| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
Nicola
Egg
United Kingdom
67 Posts |
 Posted - 18/01/2013 : 23:40:43
|
As Cecil is currently housed in a plastic box the mat is underneath, but he is having an upgrade soon into a vivarium. I understand the mat needs to go inside but I don't want him to have direct contact with the mat... He has a stat but I just want to be extra careful. Would Lino be appropriate to place on the mat as his main flooring? Or would this just block the heat? If its no good, is there anything else I could use? I always use kitchen towel to line his house but he likes to hide under there when he's in blue so I'd still like to keep a layer too if it doesn't make a difference.
Thanks,
Nic x |
0.0.1 California Kingsnake. Cecil
0.1.0 Spider Royal Python. Lexi
|
|
|
deadmansfinger
Moderator
United Kingdom
597 Posts |
Posted - 19/01/2013 : 00:10:37
|
| The mat needs to go inside the viv. I have saw people using lino ontop of a heatmat inside a viv. I use RUBS with heatmats outside them so don't do it myself but sure others will come along and let you know what they do. |
1.0 Milksnake
3.3 Kingsnakes
1.1 Royal Python
1.2 Cornsnakes
 |
 |
|
|
Auld Baldy
Hatchling
United Kingdom
153 Posts |
Posted - 19/01/2013 : 04:10:14
|
I have 7 wooden vivs, all with the heatmat inside and only covered with a thin layer of either aspen or beech chips. As long as you have the mat properly regulated with a thermostat then there is no need for anything else covering the mat. The temperature will not get high enough to cause any damage. In fact it is possible to cause a potential problem if you use some sort of lino as an insulator. The temperature under the lino could be raised unnecessarily to get the required temperature on the topside. If the snake gets under the lino (and it will) then the potential for a burn is increased.
All my lot at one point or other ends up clearing the chips and lying on the bare mat, usually under the hide, and has never caused a problem. |
0.0.1 MBK : Fester
0.0.1 Florida King : Rattler (Rattle & Hum)
0.0.1 Californian King : Diablo Diego
1.0.0 Coastal Carpet Python : Vambo
0.0.1 Grey Rat Snake : Mirkey
0.0.3 Corn Snakes : Taggart, Woody & Blaze
0.2.0 Tarantulas : New River Red Rump. Red Chile Rose |
|
|
|
Nicola
Egg
United Kingdom
67 Posts |
Posted - 20/01/2013 : 10:23:18
|
Thank you for your advice, I knew Id seen it being used before too but I won't bother now. I have always used kitchen paper towel so will prob just stick with this.
I always use a stat and digitel thermometer but the temps have dipped lower again all of a sudden so I've had to turn it up to the top and it's still not warm enough, roughly around 25-26C (having to fan heat the room again) I'm not sure if it just because the weather is colder but I suppose I'm now worried it will suddenly go back up and too heigh for him...
But I always check and record it well so I'll just be extra careful with him having direct contact. I expect it may be better when it's not having to go through the plastic box he's currently in anyway? I'll be able to monitor it before moving him over too.
I'll let you know how the move goes.
Thanks very much guys :)
X |
0.0.1 California Kingsnake. Cecil
0.1.0 Spider Royal Python. Lexi
|
|
|
|
Auld Baldy
Hatchling
United Kingdom
153 Posts |
Posted - 20/01/2013 : 17:09:29
|
If the room gets so cold, try and get hold of a polystyrene box and place the faun/box inside. I pick them up from the local pet shop for free as they are usually trashed. They are used for tropical fish deliveries.
I have one for my tarantulas with the box on its side with open end to the front. If it gets too cold I just pop the lid on. It is safe enough to use with the statted mat inside.
The standard box is 19x14x14 (inches) so should big enough for your faun and a lot cheaper than using a fan heater to warm up the whole room.  |
0.0.1 MBK : Fester
0.0.1 Florida King : Rattler (Rattle & Hum)
0.0.1 Californian King : Diablo Diego
1.0.0 Coastal Carpet Python : Vambo
0.0.1 Grey Rat Snake : Mirkey
0.0.3 Corn Snakes : Taggart, Woody & Blaze
0.2.0 Tarantulas : New River Red Rump. Red Chile Rose |
|
|
|
Nicola
Egg
United Kingdom
67 Posts |
Posted - 21/01/2013 : 22:00:36
|
Thanks Auld Baldy. So the polystyrene is outside and the rub/plastic Box is in it with the front open to see him unless I feel It's cold and we need the lid in? Just to make sure... Cos I had to re read it a few times to get what u ment! Lol.
Hopefully the stuff will come for the Viv this week and It won't be quite so cold in there. :) can't wait to move him in! X x |
0.0.1 California Kingsnake. Cecil
0.1.0 Spider Royal Python. Lexi
|
|
|
|
Auld Baldy
Hatchling
United Kingdom
153 Posts |
Posted - 21/01/2013 : 22:32:56
|
Every picture tells a story.  This is for my two T's and the crickets.
Heat mat lead (statted of course) can be either poked through the side or just make a small notch on the edge of the box. Pop the lid on at night or when room is cold. 
 |
0.0.1 MBK : Fester
0.0.1 Florida King : Rattler (Rattle & Hum)
0.0.1 Californian King : Diablo Diego
1.0.0 Coastal Carpet Python : Vambo
0.0.1 Grey Rat Snake : Mirkey
0.0.3 Corn Snakes : Taggart, Woody & Blaze
0.2.0 Tarantulas : New River Red Rump. Red Chile Rose |
|
|
|
Nicola
Egg
United Kingdom
67 Posts |
Posted - 21/01/2013 : 22:48:23
|
Awe that's brill thanks. I'll go n have a look for a couple of these then... Getting my spider royal this weekend so she may need one even if cecil doesn't with the move. :D
Wouldn't mind one for myself too with how cold it is!!!! Haha! X x |
0.0.1 California Kingsnake. Cecil
0.1.0 Spider Royal Python. Lexi
|
|
|
|
Auld Baldy
Hatchling
United Kingdom
153 Posts |
Posted - 21/01/2013 : 23:03:50
|
I've been greasing my joints so that I can fold myself up and move in with Vambo for the cold spell. I refuse to put the central heating on and don't care if I look like the Michelin Man with a balaclava and wooly-toorie bunnet on.   |
0.0.1 MBK : Fester
0.0.1 Florida King : Rattler (Rattle & Hum)
0.0.1 Californian King : Diablo Diego
1.0.0 Coastal Carpet Python : Vambo
0.0.1 Grey Rat Snake : Mirkey
0.0.3 Corn Snakes : Taggart, Woody & Blaze
0.2.0 Tarantulas : New River Red Rump. Red Chile Rose |
|
|
|
Nicola
Egg
United Kingdom
67 Posts |
Posted - 21/01/2013 : 23:09:33
|
Hahaha!!!! That's a genius idea... I might follow suit n move in with Cecil. I actually think I would fit in a 3ft Viv too. Wonder if he would mind!
I'm favouring the crazy hats this year, can't take the cold!
And If I find a people sized polystyrene box I'll send one over to u so u can hibernate for the rest of the winter! :D |
0.0.1 California Kingsnake. Cecil
0.1.0 Spider Royal Python. Lexi
|
|
|
|
golgarth
Snake Mite
23 Posts |
Posted - 22/01/2013 : 20:38:10
|
I've used a bit of slate tile ontop of the mat before, but in reality all you need to do is zip tie the stat to the mat so it doesn't move off the mat and your golden :-)
Also, don't worry too much about the temps dipping this time of year, they would naturally cool this time of year anyways (my females are totally off heat for the winter) |
|
|
|
Nicola
Egg
United Kingdom
67 Posts |
Posted - 23/01/2013 : 21:16:59
|
Awe thanks, that's good to know about temps... I suppose it's just natural to them too
What do you mean zip tie? Like a bag tie?
X |
0.0.1 California Kingsnake. Cecil
0.1.0 Spider Royal Python. Lexi
|
|
|
|
golgarth
Snake Mite
23 Posts |
Posted - 28/01/2013 : 11:46:59
|
hmm, how to describe a zip tie....... err, also called a cable tie?
here is a pic:
 |
|
|
|
Nicola
Egg
United Kingdom
67 Posts |
Posted - 29/01/2013 : 20:37:49
|
| Ah cool. I can nick one of these from work!!! Would u cut it so there's not loads of it or would that be sharp? X |
0.0.1 California Kingsnake. Cecil
0.1.0 Spider Royal Python. Lexi
|
|
|
|
golgarth
Snake Mite
23 Posts |
Posted - 29/01/2013 : 22:38:02
|
| always try and file the end so it isn't like a mini razor :-) |
|
|
| |
Topic |
|
Mat in the Viv question...
