Heat mat

[DanaLachney]

Just bought an under the tank heat mat for my redfoot today and I'm unsure as to if it's supposed to be stuck on the bottom of the tote(like the instructions suggest) or simply placed under the enclosure. Thanks in advance for any advice/tips

 

[Blakem]

I put mine under the enclosure because it gets pretty warm

 

[DanaLachney]

I know buts got an adhesive side ur supposed to mount under the enclosure. Do I HAVE to mount it? Also it says for use on glass aquariums only does that matter?

 

[Blakem]

I currently have mine on a glass enclosure. So, I have not had any other experiences. I am sure someone will be by soon to give you more information! My Russian loces to burrow down and lay on the warm part. If he did not have the thick skin I don't know how he would be able to lay on that area!

 

[StudentoftheReptile]

Undertank heat pads are meant to be adhered to the bottom of the enclosure. If you are using a UTH on anything other than a glass tank, be sure to use a rheostat or thermostat, because they WILL warp the plastic. Also be sure to make sure the tub is raised off the surface of whatever it's sitting on, either via those little stoppers that came with it, or a couple of wood boards...anything to raise it up and allow air flow underneath the tub/enclosure. NEVER sit the enclosure directly down on the UTH. This will cause heat to build up (cracking the glass of a tank, or severely warping a tub).

I have used ZooMed brand UTH pads on tubs before using a rheostat with no issues.

 

[DanaLachney]

Undertank heat pads are meant to be adhered to the bottom of the enclosure. If you are using a UTH on anything other than a glass tank, be sure to use a rheostat or thermostat, because they WILL warp the plastic. Also be sure to make sure the tub is raised off the surface of whatever it's sitting on, either via those little stoppers that came with it, or a couple of wood boards...anything to raise it up and allow air flow underneath the tub/enclosure. NEVER sit the enclosure directly down on the UTH. This will cause heat to build up (cracking the glass of a tank, or severely warping a tub).

I have used ZooMed brand UTH pads on tubs before using a rheostat with no issues.

Ok....so I just googled Rheostat and thats something I have to build. Which I'm not good at sooooo....basically the heat mat was a waste of money and I bought it at a pet store thats closing so I can't return it

 

[jaizei]

Undertank heat pads are meant to be adhered to the bottom of the enclosure. If you are using a UTH on anything other than a glass tank, be sure to use a rheostat or thermostat, because they WILL warp the plastic. Also be sure to make sure the tub is raised off the surface of whatever it's sitting on, either via those little stoppers that came with it, or a couple of wood boards...anything to raise it up and allow air flow underneath the tub/enclosure. NEVER sit the enclosure directly down on the UTH. This will cause heat to build up (cracking the glass of a tank, or severely warping a tub).

I have used ZooMed brand UTH pads on tubs before using a rheostat with no issues.

Ok....so I just googled Rheostat and thats something I have to build. Which I'm not good at sooooo....basically the heat mat was a waste of money and I bought it at a pet store thats closing so I can't return it

http://zoomed.com/db/products/EntryDetail.php?EntryID=123&DatabaseID=2&SearchID=5

You just plug the UTH into this.

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Edit:
I also prefer using small, round felt pads instead of the rubber nubs they provide with the UTH.

 

[StudentoftheReptile]

ZooMed makes a rheostat you can buy at most petsmarts for less than $30. Probably can find it cheaper on Amazon. That's what I've used.

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jaizei beat me to it!

 

[DanaLachney]

Thank you guys SOOOOO MUCH I was starting to get downhearted about my ability to provide for my tort. I'm really trying very hard but I'm just not electrically talented and know I could never build a dimmer switch or a rheostat. I'm going to Petsmart Saturday and will get one then. Thanks for all the advice!!!!

 

[Madkins007]

Most of these heat mats are designed to be used in a dry location, and adhered directly to a slate or glass surface. I don't think it would be safe to use on a plastic tub, even with the thermostat. (That is because most reasonably priced thermostats turn the mat on full blast until it hits the target temp, then completely off until it drops below another target temp. The 'full blast heat' is usually enough to at least warp and possibly melt the plastic of the tub.)

They do make 'proportional heaters' that turn the heater on 40% or 68% or whatever is needed to achieve the target, but these are harder to find and more costly.

As for the mat- you can try selling it on Amazon or someplace similar... assuming no one here would want it.

 

[DanaLachney]

Can I use this with my CHE as well?!?

 

[NudistApple]

I know many snake keepers who use the UTHs on sweaterbins with no warping/melting/negative side effects what so ever.

I think it should be fine.

 

[jaizei]

Most of these heat mats are designed to be used in a dry location, and adhered directly to a slate or glass surface. I don't think it would be safe to use on a plastic tub, even with the thermostat. (That is because most reasonably priced thermostats turn the mat on full blast until it hits the target temp, then completely off until it drops below another target temp. The 'full blast heat' is usually enough to at least warp and possibly melt the plastic of the tub.)

They do make 'proportional heaters' that turn the heater on 40% or 68% or whatever is needed to achieve the target, but these are harder to find and more costly.

As for the mat- you can try selling it on Amazon or someplace similar... assuming no one here would want it.

The Zoomed Rheostat is not a thermostat, it will not turn anything on or off. It allows you to control the heat proportionally, all be it manually. It is basically a dimmer.

Can I use this with my CHE as well?!?

Yes.

 

[DanaLachney]

The Zoomed Rheostat is not a thermostat, it will not turn anything on or off. It allows you to control the heat proportionally, all be it manually. It is basically a dimmer.

Yes.

Thank you I will check Petsmart here for one.