UTHs

[JimiSnakes]

What is everyone's take on UTHs? Are they really necessary? I have them, but they seem to burn out every three or four months. This is a pain to return all the time. What is the best one out there? Any ideas? Name brands and opinions on each would be ideal, but I'll take what I can get.

[Adam_Wysocki]

What is everyone's take on UTHs? Are they really necessary? I have them, but they seem to burn out every three or four months. This is a pain to return all the time. What is the best one out there? Any ideas? Name brands and opinions on each would be ideal, but I'll take what I can get.

I've never had a UTH "burn out". Are you talking about human heating pads?

As far as being necessary ... no ... for ball pythons temps 82-84 on one side of the enclosure, 92-94 on the other are all that's necessary ... you can use bulbs, CHE, radiant heat panels, UTH's, or whatever else to generate the temps your snake needs, in the end it really doesn't matter.

Through years of trial and error (I've used every method of heating you can think of over the last 25 years), I like and use belly heat for my entire ball python colony.

-adam

[JimiSnakes]

Adam,

I have been using zoomed UTHs and they are burning out...or maybe it's my makeshift Thermostat doing it now that I think of it. They just die out. What is the type of belly heat you use? Heat tape or pads? Can that type be used on an aquarium? Thanks again man.

Others,
Any tips on making my own thermostat? The one I'm using doesn't have a probe hanging down inside it like I want. I'd buy one, but I know I can build anything if I just get the basics of it down pat. I hate buying something I know I can build or make--just is against my religion or something.

~Jim

[JimiSnakes]

Don't leave me hanging.

[justcage]

You can use any type of undertank heating element on pretty much any cage/rack... You have to take the steps to make sure it is installed properly.. A good thermostat is a must.. The ZooMed UTH's have a thread type heating element encased inside the protective "shell". If they are removed after placing them on a tank with the adhesive backing on the paditself they can become damaged.. There are UTH's that can go in the cage and ones that shoudl really be outside of the cage(without working to make them safe, see link below). Honestly if you pick up some flexwatt and a thermostat you should be fine for years to come..
http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...786#post301786

[Adam_Wysocki]

Don't leave me hanging.

I use flexwatt and Helix thermostats. When it comes to providing the heat my animals need to live, I don't like to screw around.

-adam