Installation of Kane Electric Heat Mat Question

Lobo · Wednesday at 9:33 AM

I noticed in the pictures that member Johnkoch posted showing the construction of his tortoise enclosure that it appears that his Kane Heat Mat is installed at a different level than the rest of the enclosure flooring. I can't really tell for sure but this is how it appears. I'll attach a photo. I have also sent him a direct message but thought that this might be something for discussion. I'm not sure if he used 2x4's or 1x4's under an additional sheet of plywood to create this platform. I'd like to get some opinions regarding this design or idea. Also, I'm guessing that this type of heater needs to be screwed to the floor so that it does not move around. I'm guessing that he did this in order to keep the substrate added from covering the heater.

Tom · Wednesday at 1:20 PM

I vaguely remember talking about this in the past. It does appear that all of your assessments are correct. Did you have a question?

I would not do it this way. That substrate is eventually going to end up on the Kane mat, and we know that that can be a problem. Raising the heat mat up off the floor and screwing it down should reduce the risk in theory, but Murphy's tortoise law says that the tortoise will find a way to pile that substrate high on the Kane mat.

Substate is not needed in the outdoor boxes. I find it best to just throw some dry yard dirt in there and then scoop it out as needed with a flat head shovel. My bare plywood floors don't rot even after more than a decade of use, with tortoises regularly peeing and pooping on them.

I also would not use a humidifier. I use tubs or buckets of water inside my boxes, and the evaporation makes enough humidity.

Finally, it looks like the wall around the heater needs to be a little taller.

Lobo · Wednesday at 6:55 PM

Tom said:
I vaguely remember talking about this in the past. It does appear that all of your assessments are correct. Did you have a question?

I would not do it this way. That substrate is eventually going to end up on the Kane mat, and we know that that can be a problem. Raising the heat mat up off the floor and screwing it down should reduce the risk in theory, but Murphy's tortoise law says that the tortoise will find a way to pile that substrate high on the Kane mat.

Substate is not needed in the outdoor boxes. I find it best to just throw some dry yard dirt in there and then scoop it out as needed with a flat head shovel. My bare plywood floors don't rot even after more than a decade of use, with tortoises regularly peeing and pooping on them.

I also would not use a humidifier. I use tubs or buckets of water inside my boxes, and the evaporation makes enough humidity.

Finally, it looks like the wall around the heater needs to be a little taller.

Thanks Tom, you answered my question if elevating the Kane Mat was a good idea but it sounds like it would be a waste of time. I'm not looking for extra work so I'm leaving it at floor level. I will encourage my son just to put some natural dirt in Crush's enclosure.

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