Heat mats

[Rainfrog]

I just got an awesome display case to turn into a home for my Ball Python! it is between 5' and 6' long by 2' deep and 2' tall wood sides bottom and back sliding glass fronts and 1/2 glass 1/2 wood top. I have only used Under Tank Heaters before. What is a good heat mat to use? I will be covering the inside with lenolium tile and will use reptile carpet as my ground cover. any sugestions?

[Layna]

Hi-

I'd personally stay away from the reptile carpet. it gets soiled quickly, you'll need to change it out often, it hard to clean, the fibers could be injested. But if you want to go for it, just cut two or three pieces to fit and then change one out as you clean. I'd personally stick with aspen or coconut fibers such a bed a beast. As for a heatmat, zoomeds makes some, you could also try flexwatt and put the lenolium over there. I'd make it waterproof and also have it controled theromostat or rheostat. You can try places like Big Apple Herp (for more ideas or brands of heat mats, i believe they carry one called viper or something along those lines.) Best of luck do keep us updated!

[Rainfrog]

I already use reptile carpet and am pretty happy with it. my snake has no claws to get stuck in it and i "dangle feed" him so no worry about his teeth. I have found it cleans easily enough and I keep several clean dry changes at the ready. I keep it cut in smallish sections so I can easily change out soild spots. Ive heard some negative things about flexwatt, and am hesitant to use it. if it does not work I cant afford to just rip the lenolium up and redo the tank

[tikichick]

I've heard from others that heat tape works better than heat cable. Not sure what flexwatt is. I use aspen shavings for my bp, but I put a section of newspaper in the tank for feeding. I've used reptile carpet with a young beardie and liked it a lot. I think it's one of the safer substrates and didn't have any loose fibers or threads hanging around. I would guess if a piece was really worn, it could become an issue, but that would just indicate it's time for a new piece of carpet.

What is the difference in performance between heat mats and uth's? I haven't had the need for either until this year. I'm in TX, so it's just now starting to get cold and I need to get one or the other set up this week. Or buy stock in red light bulbs, lol.

[Rainfrog]

UTH is a an abreviation for Under Tank Heater. they are the ones you stick to the underside of a glass tank. Heat mats are like heat pads for herps and can go inside a cage or tank.