Your one stop reptile community - Another Heating ? Need recommondation Please!!!

Blueeheeler · #1 (**permalink**) 11-19-2002, 11:22 PM

I have a 70 gallon reptile tank that I need to by an new UTH for. what kind is better?

Steady Temps or fluxuating?

I have been looking at 2 kinds in general but I am open to suggestions.

T-Rex Cobra Heat Pads - Fixed 100 degree temp NOT TO GO FOR NIGHT, RIGHT?
Fluker's Under Tank Heating Pads - 20 degrees above room temp
Zoo Med Heating Pads - 5 to 10 degrees above room temp

I think these temps are accurate, but if not please let me know.

What kind is better? What kind do you use?

Thanks, Jamie

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morti · #2 (**permalink**) 11-19-2002, 11:36 PM

I personally use the kind you can buy from Wall Mart. The $9 ones. They have a built in rheostat. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_wink.gif[/img]

-Your Sick Uncle Morti.
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LdyDrgn · #3 (**permalink**) 11-19-2002, 11:41 PM

I just use human heat pads from Wal-Mart or Target. Set on medium or low (depending on substrate) Cheaper and easier to control the temps. The other heat mats require an additional purchase of a rheostat. They have a tendency to spike and burn the animal [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_frown.gif[/img]
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jpaulson · #4 (**permalink**) 11-20-2002, 12:00 AM

Hi, and welcome to RTB!! You will find just about all the answers to any of your questions here, and sometimes answers to things you don't want to know about!! [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_lol.gif[/img]

When you start talking about heating, you are opening up a very large discussion. What people use varies upon their set-up, location, animal, ventilation, etc.....and the list goes on. Could you please supply some more details? We could answer your question much more accurately then. Until then, here are my 2 cents:

I use both that you have listed, the T-Rex Cobra mat and the Zoo Med. I leave mine on 24 hours a day. I give the temprature variances by turning off my basking lamps at night. Sometimes I give them a black light, but usually not. (Here is where knowing the rep. you are keeping in the tank is helpful...What are THIER requirements?)

You made reference to **above room temperature**. What is your room temperature? What is your home at? Everyone is different...

Here are some helpful questions that would help us answer better;
1. What are you keeping? What are thier temp requirements?
2. What kind of top do you have? I am assuming it is a screen top, as breeder tanks usually are.
3. What is the temperture where the tank is located?
4. Are you using only one UTH for a 70 breeder? If so, what do you have up top?
5. What are you using for substrate? How deep is it?

As I said at the beginning, these are my 2 cents worth. But, there will be many more here that will agree or disagree with me, or list things that I did not. With all these people putting in their 2 cents, you will be rich soon. (Just an added benefit to being here [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_lol.gif[/img] [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_lol.gif[/img] )

Oh, almost forgot. Zoo Med is a UTH, but the Cobra is a heat mat. It can be placed inside the tank if preferred. They are designed that way, and therefore are much more durable and better sealed.

Once again, welcome and good luck!!!
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Blueeheeler · #5 (**permalink**) 11-20-2002, 02:19 AM

Okay 1st I live in Central California were we have a four seasons. At this point in time my house temp flux is from 60 to 74 without the heater running yet, yes it cold in am but warms nicely for us humans.

1. What are you keeping?

I HAVE A RTB, 3 YRS OLD.

What are thier temp requirements?

75-90+ DEPENDING ON THE HANDLER. MY SNAKE HAS A TEMP IN HER CAGE OF 74IN THE AM WITH AN UTH AND UPPER HEAT BY LAMP THAT COMES ON AT 5 AM TO WARM HER. WHICH THIS LIGHT IS ON A TIMER SET FROM 5 AM - 9 PM.

2. What kind of top do you have? I am assuming it is a screen top, as breeder tanks usually are.

WELL THAT IS WHERE MINE IS DIFFERENT AT THIS TIME SHE IS IN A TEMPORARY CAGE WITH WOOD SIDES AND TOP AND SCREEN FRONT, UNTIL I GET HER TANK FINISHED. THE INFORMATION I AM LOOKING FOR WILL BE FOR HER NEW HOME. WHICH IS A REPTILE TANK ON ITS SIDE FOR MORE FLOOR SPACE AND THE TOP BOTTOM AND SIDES ARE ALL GLASS WITH THE FRONT BEING SCREEN.

3. What is the temperture where the tank is located?

AT THIS TIME IT IS THE SAME TEMP AS MY HOUSE AS IT IS NOT READY FOR HER YET.

4. Are you using only one UTH for a 70 breeder? NO

If so, what do you have up top?

I WILL BE USING LIGHTS INSIDE THE TANK IN A PROTECTIVE CAGE. SINCE NO HEAT CAN BE ONTOP OF THE GLASS FOR FEAR OF IT BREAKING.

5. What are you using for substrate?
SPHAGNUM@ MOSS.

How deep is it?
AS FOR THE DEPTH THAT WAS GOING TO BE ANOTHER ? I HAD FOR ALL OF YOU EXPERTS. I WAS THINK ABOUT MAYBE 2 INCHES DEEP? SO SHE HAS ENOUGH TO BURROW IF SHE WANTS.

Well I hope this is not too long. Sorrrryyy! Thanks, Jamie

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Stormyva · #6 (**permalink**) 11-20-2002, 01:17 PM

Sounds like you are right on track and everyone has given you great information.... but I am going to throw in two more cents to the pot. (Did you hear it drop?)

I would look at using repti-bark, cypress mulch, or aspen as a substrate if you are looking for the natural look. Newspaper or that cage carpet is good also. I imagine the spaghum moss is a bear to keep clean, not to mention always having those stringy bits of stuff all over the cage and floor around the cage.

A little tip for using the repti-bark..... spray it with provent-a-mite or black knight or bake it prior to putting your snake in the cage with it. Repti-bark is famous for carry mites and other little buggies home from the pet store with it. (It may not have any bugs but isnt a quick blast of a spray a whole lot better than trying to de-mite your snake and cage)

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