ok i feel like a de de de

common questions iv tried searching for but for some reason i keep getting no results for....on my uth i took the piece of paper that was stuck to the sticky part off..but i never atttached it to the tank because i read i needed a thermostat..so i got a piece of plastic wrap stuck to it right now...so can i stick something on it so it doesnt stick to my tub when i put it on there?....next question is what if i dont have a saudering iron..is there any other way i can make the holes for the tub that will be smooth? and how many holes should i start out with? and the last question is what kind of tape do i use to tape the uth down..i have seen this answer before but i can not find the thread for it..i am sorry im asking stupid repetitive questions..but im tired of my tank..its a pain int he butt to get off my entertainment center just to get my baby out..or too change his water or feed him...so i bought a tub and want to get it fixed up for him....if im searching wrong please tell me...i keep typin uth in the search section...or under tank heater questions and i get nothing..thank you in advance

No question is ever stupid. ;) If you are experiencing problems with the search feature it is likely because there are /too many/ hits for it to easily display them all. I've had the same problem on several occasions this evening. No worries. :)

I'm not sure what you might cover the sticky part of the UTH with so that it doesn't stick to your tub. I'd venture to guess Aluminum Tape, which is the high heat resistance tape used on dryers and the like, and also the tape used to attach UTHs to the bottom of tubs/tanks because of said heat resistance. Just remember that the tub will still need to be lifted slightly using the little rubber feet to allow the heat to escape.

A soldering iron is the easiest way to do it by far. You can get one for around $6 at Walmart. That's where I got mine. :D As to the holes question, I usually do two rows of holes down the long sides of the tub spaced about an inch apart.

Edit: Link to Walmart page for Soldering Iron -
http://www.walmart.com/ip/30-Watt-So...-Iron/16539504

This isn't the exact one I have, it's a few dollars more, but it will definitely do the job.

I would also highly suggest a Hydrofarm thermostat. Those things are wonderful for one enclosure, and are relatively inexpensive. I got mine off of Amazon for less than $30.

I have made holes in a tub before with a tool on my swiss army knife. How many holes depends on where you are. I would say, start out with a few, add more if needed. Easier to make more holes than to cover up holes. Tubs are definitely better, imo. Definately make sure you have a thermostat on your heat pad/tape. I'm a huge Herpstat fan. Tried a hydrofarm, meh, it will get you by for awhile, but sucks, IMO. Foil tape will stick the heat pad to your tub. Don't know that I would leave plastic wrap stuck to it though. Btw, soldering irons are cheap at Sears.

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Originally Posted by DrDooLittle

I have made holes in a tub before with a tool on my swiss army knife. How many holes depends on where you are. I would say, start out with a few, add more if needed. Easier to make more holes than to cover up holes. Tubs are definitely better, imo. Definately make sure you have a thermostat on your heat pad/tape. I'm a huge Herpstat fan. Tried a hydrofarm, meh, it will get you by for awhile, but sucks, IMO. Foil tape will stick the heat pad to your tub. Don't know that I would leave plastic wrap stuck to it though. Btw, soldering irons are cheap at Sears.

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Herpstats are fantastic! If you can afford one, get one! But if money is an issue a Hydrofarm will work just fine. :) Oh how I wish I could afford a Herpstat right now. *sigh* Maybe for Christmas. ;)

well i finaly ordered a hydrofarm thermostat off of amazon....just dont know what to do about the uth...heat resistant tape...could i find this at walmart also or a lowes or do i need to order it off line somewere? i defintly dont have the money for herpstat...but if i ever get any more snakes that would be my first investment.


btw thank you for your advice...i well defintly start out out with a couple holes and see how it goes for a day or so before adding more

Lowes should carry the tape. I have got it there before. I believe Rich over at Reptile Basics carries it too.

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Originally Posted by melodyb1985

well i finaly ordered a hydrofarm thermostat off of amazon....just dont know what to do about the uth...heat resistant tape...could i find this at walmart also or a lowes or do i need to order it off line somewere? i defintly dont have the money for herpstat...but if i ever get any more snakes that would be my first investment.


btw thank you for your advice...i well defintly start out out with a couple holes and see how it goes for a day or so before adding more

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You can buy the Aluminum Heat Tape at Walmart as well. :) It's pretty cheap. I have a roll that I've used for attaching my UTHs. However, I attached my UTH directly to the tub bottom once it was hooked up to the Hydrofarm and didn't have any problems that way. I just keep the tape around to keep it attached in the likely event that the "sticky" part on the UTH dries out...which mine have. :rolleyes: