Purchasing a new UTH and Thermostat

I'm getting my 20 gal tank ready for when she needs it.

I am looking at getting Hydrofarm MTPRTC Digital Thermostat and Zoo Med ReptiTherm

Should the UTH take up the entire depth of the warm side or should I make it a little smaller and center it in the middle?

Any other suggestions welcome :D

I prefer my uth to be slightly smaller than the "warm side". This creates a central hotspot but the warmth does spread beyond the actual pad. My uth is also right at the end of the enclosure - not centered on the warm side. The hide box on that side is directly over the uth. Placing it at the end seems to create a better thermal gradient.

I also recommend Reptile Basic's Ultratherm UTH. ZooMed's are ok, but the Ultratherm is far superior and the price is the same or better. I use both so I'm speaking from experience.

You also need a thermometer so you'll KNOW what your temps and humidity are. The Accurite is terrific - it measures both the warm side and the cool side and humidity too. About $12 online or at Walmart. Accurite

Hope this helps!

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Originally Posted by Evenstar

I prefer my uth to be slightly smaller than the "warm side". This creates a central hotspot but the warmth does spread beyond the actual pad. My uth is also right at the end of the enclosure - not centered on the warm side. The hide box on that side is directly over the uth. Placing it at the end seems to create a better thermal gradient.

I also recommend Reptile Basic's Ultratherm UTH. ZooMed's are ok, but the Ultratherm is far superior and the price is the same or better. I use both so I'm speaking from experience.

You also need a thermometer so you'll KNOW what your temps and humidity are. The Accurite is terrific - it measures both the warm side and the cool side and humidity too. About $12 online or at Walmart. Accurite

Hope this helps!

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Thank you for the recommendations, I will look into Reptile Basic's UTH. I have that Accurite but I'm not sure how it would measure both warm and cool site. Unless you mean get two or move the probe around.

This is a link to the Accurite people are refering to. It has indoor and outdoor temps and can display them at the same time.
http://www.google.com/products/catal...ed=0CEAQ8wIwAA

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Originally Posted by TheWinWizard

This is a link to the Accurite people are refering to. It has indoor and outdoor temps and can display them at the same time.
http://www.google.com/products/catal...ed=0CEAQ8wIwAA

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Does the Accurite base unit have a built in thermometer as well as the probe?
Then I can keep the base on one side and the probe on the other?

I wouldn't trust the hydrofarm. People have said bad things. If u can't get a herpstat or helix or one of the more expensive one check out reptitemp 500R. I used it and I liked it.

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Originally Posted by Rusky

Does the Accurite base unit have a built in thermometer as well as the probe?
Then I can keep the base on one side and the probe on the other?

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Yes. The unit itself is placed on the cool side. That is the "indoor" temp. The probe is run to the warm side and placed directly on the glass over the UTH and cover with your substrate. That is the "outdoor" temp. The unit itself also measures the humidity. All 3 measurements are shown on the digital display so you can see all 3 at one glance.

I use self-stick velcro to attach the unit to the side of the tank (near the bottom).

You do have to have the correct model of Accurite (see the link I gave you earlier). Not all have the 3 reads.