How to Use Water Piping to Heat Reptile Cages

Water piping is commonly used as a radiant heat source for reptile rooms or room-sized animal enclosures. In these cases, the pipes are embedded in the concrete floor and controlled by thermostat. However, adapting radiant heat systems for terrarium use is highly feasible, and can help to increase the temperature and humidity of the vivarium. However, you will need to monitor the terrarium temperature and experiment with ways to increase the temperature in the aquarium--you may even need to use a supplemental heat lamp to provide extra heat at times.

Things You'll Need

  • Small plastic storage bin with lid
  • Submersible water heater
  • Water pump
  • Rubber tubing (very small diameter and medium diameter)
  • Drill
  • Copper pipe (small diameter)
  • Copper pipe bending spring (external)
  • Copper pipe cutter
  • 2 Copper pipe male fittings
  • Plumbing flux
  • Propane torch
  • Solder
  • Screen wire
  • Vivarium thermometer
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Instructions

  1. Prepare the Water Reservoir

    • 1

      Drill a hole (or holes) in the lid of the plastic storage container to allow the tubing, pump cord and water heater cord to exit.

    • 2

      Adjust the submersible water heater to its highest temperature setting, and place it in the water reservoir; run the cord and plug through the reservoir lid.

    • 3

      Attach a length of small-diameter rubber tubing to the water pump; the tubing should reach from the water reservoir into the vivarium. If possible, drill a hole in the vivarium for the rubber tubing to pass through (use aquarium sealant or nontoxic caulk to seal the tubing in place later). Place the water pump in the water reservoir, after feeding the tubing and power cord through the hole in the reservoir lid.

    • 4

      Fill the water reservoir with water. Be sure to completely cover the pump and water heater with several inches of water.

    • 5

      Place the water reservoir in a location below the level of the bottom of the tank if possible--this will reduce the work of the pump and increase water flow.

    Build and Connect the Heating Element

    • 6

      Insert the copper pipe into the bending spring tool. Center the spring over the section that you want to bend, grip the pipe and bend it around your knee, a pole or some other stationary object. Bend the copper pipe into a rounded "zig-zag" so that it covers the bottom of the vivarium with a couple of inches between passes. Leave space at each end for the male fitting and tubing attachment.

    • 7

      "Sweat" a male pipe fitting onto each end of the copper tubing. Brush the pipe with plumbing flux, insert it into the fitting and heat only the fitting with the propane torch. When the flux starts to sizzle, touch the solder to the joint; the temperature difference between the pipe and fitting will cause the solder to be pulled into the fitting to seal the union. You may need to use two different-sized fittings to accommodate the smaller inflow tubing from the water pump and the larger diameter return tubing; however, this arrangement will provide optimal water flow. Let the pipe and fitting cool.

    • 8

      Attach the smaller inflow tubing to one end of the heating element and the larger outflow tubing to the other end. Pass the outflow tubing through a drilled hole in the vivarium or over the side of the aquarium in a hidden area (e.g., behind a plant). Thread the end of the outflow tubing through the hole in the lid of the water reservoir.

    • 9

      Plug in the water heater and allow the water to heat overnight before turning on the water pump.

    • 10

      Cover the heating element with sand, a layer of screen wire and more sand. Top the sand with organic soil substrate if desired.