Heat mat temperature

[Torman8]

I have set up a temporary winter enclosure for my 5 year old Sulcata in a 5'x9' space in our mudroom. We have a electric oil heater keeping the room at 82 at night.

I would like to add the kane heat mat with the thermostat but am not sure what temperature to set it to, as it won't be in a night box.

 

[Tom]

I have set up a temporary winter enclosure for my 5 year old Sulcata in a 5'x9' space in our mudroom. We have a electric oil heater keeping the room at 82 at night.

I would like to add the kane heat mat with the thermostat but am not sure what temperature to set it to, as it won't be in a night box.

Don't set a temperature or use a thermostat. Just plug it in. The tortoise can move on or off to regulate its temperature. The Kane mats have built in self-limiting thermostats. Don't put any substrate of hay on top of the mat.

What size is your tortoise? Most 5 year olds are much too large for a 5x9 room. Is yours a slow grower?

Also, is it 82 on the floor where the tortoise is, or is it 82 up wherever the temperature probe is? The floor can be significantly cooler than the air, and especially so in a frozen cold climate.

 

[Torman8]

Okay. I will buy the 18x28 mat without thermostat/rheostat.

He is 8lbs. Not exactly sure of his age as we got him from a rescue. We have had him for two months.

The floor is insulated and the temperature on the floor on the coldest side is 78.

Thanks for the help.

 

[Torman8]

We got the mat set up and it was at 125 f. Is this too hot? The instructions say the mat will run at 37f hotter than the ambient temp. We set the oil heater to 80f.

Not sure if we should lower the temp of the oil heater or buy the Zilla Digital Temperature Controller and set it lower.

 

[Len B]

We got the mat set up and it was at 125 f. Is this too hot? The instructions say the mat will run at 37f hotter than the ambient temp. We set the oil heater to 80f.

Not sure if we should lower the temp of the oil heater or buy the Zilla Digital Temperature Controller and set it lower.

I would get a lamp dimmer instead of the Zilla controller. Then use a large hardback book like a dictionary and place it on the mat let it set and heat up for at least an hour. Then using a temp gun check the temperatures around the mat. Then check the temps of the mat under the book and the bottom of the book. The temperature under the book will most likely be higher than the temps on the rest of the mat. Then adjust the dimmer to get the right safe temperature under the book. You need the ambient room temperature high enough to keep the tortoise warm and the mat warm enough but not getting to hot where it will not set on it because it is getting over heated underneath.