Ultratherm Heat Mats and Glass Tanks

[WarriorPrincess90]

Quick question I wanted to clear up before purchasing...


Will an Ultratherm heat mat provide adequate heat if attached to the bottom of a glass tank under about an inch of aspen? Or would a Zoomed UTH be better in that instance? I'm already picking up a few things from ReptileBasics and was wondering about Ultratherms vs. Zoomed. I'm also getting another Hydrofarm, so control won't be an issue.

I also normally use black light heat lamps to up ambients a bit, but I've been wondering if that is really necessary with UTHs and a room that is kept at roughly 80 degrees all the time? Just curious. Not the case in my bedroom...where quarantine is...but for those kept in my snake room, I'd like your thoughts.


Thanks in advance guys.

[WarriorPrincess90]

Just to clarify further: Heat Lamps are only used as a supplement to up ambients. I think I'm going to stop using those things unless it's winter as long as the room stays at 80. If I'm wrong though, by all means, correct me! I have read Aaron's post on cage heating, and it is very helpful. I'm sure he could offer further insight in this instance...since we live near eachother. *coughcough* I'm also going to cover the majority of the screen top with foil to help hold heat, so that should help. If it works out well I will do the same for the other three. Right now they are covered with towels...which works...just not well. I have to mist every day to up the humidity.

I'm done rambling now.

[The Serpent Merchant]

I don't think any UTH can be used safely with a substrate layer that thick. to get the top of the substrate hot enough the bottom of the tank will need to be far too hot. I always suggest a substrate layer 1/2" thick or less (the thinner the better)

If your room is 80 degrees and you have a UTH providing a 90 degree hot spot no additional heat sources are necessary. (When I was living in Clearwater and still using glass tanks I found that I didn't need to use a heat lamp, a UTH was all that was necessary)

I will add that i will be back in Clearwater this coming weekend (July 13-16)

[Tfpets]

I have only 1 thing to say about this, zoo med UTH < ANY other heat mat!

[WarriorPrincess90]

I don't think any UTH can be used safely with a substrate layer that thick. to get the top of the substrate hot enough the bottom of the tank will need to be far too hot. I always suggest a substrate layer 1/2" thick or less (the thinner the better)

If your room is 80 degrees and you have a UTH providing a 90 degree hot spot no additional heat sources are necessary. (When I was living in Clearwater and still using glass tanks I found that I didn't need to use a heat lamp, a UTH was all that was necessary)

I will add that i will be back in Clearwater this coming weekend (July 13-16)

Thanks Aaron. I knew you could clear that up in about two seconds.

[WarriorPrincess90]

I will add that i will be back in Clearwater this coming weekend (July 13-16)

Just read this part...I guess I'm getting tired. Yay! I should be around, so if you get bored and want to talk snakes, let me know! lol. I just ordered all the goodies for a new 10gal setup for the little Mojo I'm getting. So thus all the questions. Temperature regulation seems to be a never ending battle with three different kinds of snakes in one room. The Dum likes thick substrate and slightly cooler temperatures. The BPs are happy as long as they are warm. And my BCI prefers it on the warm side as well. *sigh* But everyone seems happy for the time being. It's just been so long since I had such a young snake that I want to make sure everything is absolutely perfect for him before he gets here. You know how that is.

[The Serpent Merchant]

Just read this part...I guess I'm getting tired. Yay! I should be around, so if you get bored and want to talk snakes, let me know! lol. I just ordered all the goodies for a new 10gal setup for the little Mojo I'm getting. So thus all the questions. Temperature regulation seems to be a never ending battle with three different kinds of snakes in one room. The Dum likes thick substrate and slightly cooler temperatures. The BPs are happy as long as they are warm. And my BCI prefers it on the warm side as well. *sigh* But everyone seems happy for the time being. It's just been so long since I had such a young snake that I want to make sure everything is absolutely perfect for him before he gets here. You know how that is.

For sure... and I did add that part with an EDIT

I'm just watching my parents dog while they are out of town for the weekend, so I'm sure I'll have some free time lol.

[JaGv]

[John Bolli]

ive had good luck holding humidity and ambient heat making acrylic or plexi lids for glass tanks. Just drill a few holes in the acrylic or plexi and cut to fit the top of the tank. easy. no need for heat bulbs, just good uth and big water dish. just remember to weigh down the "lid" so they dont push it off the tank and escape. just a thought.

[RetiredJedi]

I originally used an Ultrathem on a glass tank but we had paper substrate and it worked like a charm.