Help I have a dilemna

[Sammag]

I can't decide what to do. My parents only allow me my bedroom closet for alll reptile endeavors(ecept feeders which are kep in the basement). So I want to get more leos but dont have enough space but then I got an idea. What if I use a sterilite drawer container that has 6 drawers and put it in my remaining space. I know it will fit but hear is another condition my parents made. I could only have a heat pad for my main leo tank, a light for them, and then a light for my satanic geckos. will The light output in the closet will be sufficient enough for the leos. I know they are nocturnal and such so will that help? Also since I can't have another heat source will the room temperature be fine? It is normally around 76 degrees from the output of the leo tank and even hotter in the winter from forced hot air vent just outside the closet door roughly about 79 degrees.

 

[acpart]

You really need to have about 92 degrees belly heat for the leos. What is their concern? High electric bill, too many things plugged in, worry about too much equipment, equipment cost? If it's the too many things plugged in, you could get a long heat cable (50') and run it under all the tubs and only have 1 thing to plug in. If it's too high an electric bill,the best you can do is to research how much it's costing and find a way to pay for the extra cost. It's always possible that they just don't want you to have too many reptiles and this is their way to control it. If you are of an age where you will be leaving home in the next few years, it's a good thing to think about that as well. If you end up somewhere where you can't have the reptiles,it's easier to get rid of a few rather than many.

Aliza

 

[Geckeleon]

As far as the heat goes you could probably do away with the heat pad and buy flex tape the length of your drawer container. Try to purchase 5 or 6 watt tape with a temp. control unit which is optional but a good thing to have to properly regulate temp.. The higher wattage tapes get to hot so stay away from them. Make sure you also have a good thermometer. Reach the right temp. before geckos are placed in containers. The tape is available in a few widths and is usually available at most reptile shows or on line. It needs to be put together with clips and a cord which usually they'll do for you. Secure the tape from top drawer to bottom along back of enclosure. Secure it to the enclosure not the containers since you'll be opening and closing them often. If done right one plug will serve the whole enclosure and the electrical cost is minimal. As far as light for your leo's light from a window is usually sufficient as long as your tanks are proper temp. :main_yes:

 

[Sammag]

Allright guys thanks for the help. And the original concern was too many things plugged in. Also could one of you direct me to where this tape can be found on the internet. Also one more question, Will the heat tape be expensive?

 

[Geckeleon]

You can try www.beanfarm.com. It's not expensive but if you buy it on line you'll have to put it together yourself. Not hard, but it's electric. I would call them first and ask for them to assist you. Don't forget to order 2 clips per length of tape and a cord with plug. Temp. unit are avail. $20.00 and higher. Good luck

 

[acpart]

I would recommend heat cable made by zoo-med instead of heat tape (flex watt) because I have heard too many stories of hot spots with the heat tape and things melting. It seems as if with your parents concerns you may want to be extra careful. Maybe someone who has used both has another opinion.

Zoo med heat cable can be gotten at the best price from an online company like lllreptile or, if you have more time to look, from ebay.

Aliza

 

[Sammag]

Thanks fo the help guys. If I can get a good deal on ebay then I guess I will go with zoomed seeing as its already assembled. Also you guys are suggesting running it alon the back of the tanks right? Will the heat transfer through or melt the plastic?

 

[Sammag]

Bump

 

[Double LY]

Thanks fo the help guys. If I can get a good deal on ebay then I guess I will go with zoomed seeing as its already assembled. Also you guys are suggesting running it alon the back of the tanks right? Will the heat transfer through or melt the plastic?

I have the Zoo-Med heat cable and built my own racks. I attempted to run the cable along the back, but it didn't work to warm the tubs up enough. Instead I routed a groove along the back of each shelf and set the cable into it and it works great. Just make sure you get a thermostat because the heat cable will get too hot without it.

 

[LadyGecko]

I can't decide what to do. My parents only allow me my bedroom closet for all reptile endeavors(except feeders which are keep in the basement). So I want to get more Leos but don't have enough space but then I got an idea. What if I use a sterilite drawer container that has 6 drawers and put it in my remaining space. I know it will fit but hear is another condition my parents made. I could only have a heat pad for my main Leo tank, a light for them, and then a light for my satanic geckos. will The light output in the closet will be sufficient enough for the Leos. I know they are nocturnal and such so will that help? Also since I can't have another heat source will the room temperature be fine? It is normally around 76 degrees from the output of the Leo tank and even hotter in the winter from forced hot air vent just outside the closet door roughly about 79 degrees.

This may come off sounding odd but be careful with the drawer units

Make sure that they have no openings so that you Leos can escape

You might also want to think about using a metal rack(you can buy anywhere) and the heat tape/cable with individual tubs with the lids left on and air holes poked/melted into the sides for ventilation

A gf of mine used a drawer unit and there was space where the drawers didn't quite meet the frame and her geckos kept escaping

She ended up going back to tanks because she only had a few Leos

Good Luck with whatever you end up using/doing
:main_thumbsup:
Sandy

 

[Sammag]

Thanks guys I will just run the cable along the back and see how much heat gets through. Something is better than nothing. Also as far as leos getting out I dont think that will happen because the drawer is a foot deep maybe 10 inches. Also since the top is somewhat cover I will make a few ventilation holes. I hope to get it up soon and will take pics when I do . Thanks

 

[Sammag]

All right guys well I got the drawers today and alreaady cleaned them up. It turns out the biggest size they had was http://www.sterilite.com/ProductDetail.html?ProductId=407&Section=Storage(Link to drawer) So I bought 2 to accomodate my needs. Now all I need is the zoomed heat cable which I will run up the back and thermostat. But first I want to somehow bind these two drawers since they are stacked on top of each other. Any ideas??

 

[Lena]

It's kind of funny, actually!

I just bought that same drawer today, I bought two sets of them at Walmart for $15 each. They're stacked on top of each other and seem pretty stable. I'll probably end up attaching them, though, just to ensure stability.

I'm going to need to figure something out for heating, though, as my UTH warped the plastic already and blocked the drawer below it.. For now I have the UTH on cardboard under the papertowels to keep my little girl warm. Luckily I only have one leo right now.

Will running the heat cable along the backs work efficiently? Leos need belly heat, don't they?

 

[Sammag]

I am not entirely sure but I am sure having some heat will help. By the way how do you plan to attatch your drawers? I cant seem to figure out how.

 

[Lena]

I'm not sure yet. I'm thinking of getting flexwatt heat tape and running it along the backs of all the drawers.

 

[Sammag]

That might work well but maybe since flewatt is so thin we could somehow put it under the drawers in that small space but that may take some tricky wiring. I think in the end it just might work just as fine to run it along the back. I have seen racks like that and it always works out.

By the way if you figure how to secure the drawers togther please tell me.

 

[Lena]

They sit pretty nicely on top of each other, it's actually quite stable.

And yeah, to put the heat tape under each individual drawer would mean, in our case, 6 things to plug in.

 

[Sammag]

For me thats outof the question. I think I am going to buy the zoomed heat cable and jus run along the back of thew drwaers but not so as to interere with the draws pull out feature. I just wonder what I could use to connect the heat cable?????????

Any ideas anyone

 

[Lena]

I've decided on using heat tape and just kind of thread it along the back of the drawers (infront of rather than behind the dividers).

http://www.bigappleherp.com/Flex-Watt-Heat-Tape?sc=2&category=14

http://arbreptiles.com/cages/flexwire.shtml
(How to wire it.)

I'm going to buy 5 feet. It'll only require one outlet when all is said and done. I'm also buying a thermostat to keep the temperatures stable.

http://www.4littlepets.com/zooreptitemp500rthermostat.aspx

Best of luck!

 

[Sammag]

Thanks for the links but I think www.beanfarm.com has better prices and more stuff for the fllewatt. I think thats what I might be using as well.