ultratherm heat pads

[Carbonsnake]

Just curious if anyone had any thoughts or knowledge of the ultratherm heat pads, they say you don't need a thermostat with it, not real sure how much I would trust it.

[Lorgakor]

They get just as hot as heat tape, I would not use one without a thermostat. That being said, they are great heat mats. And who is "they" who say you don't need one?

[SlitherinSisters]

I haven't heard of them. I don't see how there could be a heat pad that doesn't need a thermostat though. There is nothing regulating a heat pad without a thermostat so when the house fluctuates in temp, so do the temps in the tub/tank because the heat mat is still using the same amount of energy.

-just checked them out. It says that it can be used without a thermostat since they have low wattage. They run 95 degrees, but if your room temps fluctuate you need something to regulate that.

[AK907]

And who is "they" who say you don't need one?

Probably the company.

I have a couple and I've tested how hot they get and both never got hotter than low 90's. Still, I would NOT trust using them without a thermostat. Better safe than sorry.

[Sean Lyle]

we have a couple of the 6 x 23 inch or something like that and ours get to around 110 easy with out a themostat so i would say they work great but you need a thermostat to use

[Carbonsnake]

I was sure I wouldn't get away without the thermostat, but I thought they might be nice just to plug into a thremostat and be done with it, no wireing up heat tape and all that.

[ShockBunny]

I have 2 Ultratherms and love 'em. I use them with these:
http://www.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-MTPR...1409180&sr=8-2

Decent thermostat for under $30, and everything's worked great so far. I'll use heat tape and a nicer thermostat when I get a rack set up, but for single enclosures this setup has worked well for me so far.

[Carbonsnake]

I have been hunting for a good affordable thermostat, just ordered 3 of these things. Thanks for the tip!

[ShockBunny]

No problem. XD I was so excited when I found those.

[Evenstar]

I use the ultratherms. I have gotten mine from Reptile Basics. You absolutely DO need to use a thermostat. These pads can easily approach 110 in no time. Having said that, I love these pads and will only get these if I need a UTH. Forget ZooMed. Some of the reasons I like the ultratherms: you can use foil tape to attach them to the bottom of your enclosures (no self-sticking), they do not get as hot as ZooMed so no worries about overheating, you can "sandwich" them beween your tub and stand/rack with no problems (do that with a ZooMed and you're asking for trouble - yes speaking from experience). These are nice pads for affordable prices, but please DO use that t-stat!!!