New Heating Method

[oscar]

That is a very cool idea!

I agree with you

Do you mean one of the free standing oil filled heater being a heat radiator ?
If so the ones I have seen use 1000 watts.

 

[DolanKoops]

Nope it's electric just a cable to it

 

[Madkins007]

I'll stick with my waterproof cables- less work!

The instructions for the heating rope I use suggests you secure it to some mesh or something to hold it in place, then I use it under 2" of substrate. So far, the torts have not dug it up or interfered with it, but then Red-foots are not really diggers.

As for why the ones the OP uses are not waterproof- electrical insulation is not the same as water-proof insulation. The maker cannot promise that in use some water cannot seep in and cause problems, shorting the cord, starting a fire, zapping the torts, etc.

The waterproof cord I use does have one drawback- it does not last a real long time- about 6-12 months on average from my experience, although I suspect the spacing and local heat generated affect it quite a bit.

 

[lynnedit]

I know you had a great post on your set up, Mark, but remind me of the brand of cables that you use?
Neal, using PVC is a great idea, it is fairly easy to work with. Let us know how it goes.

 

[Criskers]

PVC is an insulator; meaning it is a poor conductor of heat. I'd go with one of the direct burial heat cables sold at garden/greenhouse supply houses.

 

[CGKeith]

I have used cables like this and just put them under the enclosures/bins, not inside the enclosure in the substrate. Pretty much the way you would use heat tape. The only issue was that the bins don't sit exactly flat.