard Heat Tape is dangerous, so I am looking into alternatives. I wonder if heat Tape is more safe?

 

[Lasiodora]

I still still stand by flexwatt Easy to set up and cheap to run.
Good Luck with your search for a heating source. BTW those reptile thermometers are not very accurate. Digital thermometers with probes work better.
Mike