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best way to heat melamine?

MattK

MattK

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Im switching my large snakes over to melamine caging soon and I was wondering what the best heat source is for them. Would flexwatt be able to generate enough heat through that thick of material? The cages are going to be 6x2 and 8x2. Housing burms and retics ranging from 8ft-15ft. I hear the undertank heat pads from reptile basics are safe to use in the cage because of the low watts. Is this true?
 
If you are gonna use any type of bottom heat, do not let the snakes come in direct contact. I use flexwatt in the cage and cover it with a floor tile
 
I use 2x2 pig blankets in mine.They are a little pricey,but you can find them used from time to time.They are connected to a dimmer and checked with a temp gun.There real easy to clean.
 
There isn't a risk of fire with the flexwatt cover by tile? Do you just culk the tile down over it to keep urine and spilled water from getting to the flexwatt?
 
for ceramic to catch on fire it needs to be heated to over 850 degrees, so no it will not catch on fire. it would be like heating a rock or the ground outside.
 
yes, you can caulk it down, but if you have your connections and edges covered correctly you should have no trouble with spillage. What i do is put it between 2 pieces of tile.and glue them together.
 
flexwatt needs exposure to air to operate properly (per manufacturer specs btw)

The flexwatt itself will get hot enough to start the fire, then your melamine will catch fire next once the fire is going.

I would use a light bulb or RHP.
 
suzuki4life said:
flexwatt needs exposure to air to operate properly (per manufacturer specs btw)

The flexwatt itself will get hot enough to start the fire, then your melamine will catch fire next once the fire is going.

I would use a light bulb or RHP.
Click to expand...

I thought flexwatt was used to heat flooring?
 
Focal X said:
I thought flexwatt was used to heat flooring?
Click to expand...

Exactly. Flexwatt, in my opionion does not need any air circulation if it is controlled by a thermostat. In fact, when air is present, flexwatt does not work properly. You ever heat up a piece of flexwatt and then lift it up and feel how quickly it cools? I believe the instances where flexwatt has shorted out has been due to installation errors, defective product, moisture intrusion, running too high of temperature constantly or thermostat failure. It might not hurt to allow a little air to contact flexwatt, but I don't think its necessary.
 
redhood23 said:
isn't it hard to reuse the flexwatt if it is under the linoleum? and doesn't the flexwatt melt the linoleum glue?
Click to expand...

I have been monitoring the flexwatt for the past 3 years of use, none have shown hot spots, solder breaks, water contamination or melting of linoleum. ALL flex is ran by a Helix at a temp no greater than 95 F. I have been constantly checking glue points and condition of linoleum with no issues found. The flex is glued to the under lying wood with just a few spots of glue, which gives me a small space under flexwatt and then aluminum tape is used around outer edges of flexwatt. The only glue I have seen NOT hold with flexwatt use is hot glue. The one cage I have used hot glue to secure linoleum did have issues, as the hot glue was not strong enough. The cages I have used a type of silicone worked excellent.
 
mxracer4life said:
There are just as many people out there stating that flex watt should not be covered or sealed and others that state it requires air. I have always covered my flex watt with no problems.
Click to expand...

You realize you said the same thing twice right?

I personally think the issue is that moisture gets in and causes a short. It can get old and brittle and burn on its own like regular wiring does. I personally feel sealing it off out of sight is a super bad idea because it will burn over time and become a fire ball if not caught.
 
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