13 replies to this topic

[EmberMyAnts]

Well, here is the problem. Pavement ants love different heat setting, but, the lowest heat mats and/or cables are 24 watts, and, I need a 15 watt cable or mat. So, does anyone know any sort of mat or cable that is 15 or lower watts? Thanks!

[FeedTheAnts]

Heating Mat

This is the heating mat I use. I'm not sure what the wattage is(actually, looks like 20W), but it isn't very hot.

[EmberMyAnts]

It says 7W, May mean 7 watts? Anyways, thanks a lot!

[AntJohnny]

1/8 5/7/14/20W Pet Reptile Heater Under Tank Heating Pad Pet Warming Heat Mat Tool

Search this on ebay. I copied the link for it and it was a few paragraphs long.

I use the 15 watt for dubia roaches and it works great. The smallest they have should work good for ants. They have temparture dials too. I can set mine anywhere from room temp to well over 200 degrees Fahrenheit. I keep it at 90 for the roaches. You will need a thermometer for it at first just to make sure it's the temparture you want. Hope this helps😀
1/8 5/7/14/20W Pet Reptile Heater Under Tank Heating Pad Pet Warming Heat Mat Tool

Search this on ebay. I copied the link for it and it was a few paragraphs long.

I use the 15 watt for dubia roaches and it works great. The smallest they have should work good for ants. They have temparture dials too. I can set mine anywhere from room temp to well over 200 degrees Fahrenheit. I keep it at 90 for the roaches. You will need a thermometer for it at first just to make sure it's the temparture you want. Hope this helps😀

[EmberMyAnts]

Thank you!!

[Mettcollsuss]

I use a heating cable rather than a mat. 15 watt ones are available at most pet stores. I find them more convenient.

[EmberMyAnts]

The problem with the cables was that I couldn’t find any 15 watts. I will go check out the cables at Petco though, thanks!

[Carpenter]

There are some 5 watt pads on amazon, I use that for a THA formicarium with C. Novaeborencis 

[drtrmiller]

The power rating is extremely misleading when it comes to these heating devices.  The wattage is mostly related to how large the heated area is, not how hot it gets.

 

To approximate the actual heat output, take the wattage and divide it by the area in square inches.

 

For example:

 

Pad A: 15 watt / 25 sq. inch = 0.6 w/inch²

 

Pad B: 25 watt / 42 sq. inch = 0.6 w/inch²

 

As you can see, both pads have the same amount of heat per unit area, but the second one is a physically bigger heat pad, so it naturally has a higher power rating.

Edited by drtrmiller, May 1 2019 - 2:07 PM.

[Rstheant]

ZooMed 11 watt heat cables are good for most ant species.

[EmberMyAnts]

I got a ZooMed 15 watt, 11 inch. Thanks! Haven't tried it out, but, I have hope for it!

[venator]

There are heating pads with adjustable temperature controls, so wattage doesn't matter. 

eg: https://www.amazon.c...r/dp/B01M7SP67V

this one also have 5W and 7W models anyways

[CoolColJ]

the wattage has no real effect on temperature reached, unless your using it in an incubator  it just means the cable is longer and for mats, the mat is just larger

 

Use a thermostat to control the actual temperature!

[PaxxMantid]

There are heating pads with adjustable temperature controls, so wattage doesn't matter. 

eg: https://www.amazon.c...r/dp/B01M7SP67V

this one also have 5W and 7W models anyways

 

A dimming thermostat plus ceramic lamp or heading pad is a pretty good setup.