What's the best Heat Pad?

InsanityApe · 09-23-13, 08:18 AM

Like the title says I'm looking for the most recommended heat pad out there, I'm thinking of making myself a couple wooden reptile cages and I wanted to have heat pads in them. There is going to be light in the cages but they won't be basking lights, just normal fluorescent bulbs cause they don't produce a lot of heat. Also if you guys have some tips in making wooden reptile cages, go ahead, I've never done wooden cages before so advises and tips are very much appreciated.

formica · 09-23-13, 09:52 AM

I've used all sorts of heat mats and found little diffrence between any of them tbh, most of mine are Habistat, and some are still going strong 15 years later.

I used to use wood myself, but having discovered PVC, I wont be going back. As you arnt using heat lamps, i'd recomend you investigate PVC (PVCX I think you guys call it in the states) - you can work with it exactly the same way you would with wood, but its a little easier to work, and much lighter. The only thing to be cautious of is tempreture, it melts at 65C, but as long as you have a thermostat controlling the heat mat, and dont install incadescent lamps/ceramics, that wont be an issue

InsanityApe · 09-23-13, 01:06 PM

Cool thanks, I've need done anything like this before so I appreciate all of the advice and tips you guys have to offer, using PVC instead of wood, never thought of that I'll have to check it out. I've heard that when using a heat pad, some place like a Plexiglas cover on it so your snake or lizard won't dig down and come into contact with it. I know heat pads can be dialed for temperatures that won't hurt your reptile but is it still ok for the extra precaution or is it just a waste of time and money?

Mikoh4792 · 09-23-13, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by InsanityApe

Cool thanks, I've need done anything like this before so I appreciate all of the advice and tips you guys have to offer, using PVC instead of wood, never thought of that I'll have to check it out. I've heard that when using a heat pad, some place like a Plexiglas cover on it so your snake or lizard won't dig down and come into contact with it. I know heat pads can be dialed for temperatures that won't hurt your reptile but is it still ok for the extra precaution or is it just a waste of time and money?

Better to place the heat pad outside the enclosure anyways.

InsanityApe · 09-23-13, 01:48 PM

Yea but if I use plywood or PVC (Or both) would the heat still pass through the material or would I need to crank it up high for my reptiles to feel anything?

Mikoh4792 · 09-23-13, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by InsanityApe

Yea but if I use plywood or PVC (Or both) would the heat still pass through the material or would I need to crank it up high for my reptiles to feel anything?

For thick wood I could see it being a problem but I house all my snakes in PVC cages now. 1/2" thick walls, and it's a breeze to heat. I just set my thermostat to 94f and the hot spot reaches 90f.

InsanityApe · 09-23-13, 02:41 PM

Hmm, well I guess whatever material I use won't be real thick, I'll have to figure out some stuff, the idea I had for the cages would be that they would stack on each other, clamp/anchor them down so they act as a single cage unit. I might have to make some designs to fit the heat pads on the bottom without it bothering the cages (Example: making the cage un-even, the clamps don't attach, wires getting cut, the bottom cage getting heated as well even though it already has a heat pad making that cage even hotter.) Alright, the heat pad, I guess I can use whatever, I'll probably check Habistat out. I might make a small pocket on the bottom of the cage so the heat pad can be placed and then replaced without having to move the cage much. Thanks for the advice Mikoh4792

Mikoh4792 · 09-23-13, 03:53 PM

If you are going to clamp or anchor the cages together I can't help you out there as I have no experience with that.

However I stack all my cages on top of eachother and underneath each cage I put adhesive rubber feet in each corner that look like this

Which create 1/4" gaps between each cage and plenty of room for my ultratherm heat pads with thermostat probes on them.

Here you can see the gaps between the cages

marvelfreak · 09-23-13, 03:56 PM

One of the best heat pads out there comes from here. Ultratherm Heat Pads

One of the thing i love about these is they don't have a adhesive side like most. So they are safe to put in the cage. With my Black Bloods they are in a wooden cage so these work great. What i did was take a plastic tote cut a hole in the end and made a hide that i sit right over the heat pad. I have a piece of ceramic tile under each end to raise the hide up a bit so the heat pad can breath.

Mikoh4792 · 09-23-13, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marvelfreak

One of the best heat pads out there comes from here. Ultratherm Heat Pads

One of the thing i love about these is they don't have a adhesive side like most. So they are safe to put in the cage. With my Black Bloods they are in a wooden cage so these work great. What i did was take a plastic tote cut a hole in the end and made a hide that i sit right over the heat pad. I have a piece of ceramic tile under each end to raise the hide up a bit so the heat pad can breath.

I've thought about this but wouldn't fluids(urine,water...etc) still be able to leak into the crevices where the plug meets the pad?

InsanityApe · 09-23-13, 04:31 PM

I decided to place them under the tank, but I would make a pocket under the cage, the floor will be thicker but at least I'll be able to have a place to put the mat without it being disturbed.

LarryS · 09-23-13, 04:53 PM

Nice looking cages, setup and snake Mikoh.

Mikoh4792 · 09-23-13, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LarryS

Nice looking cages, setup and snake Mikoh.

ahah thanks, now I need to get my hands on some of yours!

LarryS · 09-23-13, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by InsanityApe

I decided to place them under the tank, but I would make a pocket under the cage, the floor will be thicker but at least I'll be able to have a place to put the mat without it being disturbed.

This sounds like a good plan. I've seen it done several different ways.

Quote:

ahah thanks, now I need to get my hands on some of yours!

That can be arranged!