essential tool?

beckdg · #1 (**permalink**) 01-25-2009, 09:22 PM

so i had a hard time re attaching a heat mat i had saved stuck to some wax paper some years ago. i had done the research as far as other heating options. i had researched what could be used to re apply it. i had even had discussions on this forum as to what foil tape was and how it could be utilized in a viv. months went by and never thought of it when i was out. today i went to walmart and one item on my list was duck tape. got it, walked away and thought doh homer... get it while you're here. here is what i got (right next to the duck tape in the paint section).

there are many uses for this stuff when it comes to vivariums. it can be used as a reflective material for lighting purposes, anywhere you need adhesive but heat may be an issue (as long as it doesn't get wet or exposed directly to your critters), and most commonly to preserve/attach a uth correctly so dust doesn't ruin the bond/adhesive over years. there was some skepticism from our local moderator and understandably so considering she is accustomed to commercial foil tape which is thick enough to cut your finger off and the adhesive is even thicker making it stink like holy h***.

i just happened to need some and remembered an old thread. i put a couple strips in one of my clamp lamps with a 100 watt ceramic heater "overnight" (while i took a nap[about 3 1/2 hours]) and things came out fine. no staining/burning and no smell. here is another photo that shows the tape and backing a little clearer.

how much does it cost you say? well it was under 7$ b4 tax. sorry no exact quote (it wasn't the only thing i bought). once you own a uth... the tape pays for itself imo.

Chu'Wuti · #2 (**permalink**) 01-25-2009, 11:10 PM

The reflective surface doesn't prevent or reduce heat transfer? We considered using it this past summer but were afraid it would be a problem with heat transfer, so we used silicone sealer instead.

I'll be interested to hear how your temps go and how well it holds over the long term.

beckdg · #3 (**permalink**) 01-25-2009, 11:36 PM

oh, it works well! i just want to test it against something hotter than a light bulb for smell, and reflectivity. if it burns with a ceramic heater in a short length of time, i will not suggest it for more than say a 40-60 watt incandescent as in the long run reflectivity may dull. i know it works for fluorescent bulbs regular and uvb. for regular light studies have shown that standard white killz reflects better than any other surface (from what i hear). in a pinch though any mirror like surface will reflect either light well and metal reflects uvb best (also from what i hear). it will not make the uvb rays travel any further, it will make them stronger which is very dangerous unless you are planning say an egg crate and screen diffuser which should help put you right about on par!

beckdg · #4 (**permalink**) 01-26-2009, 01:46 PM

just wanted to make things a little clearer. this is my experiment with foil tape after 24hrs:

i didn't want to burn myself so i did not put it all the way up, but i left some bent towards the heat emitter to test it closer and it seems fine!

here is how it would be applied to a uth:

my uth was not sticking, but it did have adhesive. i tried brushing off debris... no dice. i tried heating it up... no dice. commonly with these types of adhesives a good wash with dish soap and warm water brings the adhesive back to life. i tried it and the adhesive is twice as strong but still no dice. this is really my fault for not using tape on the first tank this was on. the edges curled and lifted up with heat over time. this made it real easy to take off, but dust an debris collected over time and made it impossible to re-apply to a new surface without some help. needless to say problem solved.

Chu'Wuti · #5 (**permalink**) 01-26-2009, 05:19 PM

Great! It's always nice to find solutions!

froggsong · #6 (**permalink**) 01-26-2009, 06:26 PM

LMAO @ :

Quote:

Originally Posted by beckdg

There was some skepticism from our local moderator and understandably so considering she is accustomed to commercial foil tape which is thick enough to cut your finger off and the adhesive is even thicker making it stink like holy h***.

Aren't you a funny one???

That stuff is DEFINITELY thinner than the stuff my step dad uses (well, used, he got laid off). I'm glad you did the test and shared the results. Now I have another supply at my disposal.

So, you said that you UTH was easy to peel off because the adhesive failed. Do you know of a way to get it off without ruining it when the adhesive is still going strong? I think I'll need to use the one on the BP tank when I build the new tank, and I don't want to destroy it trying to get it off.

lowcountryfire · #7 (**permalink**) 01-26-2009, 07:53 PM

Really good post! I am going to use it with my UVB light as soon as I can get to lowes or wally world...

beckdg · #8 (**permalink**) 01-26-2009, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by froggsong

LMAO @ :

Aren't you a funny one???

That stuff is DEFINITELY thinner than the stuff my step dad uses (well, used, he got laid off). I'm glad you did the test and shared the results. Now I have another supply at my disposal.

So, you said that you UTH was easy to peel off because the adhesive failed. Do you know of a way to get it off without ruining it when the adhesive is still going strong? I think I'll need to use the one on the BP tank when I build the new tank, and I don't want to destroy it trying to get it off.

a smooth fresh scraper and some dish soap usually helps. just don't put the scraper through your uth and keep it lubed w/dish soap while you pull with your other hand. when you are done... rinse it off in the sink, put glue side down on wax paper... working water bubbles out from center if necessary. then dry it off with a towel.

OH, and yes, i am a funny one. hehehe

EDIT: thank you lowcountry.