Heat Pad too HOT!

Hi, just put my new zoo med heat pad on, but it goes all the way up to 105! IS there anyway I can lower the temperature without buying a rheostat? Perhaps, if I tape a whole bunch of heat tape on the heated area followed by the substrate, will that cool things down? Also, I heard newspaper is okay, but I was wondering if catalog/coupon newspapers are okay too?
Help me Please! thanks

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1...atalogId=10053

They have them in the lighting section at Home Depot (not in the Electrical section!), and they're only about $10. I assume cost is the problem with the real rheostats?

I have these dimmers on all my tanks now, and they work pretty well. You have to check the temps and tweak them every other month or so.

Definitely go get a dimmer. No matter what substrate you use there will be the chance that your BP can get under the substrate and reach those high temps. I use paper towels and every so often I find one of my BPs rearranging its tub and hiding under the paper towels. That's why I'm so careful with the UTH temps!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Kuzar

Hi, just put my new zoo med heat pad on, but it goes all the way up to 105! IS there anyway I can lower the temperature without buying a rheostat? Perhaps, if I tape a whole bunch of heat tape on the heated area followed by the substrate, will that cool things down? Also, I heard newspaper is okay, but I was wondering if catalog/coupon newspapers are okay too?
Help me Please! thanks

---

You need to purchase a lamp dimmer like loonunit linked you to ASAP!

105 is WAY too hot!!!

As everyone else already stated, the only way you can get the temp to lower is regulating the power flow to the pad with a dimmer/rheostat, or thermostat.

Not sure if I misread, but were you considering putting tape inside the tank? Just to let you know, there should NEVER be tape used inside of their enclosure... not a pretty sight when they get stuck, as they most likely will. :oops: And yes, definitely buy a dimmer asap!

Dimmers only work in a stable room temperature, get a t-stat even a repti-temp 5000R is better than a rheostat/dimmer in a room that has fluctuating temps.

http://www.amazon.com/Zoo-Med-ReptiT.../dp/B0002AQD9A

ooops double post...

Thats a great idea snakeRkewl:gj:

thanks everyone. I went to home depot and got a lamp light dimmer. It works pretty well, but everytime the temperature changes in my room, the heater gets hotter or colder, so I have to check every hour.