| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| zippy10 |
Posted - 03/03/2011 : 12:27:21
Hi, I'm new here and don't have a corn yet but I have plans for the near future. Just a quick question about heat mats. I always thought that heat mats could not go inside the viv and so wooden vivs were inappropriate for corns as the mat would not work from the outside. I have read elsewhere on this forum that the mat can infact go inside under the substrate so long as it is controlled with a mat stat. Could anyone confirm this and explain briefly how to set up a wooden viv for a corn. I do have a spare 3 foot wooden viv but had thought I couldnt use it. Thanks |
| 17 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Invalid User |
Posted - 04/03/2011 : 07:36:24
quote:
Originally posted by ilovemypets1988
never ever join electrical cabling with just tape, as all it takes is a small miscalculation or slip and there you have it an electrical fire or worse, someone or something dead.
if you wish to cut and rejoin wires, use terminal connectors from any shop that sells tools (even poundland sells them).
i have actually seen the after effects of an electric shock as thats my specaility due to my father being a fully fledged electrician and doing whats been suggested is just plain stupid and dangerous.
sorry all if that seems abit harsh and going off the thread subject but playing with electrics is the same as playing with someones life
Um, possibly a bit Unnecessary seeing as it was already pointed out by lotabob!!
quote:
Originally posted by lotabob
quote:
Originally posted by CentricMalteser
if you have a wooden viv, the plug runs up the back on the inside, and you will find at the top ont he back 2 x semi circle cut outs, u put the wire through this (before putting the top on) and seal the remaineder space with aquarium sealant
other option is cut the plug half way, and then join it using insulation tape,
or wire it into a new plug,
the latter is the safest, but the first idea is best
Don't ever just use tape to connect wire together, you can buy connectors from B&Q but the best bet is to keep wires in tact from a to b and put a new plug on.
|
| ilovemypets1988 |
Posted - 04/03/2011 : 07:19:10
quote:
Originally posted by CentricMalteser
if you have a wooden viv, the plug runs up the back on the inside, and you will find at the top ont he back 2 x semi circle cut outs, u put the wire through this (before putting the top on) and seal the remaineder space with aquarium sealant
other option is cut the plug half way, and then join it using insulation tape,
or wire it into a new plug,
the latter is the safest, but the first idea is best
never ever join electrical cabling with just tape, as all it takes is a small miscalculation or slip and there you have it an electrical fire or worse, someone or something dead.
if you wish to cut and rejoin wires, use terminal connectors from any shop that sells tools (even poundland sells them).
i have actually seen the after effects of an electric shock as thats my specaility due to my father being a fully fledged electrician and doing whats been suggested is just plain stupid and dangerous.
sorry all if that seems abit harsh and going off the thread subject but playing with electrics is the same as playing with someones life |
| lucyloop |
Posted - 03/03/2011 : 22:41:44
quote:
Originally posted by lotabob
quote:
Originally posted by lucyloop
I blocked my wire holes with a shaved down piece of wine cork lightly glued into place. That way if I need to put any other item with wires in then I can easily do this. Not sure how easy it would be with sealed in wires etc.
Do you have a lot of wine cork knocking about? lol
welll...there is a fair bit tbh!  |
| lotabob |
Posted - 03/03/2011 : 22:14:06
quote:
Originally posted by lucyloop
I blocked my wire holes with a shaved down piece of wine cork lightly glued into place. That way if I need to put any other item with wires in then I can easily do this. Not sure how easy it would be with sealed in wires etc.
Do you have a lot of wine cork knocking about? lol |
| lucyloop |
Posted - 03/03/2011 : 22:06:44
I blocked my wire holes with a shaved down piece of wine cork lightly glued into place. That way if I need to put any other item with wires in then I can easily do this. Not sure how easy it would be with sealed in wires etc. |
| lotabob |
Posted - 03/03/2011 : 19:10:35
quote:
Originally posted by CentricMalteser
if you have a wooden viv, the plug runs up the back on the inside, and you will find at the top ont he back 2 x semi circle cut outs, u put the wire through this (before putting the top on) and seal the remaineder space with aquarium sealant
other option is cut the plug half way, and then join it using insulation tape,
or wire it into a new plug,
the latter is the safest, but the first idea is best
Don't ever just use tape to connect wire together, you can buy connectors from B&Q but the best bet is to keep wires in tact from a to b and put a new plug on.
|
| Sta~ple |
Posted - 03/03/2011 : 19:01:37
quote:
Originally posted by Louise32
quote:
Originally posted by CentricMalteser
if you have a wooden viv, the plug runs up the back on the inside, and you will find at the top ont he back 2 x semi circle cut outs, u put the wire through this (before putting the top on) and seal the remaineder space with aquarium sealant
I think you can turn that back bit upside down so the holes are at the bottom. Saves having the wires running up the back of the viv.
Also don't forget to seal the viv before you use it.
My Gosh I will actually have to try that Lou *_* I wish I thought of that! Just will have to seal up the cable holes super duper so substrate doesn't fall out of the holes |
| Invalid User |
Posted - 03/03/2011 : 18:45:24
quote:
Originally posted by CentricMalteser
if you have a wooden viv, the plug runs up the back on the inside, and you will find at the top ont he back 2 x semi circle cut outs, u put the wire through this (before putting the top on) and seal the remaineder space with aquarium sealant
I think you can turn that back bit upside down so the holes are at the bottom. Saves having the wires running up the back of the viv.
Also don't forget to seal the viv before you use it. |
| matty18714 |
Posted - 03/03/2011 : 18:33:47
Unfortunately a lot of new heat mats have molded plugs on them, so when you cut the plug off, you cant reuse the same one. |
| Invalid User |
Posted - 03/03/2011 : 18:26:51
I don't have a viv but I think you can put the mat in before you put the lid on when you assemble it. Or just take the plug off, push wire through hole then pop plug back on. :) |
| zippy10 |
Posted - 03/03/2011 : 18:24:00
Thanks for the replies everyone. I know this sounds like a stupid question but how do you get the plug from the heatmat to the outside to plug in?  |
| lotabob |
Posted - 03/03/2011 : 18:12:47
quote:
Originally posted by Sta~ple
Think of a heatmat as a hot water bottle. Won't warm the room but if you snuggle it, you will be warm.
Brilliant! |
| matty18714 |
Posted - 03/03/2011 : 17:50:37
quote:
Originally posted by thistle
pin the clear edges of the mat down using drawing pins (it was someone on this forum who suggested this and I thought it was a great idea).
Its a great idea until one gets lose, comes out, and the snake falls on it. |
| thistle |
Posted - 03/03/2011 : 17:46:08
The heat mat should be on the floor in the inside of the viv.
If you find the snake goes under the mat you can use aquarium sealant to stick it down or even pin the clear edges of the mat down using drawing pins (it was someone on this forum who suggested this and I thought it was a great idea). |
| Sta~ple |
Posted - 03/03/2011 : 17:02:28
No it is not. Heatmats work to heat by contact, not air. Think of a heatmat as a hot water bottle. Won't warm the room but if you snuggle it, you will be warm. |
| Stumpy |
Posted - 03/03/2011 : 16:34:20
it is also possible to place the heat mat on the side of the viv( they work via infrared and radiate heat. |
| HannahB |
Posted - 03/03/2011 : 13:00:23
take one wooden viv, place heatmat inside so it covers around 1/3 - 1/2 the floor space on one side, make sure thermostat and thermometer probes are on the mat (can be weighed down by a hide or tied together) and that they are both working, put a super light covering of substrate over the heatmat and build it up to around an inch on the cooler side (aspen or beech chips are good), put a few hides in and some vines/logs etc to make it comfier and cosy and there you go!
oh and dont forget the water bowl 
the heatmats have a protective4 covering over them so as long as the viv is kept relatively clean and any spills/poops etc are cleaned up quickly there shouldn't be any issues with them |
