Heating Problem

I have two glass aquariums. Both are turned on their sides so they measure 1. 21d x 48l x 12h and 2. 18d x 36l x 12h. (It's what I had available at the time. Will be moving to Animals Plastics when I have the funds) I have both tanks outside insulted to reduce heat loss. I have ZooMed heat mats mounted under the tanks with night heating bulbs on the same side. This is "suppose to be the warm side but I'm only able to get a max temp of 80. On the cool sides it is running 75. I know this is way too cool. The heating mats aren't transferring enough heat through the substrate. The small cage has aspen shaving and the large I'm using bark. I have a 300 dollar heat thermometer gun I'm using to check temps so I know the temps are accurate. I will spend whatever I have to...to make sure the temps are right (within reason of course). Please help! Thanks in advance for any help!

April

Good Sunday morning!!!

How thick is your substrate? For a uht to be effective. It should be no more than 1/2". Perhaps center the heat lamp on top instead of just one side since there is more area to heat, what watt bulbs are you using? That is a large tank to heat. Perhaps you will need two lamps to get the temps you want/need.

p.s. pics always help. And ya might wanna make sure an ac vent isn't blowing right onto the tank.

Those sound like 40br and 55gal dimensions to me.

The UTHs aren't good for heating the air so supplementing with the bubs is a fine way to go. I would do one of several things:

1. Up the wattage of the bulbs by at least 25w and leave them on 24/7. Alternatively use a day/night cycle with 2 different bulbs on each tank.

2. Try using RHPs. I think AP sells RHPs, and I know reptile basics definitely sells them. Although mounting these will be tricky w/o drilling the glass IMO. And they would also negate needing a UTH.

3. I just noticed you live in FL. You could just open a window in that room and block it off from the rest of the house. ;-)

You are using the thermostat right?

Ok I just checked the substrate. I'm at 1/2" so that is good. I think you both are right about the size of the tank being so large. My bet is that the heat is dissipating too quickly. The other issue my be that the light on top is not radiating heat well through the glass. The light is a 100 watt infrared heat bulb. I wasn't too familiar with the RHPs so I did some research. They are pricey but look like they might be the solution. My concern is that there isn't enough belly heat. I know they need belly heat to aid in digestion. Will an RHP provide the type of heating needed? I also looked a heating tape. Would heating tape provide an increase in heat over the uth? Thanks for both your replies!!!!!

Oh and the thought had crossed my mind! LOL Perfect humidity and heat here in Florida! :D But Momma couldn't take it!

If the UTH isn't putting out temps at 90 then you need a new one. Unregulated, they can easily hit 120+ degrees. You are using a hermostat as well? Critical, you risk your snake being cooked without one. Remember, uth's are only belly heat, do nothing to heat the air. Heat tape will work as well, and no, belly heat s not required but you will find most of us prefer it. Do not use either without a thermostat please!!!!!

Id like to see a pic... Sounds like you ave a glass top on it? Should get a screened one if this is the case.

Yup definitely have rheostats ;) The top is glass however the entire front is screen. I'm trying to get a pic for you now. :)

April

How long have you had the UTH's and have you done anything to damage them like resting the cage on the cords?

So after all the great suggestions here is what I did. I took the smaller tank and stacked it on the longer one. I then put a new 50 - 60 gallon uth under the large tank and a smaller uth between the large and small. I removed some of the substrate in the larger tank. I took the smaller uth I had left over and attached it to the side of the smaller tank on the end. Low and behold ...It
worked! I have 87 degrees in both tanks on the warm side and 75 on the cool in both! Wooohooo! I'll take pics and post as soon as I get home. Thanks again for the great suggestions. I love this place!


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75 is just a hair on the cool side, if you can get it closer to 80-82, you would be in good shape. What is your hotspot temp? That would be the spot inside where the UTH is?

Have you considered covering part of that screen on the front with foil and tape? Would help you hold in both heat and humidity.

That's an excellent idea. The hubby is suppose to be making me sliding doors for the front of the tanks next weekend. We were thinking maybe screen on one side and the other slider would be plexiglass. What do you think? I want to make sure that there is plenty of fresh air but block some of heat from escaping.

I could use a small wattage light to raise the cool side by a couple of degrees. So the next question is...I can insulate the top and sides of the tanks. The tanks back up to a window. I could leave the backs uninsulated so that they have a natural light cycle. The tanks are located in my office (I love watching them while I study at night). Even with an abundance of windows the room is always pretty dark without the lights on. What do you think?


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