Undertank Heating

[PoisonOrchid]

Hello again. I have another question
Juno(my leopard) will be coming indoors this winter and living in a 30 gal breeder tank in the garage(because my mom doesn't like the way she smells)(which is about 20 F warmer than the outside temp in the winter). I will use some all natural organic soil mixed with coco fibre in her tank as a substrate. I will use about 2 inches of it.
For heat, I will have an undertank heater. My parents oppose the idea of using a lamp(bad experience). I do however have an aquarium light strip that I might be able to use if I can convice my parental units(this will help her figure out day/night). I will supplement her feeding so she gets the same needed nutrients as a normal sunny day may have. I will take her outside to graze on warmer/sunnier days. It doesn't snow here or freeze, so I think she will be fine. She also will have a humid hidey house and be misted daily. Also, the top will be covered for humidity retention, but open enough for air circulation. The sides will have some

My question is, will the undertank heater be fine. I ask because I've seen people with larger torts in sheds using just a pig mat for warmth.
Also, we park the car in the garage. Will Juno be fine in there? Our garage is attached to the house, and the house door leading to the garage is usually open an inch or two.
Thanks

 

[Tony the tank]

Those under tank heaters don't put out much heat..add the soil and none of the heat is going to reach the tort...

What type of tort?? If it's a sulcata..you need to keep the temp in the 80s..so either a CHE , MVB or heat lamp....

Where are you located ?

 

[bikerchicspain]

Those under tank heaters don't put out much heat..add the soil and none of the heat is going to reach the tort...

What type of tort?? If it's a sulcata..you need to keep the temp in the 80s..so either a CHE , MVB or heat lamp....

Where are you located ?

I agree, you would be better of with a ceramic heater, they heat up the ambient really well, i combine mine with a uva/b bulb (MVB).

You will get better results all round!

 

[PoisonOrchid]

Where would the ceramic heater go? Outside the tank? Cause if it goes inside, Juno can get a bad burn. I know they have personal ceramics for really cheap. Like $20.
She is a leopard torty.

Also
what about the car being parked? Will she be safe?

 

[bikerchicspain]

Why not make a tort table or use a rabbit cage, then you can hang things wherever you want them!

 

[PoisonOrchid]

Because my parents said that we should use the tank. lol
Plus it'll hold humidity in. Along with that, we wont have much room in the garage, but the tank is good for a temporary enclosure.

 

[StudentoftheReptile]

Personally, I would never use an UTH as a primary (or sole) heat source for a tortoise, but I have found that it does seem to help keep moisture in the bottommost layers of substrate with my redfoots, as the heat lamps dry out the top layers some.