Still trying to decide which snake...

[Conner]

I really like this guys cage build:

http://www.youtube.com/user/HuntsmanExotics#p/a/u/0/SnIBIeoHjv4

Bu in this type of setup, would you use a RHP for heating? Or could you put heat tape/rope on the ceiling with reflective product above it?

 

[Bighurt]

I really like this guys cage build:

http://www.youtube.com/user/HuntsmanExotics#p/a/u/0/SnIBIeoHjv4

Bu in this type of setup, would you use a RHP for heating? Or could you put heat tape/rope on the ceiling with reflective product above it?

RHP is the a choice heat tape does a poor job of actually reflecting heat. Or transmitting heat through the air, it is contact associated heat.

Another option I failed to mention are Kane heat pats, similar to a pig blanket. They are designed for use within the enclosure, and are rated for direct animal contact. They would still require a thermostat though, for best performance.

 

[gigas12]

Hi,Id go for a ball python!

 

[Gregg Madden]

OK, but how are these options not creating the "Oven" you refer to in your first post?

I am going to take a guess and say you are not really a reptile keeper??? LOL...

When heating up bins we generally use flex watt heat tape... The heat is controled by a proper thermostat or in some cases, a rheostat... These keep the heat tape from getting too hot... In general the hot side temps should range in the lower to upper 90's depending on the species you are keeping... Sometimes lower, sometimes higher...

Anyway, the heat tape is only in the back of the bin... The front of the bin will be cooler than the back... This creates a thermogradient therefore not making an "oven" type environment...

 

[Brooklynella]

I am going to take a guess and say you are not really a reptile keeper??? LOL...

When heating up bins we generally use flex watt heat tape... The heat is controled by a proper thermostat or in some cases, a rheostat... These keep the heat tape from getting too hot... In general the hot side temps should range in the lower to upper 90's depending on the species you are keeping... Sometimes lower, sometimes higher...

Anyway, the heat tape is only in the back of the bin... The front of the bin will be cooler than the back... This creates a thermogradient therefore not making an "oven" type environment...

It's not possible, around here anyway, to get a tub to 90 degrees in the winter with heat tape. It's just not possible. An inch above the tape and the air will be room temp. Heat tape, rope, UTH's, etc don't heat the air.
The reaon I asked this was because it was mentioned aquariums may not be the best enclosure to keep snakes in.
However, as the discussion progressed I realized I was thinking from a tub perspective and my thoughts relate back to this thread:
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=283571
So when it was mentioned there are better alternatives to glass and the oven comment was made, I had trouble understanding how throwing a heat lamp/emitter on a glass alternate was any different than than just using a fish tank.

You are offering the use of heat tape/rope as a solution to the oven dilema. I think the oven term stems from the belief that in order to keep temps up in a glass tank, you need to pour down tons of heat, most of which is escaping because glass is such a poor insulator, not thermogradient as you indicated.

Yes, I keep reptiles.

 

[EricIvins]

It's not possible, around here anyway, to get a tub to 90 degrees in the winter with heat tape. It's just not possible. An inch above the tape and the air will be room temp. Heat tape, rope, UTH's, etc don't heat the air.
The reaon I asked this was because it was mentioned aquariums may not be the best enclosure to keep snakes in.
However, as the discussion progressed I realized I was thinking from a tub perspective and my thoughts relate back to this thread:
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=283571
So when it was mentioned there are better alternatives to glass and the oven comment was made, I had trouble understanding how throwing a heat lamp/emitter on a glass alternate was any different than than just using a fish tank.

You are offering the use of heat tape/rope as a solution to the oven dilema. I think the oven term stems from the belief that in order to keep temps up in a glass tank, you need to pour down tons of heat, most of which is escaping because glass is such a poor insulator, not thermogradient as you indicated.

Yes, I keep reptiles.

Nothing is ever impossible..............

 

[Brooklynella]

Nothing is ever impossible..............

OK, but some things are not practical to do.

 

[Bighurt]

It's not possible, around here anyway, to get a tub to 90 degrees in the winter with heat tape. It's just not possible. An inch above the tape and the air will be room temp. Heat tape, rope, UTH's, etc don't heat the air.

It is currently -20°F outside right now.

My house has its furnace at 70°F.

Right now my Reptile room's heater is 78°F.

Right now my ARS racks all tubs all on heat tape are maintaining a 92°F basking spot the air in the cage is 85°F.

It is possible to heat a tub to 90°F, you can influence air temps within an enclosure. If an electric oven can bake a cake, heat tape can heat an enclosure, you just need to adjust the parameters a bit to allow it to do so.

The difference is getting thermodynamics and humid air to work in your favor. With the proper setup an enclosure can be humid and warm without being an oven. You just need to find the way to do so.

Cheers