Repti Heat Cable

[beardsmith]

I have been using Repti Heat Cable to heat my roach bin. It seems to work, keeping the bin warm and humid. It does not require a thermostat, and can be routed around inside the bin any way you want, taped down or loose. Mine is is just loosely coiled on one end of the bin.

I have not seen any info from other roach farmers on whether this is a good heating option or not, but so far, I am very pleased with it.

 

[diggerdrake]

sounds like it is working for you well but I would rather have anything electrical off the bottom or outside the bin. you may want to look at this http://www.beardeddragon.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=76&t=92865

 

[beardsmith]

Thanks - that was a very informative link. I think I will do some modifying.

 

[BestRoach]

You route it on the inside of the bin? In contact with the roaches?

Many people use heat cable with great success.

 

[beardsmith]

You route it on the inside of the bin? In contact with the roaches?

Many people use heat cable with great success.

Yes, It is just coiled on the bottom of the bin. It is insulated, and since they don't chew things like that, I assumed it shouldn't hurt anything. It gets warm, but not hot to the touch, so I don't think it will injure them.

 

[BestRoach]

Can they climb it?

I personally would be a tad bit nervous with that setup, but it seems to be working for you! Heat cable is much safer than many heatpads...so thats a good thing. I wish you luck!

 

[Ihaggerty1313]

I gotta say. That heat cable is pretty cool. I like that set up in that link further up this thread. You can disperse the heat even farther on the metal pads. I'm an electrician by trade and we use what's called "heat tape". It's used in the same manner but wrapped around pipes to keep them from freezing in outside applications or in freezers and coolers. However it's 120v and not recommended for anything but in the construction fields. I like this heat cable though!

-Ian

 

[BestRoach]

flexwatt heat tape is very common in the reptile industry. Several roach breeders I know use it with great success on their colonies.

 

[Ihaggerty1313]

flexwatt heat tape is very common in the reptile industry. Several roach breeders I know use it with great success on their colonies.

Yeah I use low voltage flexwatt w/ all my RTB's in their Boaphiles. Nothing beats it. Low Voltage, easily maintained and easily controlled.

-Ian

 

[beardsmith]

Initially, I was going to put the cable on the outside, but according to the the box and what I have seen on reptile supply websites they are safe for use inside. Even so, I think I will look into a setup something like the setup in the above link.

Quotes from sales websites:

"Achieve the proper temperature gradients in your terrarium with Repti Heat Cable. This heat source is perfect for underneath or inside terrariums, wrapped around branches or other favorite basking spots. The Repti Heat Cable is water resistant and can be used in high humidity terrariums, though not submerged. An efficient, functional way to heat multiple tanks, as well. The Repti Heat Cable is the easy way to provide the optimum temperature for all your terrarium applications."

"Zoo Med Repti Heat Cable allows you to put the heat right where you need it. Wrap it around branches or cage furniture! Use it underneath the tank or in breeder racks!"

 

[h0ndap0w3r]

I use some heat cable, strapped to a metal sheet, controled by a bigapple herp power thermostat. My roach container is also lined on the outside with styrofoam house insulation which keeps my container temps around 100 on the bottom, 90 at the top. I could raise it up some more, but would rather not.