Heat

Just a quick question that im curious about. I have a heat pad on bottom of tank and then a day/bask bulb. Turn light on day night and leave heat mat on 24/7. If i do this do i need an infared heat bulb at night also for my bp?

Thanks in Advance.

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Originally Posted by blk02ssmonte

Just a quick question that im curious about. I have a heat pad on bottom of tank and then a day/bask bulb. Turn light on day night and leave heat mat on 24/7. If i do this do i need an infared heat bulb at night also for my bp?

Thanks in Advance.

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You should only need one or the other. As long the heat pad gives a suitable basking spot of 86-94F then a light is unnecessary. And of course vise versa...day bulbs can sometimes stress specimens so I prefer to use only infared lights if I am not using a heat pad.

In about 5 seconds we are going to change the topic to humidity so get ready...:rolleyes:

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by blk02ssmonte

Just a quick question that im curious about. I have a heat pad on bottom of tank and then a day/bask bulb. Turn light on day night and leave heat mat on 24/7. If i do this do i need an infared heat bulb at night also for my bp?

Thanks in Advance.

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You should only need one or the other. As long the heat pad gives a suitable basking spot of 86-94F then a light is unnecessary. And of course vise versa...day bulbs can sometimes stress specimens so I prefer to use only infared lights if I am not using a heat pad.

In about 5 seconds we are going to change the topic to humidity so get ready...:rolleyes:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by blk02ssmonte

Just a quick question that im curious about. I have a heat pad on bottom of tank and then a day/bask bulb. Turn light on day night and leave heat mat on 24/7. If i do this do i need an infared heat bulb at night also for my bp?

Thanks in Advance.

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Do you have a thermostat controlling your heat mat?

You could use a ceramic heat emitting bulb instead of the other bulbs, if you feel that you need it (ie: you have a very large tank). I once had a 30 gal for a hatchling with foil on the screen lid, a heat mat on one side & a ceramic bulb on the other. I had a hide 1/2 on the hot spot (heat mat) and aspen bedding deep enough for making burrows on the other side (he made a nice burrow, too!). And 3 water bowls to keep up humidity. I use tubs now, which are way easier.

you can have both. UTH and over head heat from domes..I have both in both my tanks. The overhead heat just makes maintaining the humidity a daily job. Once in the a.m and on time in the p.m before bed,takes literally, 5 mins worth of work.

Also keep my UTH and overhead heat on the same side of the tank.

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Originally Posted by martin82531

Do you have a thermostat controlling your heat mat?

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On larger ones yes for energy efficiency...not on my little 6"X8" ones though. There is no need to add extra water bowels for humidity...if you're using aspen: mist moderately 2-3 times a week, Cypress/coconut: saturate well on a weekly basis, paper products: very light misting every morning if necessary, here in the south I end up doing it about every 2-3 days when I use paper.

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Originally Posted by Physician&Snakes

On larger ones yes for energy efficiency...not on my little 6"X8" ones though. There is no need to add extra water bowels for humidity...if you're using aspen: mist moderately 2-3 times a week, Cypress/coconut: saturate well on a weekly basis, paper products: very light misting every morning if necessary, here in the south I end up doing it about every 2-3 days when I use paper.

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I sure hope you are talking about something other than a t-stat??

My first question as well is: How are you regulating the heat mat?

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Originally Posted by PitOnTheProwl

I sure hope you are talking about something other than a t-stat??

My first question as well is: How are you regulating the heat mat?

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No, thermostats are only used for higher output mats...I did not like installing the damn things, they have been nothing but trouble since I have had them, I have had to completely modify my enclosures...almost had URI on my hands, luckily I check daily and was able to fix things when the damned thing malfunctioned and gave my retic a basking spot of 79F. I never had any issues when I just put the damn pad onto the enclosure in proportion to the out put of heat I desired, bu utility bills speak for themselves and a t-stat was necessary. I finally have them all set to what I want and they are holding heat well...but not as good as me by no means. Smaller heat pads are unregulated because the max temp is 96F.

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Originally Posted by Physician&Snakes

No, thermostats are only used for higher output mats...I did not like installing the damn things, they have been nothing but trouble since I have had them, I have had to completely modify my enclosures...almost had URI on my hands, luckily I check daily and was able to fix things when the damned thing malfunctioned and gave my retic a basking spot of 79F. I never had any issues when I just put the damn pad onto the enclosure in proportion to the out put of heat I desired, bu utility bills speak for themselves and a t-stat was necessary. I finally have them all set to what I want and they are holding heat well...but not as good as me by no means. Smaller heat pads are unregulated because the max temp is 96F.

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They are for ALL heat sources that your retile can come in contact with:mad:
Just because YOU couldn't get a stat set up properly sure doesn't mean you tell other people not to use one.
And just for your information the smaller ones can run up to about 120 degrees.

I can take photos for you and I know you have already seen what a good belly burn looks like from an unregulated heat source.

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Originally Posted by Physician&Snakes

No, thermostats are only used for higher output mats...I did not like installing the damn things, they have been nothing but trouble since I have had them, I have had to completely modify my enclosures...almost had URI on my hands, luckily I check daily and was able to fix things when the damned thing malfunctioned and gave my retic a basking spot of 79F. I never had any issues when I just put the damn pad onto the enclosure in proportion to the out put of heat I desired, bu utility bills speak for themselves and a t-stat was necessary. I finally have them all set to what I want and they are holding heat well...but not as good as me by no means. Smaller heat pads are unregulated because the max temp is 96F.

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Umm...

A thermostat needs be used to control any kind of heat source, regardless of what the output may be. I think this topic has been beat to death with many documented lessons learned from not properly controlling heat sources. It sounds like you do not know how to correctly install them and thus something malfunctioned, which happens a lot with people that do not read the instructions and do the proper research prior to purchasing and installing a thermostat. Purchasing a good thermostat from the start, such as a Herpstat, Helix and/or Vivarium is a good start... an unregulated heat mat is a recipe for disaster.