Under Tank Heater on Plastic Bins?

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Originally Posted by Shelby

This prompts another question.. is there any way to unstick an UTH from a tank?

So it's okay to use an UTH when the adhesive backing hasn't been removed?

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As for unsticking ... you should be able to do it if you are careful. I think i remember reading about someone here doing that.

As for the adhesive backing ... i honestly have no idea. I've never used one of those kinds of UTH's. I have always just used the $12 human heating pads from WalMart. Have you read the directions and warnings on the back of the UTH packaging?

I have several tubs with regular heat pads that where previous used for glass enclosures. I have had no issues with melting, nothing even leading to melting such as discoloration of the plastic where it makes contact. Most of my pads have little stick left on them but I move things around often so its no problem for me, it does take some effort to pull off a well situated heat pad though.

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This prompts another question.. is there any way to unstick an UTH from a tank?

So it's okay to use an UTH when the adhesive backing hasn't been removed?

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I have removed a UTH from a 20 gallon breeder I had and used it on one of my 40 gallon breeders with no problem. Stuck to the other tank just fine. When you start removing it just do it slowly and carefully.

$12 heating pad sounds nice.. better than $20 for a herp heating pad. I swear, if it's for reptiles, they think they can make it twice as expensive. lol

I can't remember what the warnings say on the UTH.. but they always assume you're a complete idiot when they write those.

I may try removing my heating pads.. I'd really like to have my glass tanks back for fish, and I can move my snakes to the rubbermaid bins. They'll be happier too probably, will feel more secure in translucent plastic rather than clear glass.

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Originally Posted by Shelby

Has anyone tried putting the regular herp pads on a rubbermaid bin?

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Yes, and it didn't melt it but it did warp it. I stick w/ human heating pads now.

Is there any reason you'd want to use herp heating pads rather than human heating pads?

If i stick the uth on cement floor and but a plastic tub over but leave space between for air circulation will it be ok im just trying to breed crickets for my bearded dragon and my leopard gecko just asking

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Originally Posted by Cristianortiz

If i stick the uth on cement floor and but a plastic tub over but leave space between for air circulation will it be ok im just trying to breed crickets for my bearded dragon and my leopard gecko just asking

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Yes, it'll be fine. I'd strongly recommend using a dimmer switch, rheostat, or thermostat though.

Having said that, next time I'd recommend starting a new thread for your question rather than bumping a thread that's nearly a teenager. ;)

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Originally Posted by Shelby

$12 heating pad sounds nice.. better than $20 for a herp heating pad. I swear, if it's for reptiles, they think they can make it twice as expensive. lol

I may try removing my heating pads.. I'd really like to have my glass tanks back for fish, and I can move my snakes to the rubbermaid bins. They'll be happier too probably, will feel more secure in translucent plastic rather than clear glass.

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It's crazy how stores mark prices up for reptile/fish/animal supplies in general. I was buying some shrimp for my fish a while back and happened to notice a bag of shrimp while walking past the turtle stuff in the store. Same EXACT freeze-dried shrimp in a different package, but twice as much product for almost the same price!!! So now I shop around other sections before buying...

As far as removing heat pads, just go slow and be careful. From what I understand, those little heating coils/wires are extremely fragile and can break and not function properly if broken. Haven't experienced that personally, but have read a few different people say that has happened to them. Good luck!

Instead of sticking the UTH to the tank, I stick it to aluminum foil. Go slowly so the foil doesn't get wrinkled. Then just use heat tape to stick the UTH to the bin or cage bottom. I also put the probe on the mat before putting on the foil; that way, the probe doesn't dislodge. Use a t-stat.
If your UTH is melting or discoloring your bin, it is too hot. People are 98.6 and we don't melt the bins. A car trunk in summer hits 100 easily and the bins don't melt.