Heating Pad or Heating Lamps?

Hello!
This is kind of a silly post, but what do you guys prefer? And why? I really want to use an Under Tank Heater, but I only use newspaper substrate for my snakes, and I'm afraid it'll burn them. On the other hand, I don't like heating lamps, because they get expensive and they're bright. I've had a lot of people recommend under tank heaters, and a friend who breeds them recommend a heating lamp. Right now they have a small heating pad that doesn't burn them, I'm thinking of getting a 6x8 one for each of my tanks.
Where is a good thermostat, as well? I heard its a good idea to use one for under tank heaters, but all of the ones at petsmart have bad reviews. ^_^;

Snakes need belly heat more than they need overhead heat. UTH mats, flexwatt, radiant heat panels and ALL heat sources need to be regulated by a thermoSTAT so they don't get too hot. If you don't have a thermostat, don't even bother turning on a UTH mat on as they just get way too hot for your snake. You can get a basic thermostat (Hydrofarm) from Amazon for ~$30, but these are not for long term use. Check out Reptile basics (www.reptilebasics.com) or Spyder Robotics for their Herpstat line. I, and many, personally prefer the Herpstat line as they have a much tighter tolerance and safety mechanisms that will turn off the heat source if it gets to hot...

And for the most part, stay AWAY from the big box stores. :gj:

I've been using lamps for years but may be starting to switch to UTHs. I use lamps cause I never had good experiences with UTHs and could never understand why people like them so much. After a different brand was recommended to me, I've started liking them and exploring the possibility of switching my snakes over.

My reasons for switching:

-bulbs are expensive over time(6 of 8 of my enclosures have them)
-it'll cut my electric bill by at least 25%

UTHs should not be used without some type of temperature controller, the cheapest being a dimmer as some people will recommend.

This is an old video I did. hope you enjoy :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNUpj4mYdbI‎

i have a question, i have a UTH but it dosent give me a temperature difference in the tank. seeing as you need both a hot and cold side to your incloser should i also be using a Heat Lamp to get that temperature difference or will the UTH be fine ?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Jay2322

i have a question, i have a UTH but it dosent give me a temperature difference in the tank. seeing as you need both a hot and cold side to your incloser should i also be using a Heat Lamp to get that temperature difference or will the UTH be fine ?

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An uth is to heat the surface, NOT the air. I am guessing you are using the worthless stick on analog gauges?? Digital is the way to go:gj:

ya i am, so i should definitely be going digital eh?

and just to be sure, i shouldnt need the Heat Lamp, i can just be using the UTH and ill be fine?

You don't need to go blow a bunch of money on a fancy thermostat especially if you have one snake. I've been using the hydrofarm for a long time without any issue. I also use one of the crappy zoomed one. The temp setting on it is worthless, but once you get it dialed in it is perfectly fine. Just use a thermometer or heat gun and adjust in small increments till the temp is where you want it.

Bottom line though is an UTH must be regulated, if it is not regulated turn it off. They get way to hot and can easily burn if not kill your snake. Even a cheap dimmer is good enough till you get a thermostat, but it needs to be checked, get a temp gun. They sell crappy ones at the usual pet stores, they work good enough.

A lot of people on here will tell you that the pet store thermometers and hydrofarm thermostats are not accurate enough. I've seen people complain that this one is off by 0.5 degrees, and that one is off by 0.25 degrees, etc. Most of that is a load of bunk. They work good enough. Being off by a smidge isn't that bad. Ball pythons have a range that they are happy in. Doubt they care about that 0.5 degrees. However when it comes to the stick on type thermometers all of the negative stuff you see is true. Do not use them. They are VERY inaccurate but the real problem is they are telling you what the temp of the glass is which is impacted by the temp outside the tank. They are also positioned higher up in the tank than the snake ever is. The temp 6 inches off the floor of the tank is not relevant.

As far as belly heat vs overhead heat. That's like a redneck arguing over Chevy or Ford. In the end it doesn't matter how you get the correct temps but what matters is that you do get the correct temps.

Anyway off my soap box. To answer the OP original question of heating pad or lamp. It just all depends on your situation. An UTH will do nothing for your ambient temps. I find I have to use both because I don't want the room my snake is in to be that hot all the time so I need to raise the ambient inside the tank. Heat lamps will zap your humidity which has its own set of problems, they are possible to mitigate though, you can find lots of posts on here about how to treat the top of your tank, or build your own humidifier posts (I've never found the air pump/water bottle to work well), or even buy one. First get the temps right then work on humidity. If you post pictures it could also help folks on here help you out more and offer suggestions.