Heat Tape

[youritworks]

What's the best source to buy heat tape? I've tried finding it locally and have been unable to find it. Doesn't seem to be any large reptile outlets here in Chicagoland. Most pet stores around us hardly carry any reptile supplies let alone heat tape.

Is it better to buy in bulk or just buy what you need? Also is there a limited life on heat tape or what is the expected life of a run of tape?

[Monica]

Hi! After not being able to find heat tape locally I finally stumbled upon the bean farm. Try this page: http://www.beanfarm.com/heating/2.html

Seem to have pretty good prices and all the supplies needed to get you set up right.
Hope that helps!!! :)

[Monica]

P.S. I personally believe in buying in bulk. You can always save a bit of money (especially with shipping) and you never know when you might need extra! However this idea wouldn't work out as well if you don't have the space or xtra money at the time.

Not too sure about the "life" of heat tape. I don't imagine it burning out as a light bulb would though. I'm sure you could call anyone who distributes it and they would have the answer though! :)

[latazyo]

it depends on how much you need...in my case where I only have a few shelves I bought a few 4 foot sections, however if you're building a rack it might be best to buy in bulk....the reason I didn't buy in bulk is because although I iknew I might need more, I knew I wouldn't need 42 more feet

[Alias47]

There is a decent reptile store in Orland Park (probably the best in Chicago), but I do not know if they carry heat tape.
The store is Chicago Reptile House, they have a pretty decent selection of stuff, and sometimes will work on price with you...they are sponsoring the Chicago NARBC Show in Tinley Park in October.

Best bet is to get it online, I would think. I buy most herp supplies online, take some time and look at all the sources, because there can be a pretty BIG difference in prices (and shipping costs) from one dealer to another.
I took 4 hours one day comparing all the online F/T mice dealers. And the price range is UNBELIEVABLE. rodentpro.com has the best price I could find, but I can get f/t fuzzies for $0.05 more locally...and don't have to buy 200 or more at a time.

[Alias47]

I don't know where you are in the Chicago area, but they also have a store in Schererville, Indiana (just over the border in the route 30 area).
I have never been there, so I can't tell you how it is...there is also a store in Joliet called Three Rivers Reptiles...seems they have more herps and less stuff for them...but they can be worth a try as well...besides they sometimes have herps you don't see very often in stores (rosy boas, bullsnakes, some interesting pythons). Can be worth the trip just to check it out...might want to call first, I think they are closed on Wed. but I don't remember).

[youritworks]

Thanks Alias47. Actually I just moved to North Aurora but have no problem driving some weekend to Indiana to check things out. Thanks for all the suggestions, I'll be sure to check them all out.

I just found out about the show in Tinley Park, have you been to that before? I'm trying to see if it is worth going to, I've been to a few show around here and they weren't work it, but this one seems more organized.

There is a bi-monthly Reptile Swap in the northern sub-burbs that is fairly decent, small group of vendors that comes every two weeks. Lots of people there to unload pets too.

[Alias47]

WOW...you are just up the street!!
My office is in Oswego...I grew up in Batavia... went to high school at Marmion (used to be Military) Academy on Butterfield Road!

Skip Indiana...well...I don't know what they have there anyway...Orland is probably 45 minutes to an hour from you...it is worth a trip if you have nothing to do on a Saturday (I was there yesterday...their snake stock is dwindling, but they had a melanistic Thayeri King (all black) and a baby Super Tiger Retic that is beautiful, and going to get way bigger than I need)...Three Rivers is too and would only take you maybe a half hour/45 minutes...(it's only ten minutes from my house) you could even make a round trip out of the two.
I just got back into herps...now that I have a wife and kids I had to have approval first...so I have never been to the NARBC...but it is supposed to be the second biggest show in the US so it HAS to be worth it...all the big names will be there (Alex is displaying) and I know a bunch of people that regularly post in this forum are planning to go. It only takes me twenty minutes to get there...and shouldn't be more than 45 min. to an hour for you.
You can get information (along with a 2$ off coupon for admission) at NARBC.com just go to the chicago show page...they also have a list of exhibitors.
Where is the bi-monthly swap? I would love to get out to that some day!

[youritworks]

I grew up in Aurora, then got married and moved away. We just moved back here to N. Aurora. I guess I will go to the NARBC. Fortunately my wife wanted to get a snake, she had them in the past these are my first two. Only been a snake care giver for 2 months now, trying to learn as much as I can.

The bi-monthly show is www.reptileswap.com Rt. 59 and Schaumburg Road. Not sure what city that is but the website has all the details. Many things found at the swap besides snakes but I've found just about everything I've needed there.

[Alias47]

I had actually found crosswinds on a vendor's site...but have never gone.
I might have to make it a point.
Thanks for the info.

I am trying to get my wife into them...
I have four new tanks waiting to be filled...she doesn't even know I have the tanks yet.
My kids LOVE 'em...I just need to ease her in slowly...before OCT when I come home with some new additions!! :P

[CornCrazy]

I bought my heat tape from the company that manufacturer's it. They also sell the clips, insulators, etc. for wiring the heat tape. I had to call them to get prices on the stuff I needed....

The website is: http://www.calorique.com/