Back or Belly heat?????

[GreenCountryHerp]

I just wanted to get some opinions on this. I am sure everyone has debated this at some point in time. I currently use belly heat on all my racks. I am in the process of building another rack and it would be some much easier to just run heat tape down the back of the rack instead of on each shelf. What are your opinions? I know some of the larger breeders use back heat in their racks but I have always thought the belly heat helps them to digest better. If you really think about it though ball pythons live underground and don't normally lay out in the sun to digest so it makes me think that the belly heat might not be as important as people may think.

 

[Matt2979]

Personally, I have a strong preference for the belly heat. I've built several racks and, while back-heat would be a LOT easier to install, I only use belly heat. I just feel like you've got to get it so much hotter if they cannot lay directly on it (especially for digesting a meal) or the tub will not be adequately heated.

Again, this is only my opinion. I've not found any scientific facts to back it up.

 

[Focal]

I've built racks with both, and as Matt stated, you have to have run back heat so much higher to achieve the desired temp. Fluctuations also seem higher running back. I only have one rack left that has back heat and my hatchlings cling to the wall of the tubs to absorb that heat occassionaly and it just makes me feel like I am stressing them. They wanna be there, but they can only get that far, you know?

Another disadvantage to back heat are hot spots. Now this is just my opinion and I may be wrong in comparison to the views of others, but six seperate, 1' sections will have more consistent temps on each section than one long six foot sections.

Probably the best reason to stay away from back heat, is the bottom rack will always be cooler than the top and you cannot adjust it have each tub the same temp. I've tried fans and while it will help, it wont fix the problem.

 

[Focal]

Also, you can only run one thermostat on one length of back heat. Belly heat can have a thermostat on each shelf.

 

[GreenCountryHerp]

I've built racks with both, and as Matt stated, you have to have run back heat so much higher to achieve the desired temp. Fluctuations also seem higher running back. I only have one rack left that has back heat and my hatchlings cling to the wall of the tubs to absorb that heat occassionaly and it just makes me feel like I am stressing them. They wanna be there, but they can only get that far, you know?

Another disadvantage to back heat are hot spots. Now this is just my opinion and I may be wrong in comparison to the views of others, but six seperate, 1' sections will have more consistent temps on each section than one long six foot sections.

Probably the best reason to stay away from back heat, is the bottom rack will always be cooler than the top and you cannot adjust it have each tub the same temp. I've tried fans and while it will help, it wont fix the problem.

That all makes sense, it is always nice to hear someone elses opinions. It seems like there is always something you learn. I guess thats why they say "two heads are better than one". It looks like I am going to stick with the belly heat

 

[Focal]

That all makes sense, it is always nice to hear someone elses opinions. It seems like there is always something you learn. I guess thats why they say "two heads are better than one". It looks like I am going to stick with the belly heat

Definitely!! I've learned more about herpin' on here in the last year than I have my whole life.


One other thing about belly heat, it seems to hold the ambient temp better due to heat rising. There may also be some pro's to back heat, they just haven't applied to me yet.

 

[rcpreis3]

Definitely!! I've learned more about herpin' on here in the last year than I have my whole life.


One other thing about belly heat, it seems to hold the ambient temp better due to heat rising. There may also be some pro's to back heat, they just haven't applied to me yet.

Also the color of the tub determines how easily the temp goes through it. clear sterilites wil heat up much faster but stay cooler than the grey tubs with the built in water dish. (CB-70s I think...) Its rough cuz I keep one snake in a grey tub cuz hes scared of his own shadow, and I really wanted him to get comfortable. Turns out his tub is about 25 degrees hotter than the sterilites. But I remember reading balls absorb their heat from the ground underneath them. So I stick with belly heat.

Oh crap I have to go, my lil sisters started watching Twilight and I can feel my hot dogs coming back up. Ill talk to u guys later.

 

[snakesRkewl]

Also, you can only run one thermostat on one length of back heat. Belly heat can have a thermostat on each shelf.

Huh?
Explain please, I know people that run multiple strips on one thermostat, even with back heat?

My preference is belly heat all the way for all the reasons given.
Ball pythons run skip and hop to their hot spot after eating

 

[GreenCountryHerp]

I run multiple strips on my thermostat, some of the thermostats come with multiple hookups. I have 3 of the Johnson Controls thermostats and you can get them with 5 outlets. They work great.
Also Bob-O, I hope you enjoyed Twilight after you were done with the hotdogs:laugh:

 

[rcpreis3]

I run multiple strips on my thermostat, some of the thermostats come with multiple hookups. I have 3 of the Johnson Controls thermostats and you can get them with 5 outlets. They work great.
Also Bob-O, I hope you enjoyed Twilight after you were done with the hotdogs:laugh:

Oh no I booked out of here and went to the neighbors to play xbox then to work. So luckily I got to keep my lunch.

 

[garweft]

Huh?
Explain please, I know people that run multiple strips on one thermostat, even with back heat?

My preference is belly heat all the way for all the reasons given.
Ball pythons run skip and hop to their hot spot after eating

He means that since you can wire belly heat individual per shelf you can use 1 thermostat to run all your bottom shelves and another for each individual shelf.

With back heat you only have 1 strip per rack so you cannot control each shelf individual.

 

[snakesRkewl]

He means that since you can wire belly heat individual per shelf you can use 1 thermostat to run all your bottom shelves and another for each individual shelf.

With back heat you only have 1 strip per rack so you cannot control each shelf individual.

Thank you

 

[bradleymoore]

...unless you made the back of each shelf a strip of horizontal flexwatt, which is what i'd do if i went with back heat.

 

[axeman]

It was also explained to me that in the wild the ground heats all day. When they come out at night, the ground is still warm even as the air temps start to cool. That was why I use belly heat.

 

[GreenCountryHerp]

It was also explained to me that in the wild the ground heats all day. When they come out at night, the ground is still warm even as the air temps start to cool. That was why I use belly heat.

That sounds like a good explaination, I would have to agree with that. I am going with belly heat, I just wanted to throw the idea around to see what everyone had to say. I appreciate everyones feedback

 

[Focal]

He means that since you can wire belly heat individual per shelf you can use 1 thermostat to run all your bottom shelves and another for each individual shelf.

With back heat you only have 1 strip per rack so you cannot control each shelf individual.

Yup. Sorry some times my words don't come out right

...unless you made the back of each shelf a strip of horizontal flexwatt, which is what i'd do if i went with back heat.

I've never thought of that. That's a good idea because it would solve a lot of the problems I had in the past with belly heat