Cable heating.

[aimee]

Got the cable yesterday, put tigers into other tanks whilst I did some testing.
Put a hole about big enough for the cable to fit though, it's about halfway up the substrate but in hindsight would put it closer to the bottom.

Layed out the cable and put the rest of the substrate back in along with all the decor. .


Left it for 3 hours and the reading of the air temp was 25c - perfect, but the reading directly on top of the substrate was 30c, too high. The cable is half way up the substrate at the mo so tonight I'll move it to the bottom and add a layer of fabric for peace of mind.

Will update with results

[shaydeesnail]

Looks like this might be one of the best ways to heat plastic tanks. I'm glad to see it's worked, if you put the cable along the bottom with the fabric and all that, I'm sure if it's still too hot you could just add more substrate? You may want to leave a small portion of the tank unheated though, so the snails can move if they want to

[Evil Angel]

I was looking at getting them if my mat doesn't work, but could only find long lengths that would cover the whole tank rather than just half.. what is the shortest length you've come across? x

[aimee]

5 meters I think, on ebay.http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Reptile-Vivarium-Propagator-Heat-Cables-25W-5-metre-/400263556977?pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Reptiles_Spiders_Insects&hash=item5d31912f71
I changed it to an 'inee/outee' - there are 3 lengths of cable, running lengthways on the inside over about a quarter of the base with it at the bottom of the tank. The rest I taped over the side of the tank on the outside covered in roll mat. Temp is reading about 24c at the mo and the substrate isn't feeling nearly as toasty so I think might have cracked it, will keep checking it over the next few hours!

[Evil Angel]

Sounds like a good set up there!

For my smaller tanks I'll have to stick to mats as even 3 meters would be too long, but might try them in my larger tanks! What size did you buy for your tank?

[aimee]

7 meters/50watt.
You could possibly buy a large one if you split it between 2 containers - if your bf could bare to have two tanks side by side at the bottom of the stack!

[Evil Angel]

I couldn't do that with my stack at the moment as I then wouldn't have room to get to my guinea pig cage, but I'm hoping to be swapping a sofa for a sideboard after christmas so I can lay my snail tanks out on it, so that may be a good idea to try then!!

[copigeon]

I use these soil warming cables under glass exoterra vivariums - they get very hot, and the heat is localized. I would highly recommend not using these inside substrate. Snails burrow, and they will happily rest against a heat source and cook themselves, causing burns or death.
I dont see a thermostat either? Should always run these with a thermostat.

The cables are excellent, when positioned under a tank (with feet, there should be a gap between the cable and the base of the container to prevent hotspots and fire risk), with a thermostat to prevent over heating.

The theory is sound, direct soil heating is attractive, but based on experience I would heavily rethink it. Best of luck.

[aimee]

The snails in this tank have never burrowed, and the sphagnum moss pile corner is a much comfier option than the chunky substrate they have. The substrate is very deep, and the cables are covered first with substrate and then with a fabric barrier, then the rest of the substrate.
I can't say an accident would never happen, but I feel confidant enough to say it's highly unlikely.
(a thermostat was ordered a couple of days ago)

What size and wattage cables do you use for what size tank? Glass or plastic? Under half the tank?

[copigeon]

What you choose to do is up to you - but anyone else getting the same idea should be aware of a few things.

Giant land snails do burrow, if they rest against the cable they will get burnt. Its not a maybe or an if. Just because you haven't seen it yet doesn't mean its not going to happen. Don't be complacent.
Snails burrow to get aware from the warmth, if they get too hot with your new setup the first thing they will do is go down. They might not have demonstrated that behavior yet, but then if your tanks been on the cool side they might not have needed to.

If the cables are soil warming cables they are not designed to be used with livestock - if they are an under soil cable theyre designed for soil warming for plants. If they are a standard reptile heat cable then I dont know if theyre supposed to be submerged in anything? So theyre being used off spec anyway which is why you then need to take extra care in how youre utilising them.

Snail cooking concerns aside you need to be careful that the cable doesnt touch itself so on an operational point burrowing a cable in compost where the cable may move and cross itself isnt ideal. The concentrated heat of two cables touching could cause them to melt? I would suggest you have far too much cable for such a small tank.
The safety break down on the units Im using specify the cable needs to be 5cm apart from itself.

I use about a foot of cable per tank, 30cm square base size. 1cm clearance above the cable. At least 8cm space between two lengths.

Dont misunderstand me, the cables are great, I recommend them. However they do have safety guidelines, and what youre doing is risky. Just consider using them under the tank, space the cable safely, and wait until you have that thermostat.