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Post by flabster on Sept 5, 2019 18:26:26 GMT
Hi guys!
I've just nicely got my two new snail babies. They're in a glass tank, so just want a little advice on the set up.
The tank is the exoterra version, so it has a meshed top. I cling filmed over it to try and keep the moisture in, is this okay? Little worried about the heat mat melting it, and everything else actually.
The heat mat is a 5watt one, and I've put it on the side of the tank. Is something like aluminium foil okay to use as insulation, and where should I put it? I've got no polystyrene at the minute.
And how is best to use the heat mat? The room they are kept in is pretty warm, so I'm not sure if I should just leave the heat mat on indefinitely or turn it off? I work long shifts but I do have one of those timer plugs to use with it.
I wont lie I'm a little panicky about the heat mat setting something on fire, which probably is stupid but it does worry me a bit.
Any help with this would be greatly appreciated:)
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Post by morningcoffee on Sept 6, 2019 12:14:03 GMT
Any help with this would be greatly appreciated:) Cling film on the mesh is fine - I used to use a clear plastic bin bag wrapped around the lid when I had an Exo Terra tank. Heat mats don't get nearly hot enough to melt anything (unless there is a serious malfunction) otherwise they'd be dangerous for animals in a tank. They are supposed to provide a fairly gentle warmth. I've had snails sleep right on against the glass where the heatmat is and they've been fine and happy. Heat mats for snails should always be placed on the side of the tank and never under, so your positioning of it is correct. Aluminium foil is OK as insulation (I've used the type that you put behind radiators to reflect heat before). Just cover the back of the heat mat with it and secure with a little tape. Some people keep the heatmats on all the time for a constant temperature, some people switch them off for parts of the day or night to emulate day/night temperature changes in the wild - it's up to you, you can experiment to some extent and see what works best. I've personally never had a problem with any heat mat, but malfunctions or failures are always possible with any electrical equipment. If it's something that worries you, you could get a thermostat for extra safety.
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