enclosure heating

[ratsnakeroger]

Hi everyone im new to this site well have been browsing for some time and have decided to join I have three coastals and one stimmi and im so wrapped on reptiles that like everyone ya just want more and more anyway getting to the point im about to make a couple of banks of enclosures so i can expand my collection and have come up with some different ideas on heating and lighting im trying to cut costs in the electricity bills and was just wondering what is the best thing to do for this and also the cheapest have a mate who is and sparkie and he suggested using low voltage heat elements the type that you place under slate and tiles in your house but they seem a bit pricey $30 - $40 a metre say the bank of enclsures where 3metres long and you have 9 enclosure in the bank 3 bottom 3 middle and 3 top also the other idea was turn one of the spare rooms into and enclsure room and buy this stuff place under the tile floor maybe but still seems costly these element are 50watts per foot
hope someone can help
cheers RSR

[diamond_python]

Welcome to the site. Where are you from??

[ratsnakeroger]

NSW just north of newcastle

[africancichlidau]

Studgy and Jimmy, I have just removed your irrelevant posts to give this new member a chance of getting some serious answers. I do so hope you understand. And welcome to you Ratsnakeroger

[ratsnakeroger]

guys and girls i'm still after some info regarding the above topic
cheers

[instar]

Roger, welcome aboard! You can buy heat tape of various wattage and length, im sure you could find something to suit your needs here......

http://www.herpshop.com.au/

[ponybug]

hi ratsnakeroger,
welcome, i'm not sure on the tile bit, but in my case, i'd look at using light bulbs on a thermastat with a cage around the bulb, or you could use a heat cord between 2 tiles, there was a photo on here at one stage that showed you how to do it, i think "browns" uses this method and it works well, but as we live in nth qld our heating is different to what you will need down south, i use hotrocks for my adults and for hatchlings i use a ply box with a 25watt bulb fitted inside and put the hatchling containers on top, allowing a hot end and cold end, i've added the photo of the tile , i hope this helps you out a bit,

cheers,
steve........

[ratsnakeroger]

steve how long is the heat cord this may be and option as these are only $20- $40 depending on the lenght i want to get away from globes as the don't last as long as heat tape and heat mats from my experience more ideas please
cheers

[herptrader]

You may also find this page of interest:

http://www.herpshop.com.au/TiledEnclosure

[ratsnakeroger]

You may also find this page of interest

yes i have seen this and have taken serious thought regarding this may be a possible outcome to my question i am mainly looking at alternative heat sources which are cost effective when it comes to a bank of enclosures
cheers

[herptrader]

Cost effective can be measured in many ways. The initial setup cost is just part of the equation. Energy/heat derived from electricty will cost the same per watt regardless of whether it comes from a light bulb, heat tape, heat cord or ceramic heat emitter. If cost effective is your goal then the focus should perhaps be minimising heat loss. For example wooden enclosures let far less heat escape than glass ones.

Another aspect is the room that the enclosure is set up in. Gas is far cheaper that electrickery per watt. A well insulated gas heated room will mean that your electric heat source does not have to work as hard.

Likewise a well insulated enclosure, with double insulated glass could be very efficient - alas important ventilation will tend to bring good unsulation undone ;-)