Quick question on heating

[Rapmilo]

I have built a wooden vivarium for my leopard gecko and am using the heatmat inside the vivarium with a thermostat. I am using a styrofoam sheet that is coated with grout to serve as a barrier between the wood frame and the heatmat. I then placed the heat mat above this barrier and added a layer of cloth above the heatmat, so the leo would never come in direct contact with the heat mat. Above the cloth is the Eco Terra coconut fiber which I use as the main substrate (I may switch over to reptile carpet).

I haven't run into any issues of overheating while I am testing it. I just want to know if this set up is safe or if I should add a glass barrier in the floor of the enclosure and use the heatmat as an under tank heater.

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

Look for the Table of Contents link right below in my signature. Click on it, then scroll to posts 60a and 117 in the main body of the Leo Care Sheet to find 4 different examples of heating wooden vivariums.

All heat mats need some ventilation to prevent heat build up. The heat mat needs to breathe!

Eco Earth is an insulator, so if it's very deep the heat does not get through.

 

[Keeboard]

I'd stick with the coco fiber. Reptile carpet catches their teeth and claws and insects can get underneath it

 

[Rapmilo]

So would putting the cloth directly on top of the heatmat be dangerous to the leo?

I'm not planning to make the ecoearth layer thick in the side where the heatmat is, so that it doesn't insulate too much of the heat.

Also would a thin sheet of styrofoam or maybe cardboard that will be mounted on the legs of the heatmat above the heatmat be appropriate for allowing ventilation, or will there need to be more space?

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

So would putting the cloth directly on top of the heatmat be dangerous to the leo?

I'm not planning to make the ecoearth layer thick in the side where the heatmat is, so that it doesn't insulate too much of the heat.

Also would a thin sheet of styrofoam or maybe cardboard that will be mounted on the legs of the heatmat above the heatmat be appropriate for allowing ventilation, or will there need to be more space?

Heat rises. This heat will warm your leo's belly. Provide 1/4-1/2 inches of ventilation underneath the heat mat. The temperatures should be monitored right where the leo will rest. I suggest 88-92*F.

What type of cloth? Why? Slate or a ceramic tile no thicker than 3/8 inch directly above the heat mat is excellent.

Sandwich the heat mat between two ~ 12 x 12 inch tiles OR do what mecoat, JIMI, or acpart has done on posts 60a & 117. There are some pictures right there. Stick the heat mat underneath the upper tile. Then place 1-2 small tiles between the tiles at each corner to provide ventilation.

 

[Rapmilo]

Ok here is what I have decided to do...

I've added the heatmat directly above the styrofoam sheet with the stand studs it came with to give a ~1/4 inch ventilation. I then added a layer of glass (taped all around the edges to prevent the gecko from cutting itself) and added a thin layer of eco earth less than a centimeter. It seems to be heating well like this...

I've fixed the heat mat so it does not come into contact with any of the wood and only the glass and bottom styrofoam sheet.