| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| harry Cornelius |
Posted - 31/12/2012 : 13:45:53
In the next few months I'm going to be going to a 3ft wooden viv, guy in the shop said not to use a mat, i need a bulb but the general feel I'm getting from this forum is that mats are more widely used. I'd like people's opinions on the pros and cons for the two.
Id also appreciate knowing exactly what kit will be needed, brands would help. Cheers |
| 18 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| jamesogt |
Posted - 07/01/2013 : 03:11:16
Pulse Stat, digi thermometer, Ceramic bulb with guard and L.E.D's in mine.
Hot end keeps a constant 27.1 with the stat and thermometer at 'snake' level.
 |
| smokeysfc |
Posted - 05/01/2013 : 17:10:49
I use a mat and thermostat to heat my set up and a normal lightbulb with guard for light just remember to use a thermostat :) |
| rockroyal |
Posted - 05/01/2013 : 12:40:44
mat and stat for my corn.
corns don't get to thick in the body so using heat mats are fine but as always stat the mat |
| Moppet |
Posted - 01/01/2013 : 13:01:10
You're welcome  That sounds like a very sensible plan and I'm looking forward to seeing pics when you're done. |
| harry Cornelius |
Posted - 01/01/2013 : 08:14:14
quote:
Originally posted by Moppet
quote:
Originally posted by harry Cornelius
So what products are you using i.e. what size mat etc
I use a habistat pulse thermostat by choice (i do have a microclimate on/off stat too but I don't like the temperature variance it gives, although the snakes don't seem to mind). Pulse stats aren't necessary for a heat mat, I just prefer their temperature accuracy. They are more expensive than a simple on/off stat. I would recommend the Habistat on/off stat over the microclimate because they tend to have a lower temperature variance.
For my 3 ft wooden viv I use a 20watt pro rep heat mat, with stat probe elastic banded to the digital thermometer probe (I use the exoterra thermometers but just because they are most convenient for me to get hold of and I like their min/max temp function) placed on top of the mat and pinned down with the edge of a hide so that it can't be moved.
Hope this helped
The reason I use the brands I do is purely convenience (apart from the habistat stats, I like those) and heat mat wattage is related to size normally. A heat mat should cover 1/3 to 1/2 of a viv's floorspace so choose the correct size for your viv
thanks for the advice buddy really helpful as I said I'm going to be setting this viv up over the next few months so as not to feel the pinch in the pocket so much. Can't wait to get going now though, think it'll look fantastic when complete. I'll be sure to get some pics up |
| Moppet |
Posted - 01/01/2013 : 03:47:15
quote:
Originally posted by harry Cornelius
So what products are you using i.e. what size mat etc
I use a habistat pulse thermostat by choice (i do have a microclimate on/off stat too but I don't like the temperature variance it gives, although the snakes don't seem to mind). Pulse stats aren't necessary for a heat mat, I just prefer their temperature accuracy. They are more expensive than a simple on/off stat. I would recommend the Habistat on/off stat over the microclimate because they tend to have a lower temperature variance.
For my 3 ft wooden viv I use a 20watt pro rep heat mat, with stat probe elastic banded to the digital thermometer probe (I use the exoterra thermometers but just because they are most convenient for me to get hold of and I like their min/max temp function) placed on top of the mat and pinned down with the edge of a hide so that it can't be moved.
Hope this helped
The reason I use the brands I do is purely convenience (apart from the habistat stats, I like those) and heat mat wattage is related to size normally. A heat mat should cover 1/3 to 1/2 of a viv's floorspace so choose the correct size for your viv
|
| Isoldael |
Posted - 01/01/2013 : 02:53:50
I use a bulb for one of my vivs and mats for the rest. I've seen no significant differences in how the snakes "like" it. During the night, the bulb goes off but the ambient temp here is always around 21 degrees (which is about the same as the night temps in say, Carolina). Doesn't seem to bother them at all. The mats seem to work fine too except that the snakes seem to like to poo on them... xD |
| Donnie |
Posted - 31/12/2012 : 20:19:29
quote:
Originally posted by harry Cornelius
quote:
Originally posted by Welshlamb
Mats are the way to go. IMO bulbs (including the bulb cages) make the vivarium look very unnatural (this is my opinion of course). Plus as pointed out above you may also have problems when turning The bulb off maintaining correct temps throughout the night.
LEDs are cheap to run, give off good light and minimal heat. Also in general heat mats are cheaper to run.
Just my opinion.
I've spent the day reading and feel I'm swaying towards the heat mat but what size should i use for viv of 36x18x18 ??
the mat needs to cover anywhere between 1/3 to 1/2 of the floor space of the viv. Lots of manufactures do slightly different sizes so you are best looking and picking what is best for you and your price range. |
| herriotfan |
Posted - 31/12/2012 : 19:26:04
I use light bulbs with a dimming stat for my vivs and heat mats with mat stats for my rubs. I just find it easier that way. |
| Jayclk |
Posted - 31/12/2012 : 18:59:07
i run heats mats all the way much easier with £25.00 set of 4 leds from ebay good light on timer http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/261121508112?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649
 |
| harry Cornelius |
Posted - 31/12/2012 : 18:56:52
quote:
Originally posted by Welshlamb
Mats are the way to go. IMO bulbs (including the bulb cages) make the vivarium look very unnatural (this is my opinion of course). Plus as pointed out above you may also have problems when turning The bulb off maintaining correct temps throughout the night.
LEDs are cheap to run, give off good light and minimal heat. Also in general heat mats are cheaper to run.
Just my opinion.
I've spent the day reading and feel I'm swaying towards the heat mat but what size should i use for viv of 36x18x18 ?? |
| Welshlamb |
Posted - 31/12/2012 : 18:13:37
Mats are the way to go. IMO bulbs (including the bulb cages) make the vivarium look very unnatural (this is my opinion of course). Plus as pointed out above you may also have problems when turning The bulb off maintaining correct temps throughout the night.
LEDs are cheap to run, give off good light and minimal heat. Also in general heat mats are cheaper to run.
Just my opinion. |
| Donnie |
Posted - 31/12/2012 : 18:05:54
I use mats for my corns as this is more than suitable for them and the cool end (ambient) temp is not as critical for them as it is for other species. For my carpets I use ceramics and they are defiantly more costly to set up and run, so I would go down the mat route if I was you based on cost alone. |
| viraleye |
Posted - 31/12/2012 : 17:15:52
I think there is often a lot of confusion with mats as when you use a faun or rub the mast goes on the outside. When using a wooden viv the may goes on the inside.
I've looked at using a bulb but my preference is a statted mat with LED lights for viewing. |
| harry Cornelius |
Posted - 31/12/2012 : 15:18:59
So what products are you using i.e. what size mat etc |
| eeji |
Posted - 31/12/2012 : 15:16:57
light bulbs are useless as a heat source. What do you do at night time? Do you leave the light on so the snake doesn't get a day/night cycle because its light 24/7 or do you switch the light off leaving temperatures potentially too cold?
Heat bulbs (ceramic ones) are a good source but will need heat resistant cable and adequate guarding and as G says above definitely a thermostat (these things get HOT), either a dimmer or a pulse.
Mats too are fine inside a wooden viv, the stat needed for these are either mat stat (on/off) or pulse stat (don't use a dimmer with a mat).
The stat probes for either method will need securing properly somehow to prevent them from being knocked away from the heat source which will render the stat useless until its repositioned. |
| Moppet |
Posted - 31/12/2012 : 15:15:15
As gmac said, it is really personal preference as to which you use. I prefer mats because I don't have the worries of a cage (and if the cage doesn't fit quite right snakes can get burned still), plus it's just another bulb to change when it goes (I've no idea how often they do need replacing because I don't use them). There isn't really a reason not to use a mat in a 3 ft wooden viv. I have mats (and stats) in both of mine |
| gmac |
Posted - 31/12/2012 : 15:07:24
there are really no pros and cons for mat vs bulb, preference really. So long as both are statted and the bulb is guarded then no isus with either.
I have mats and led lights for viewing. |
