Can I use 2 UTH's on a 20L?

This is just a temp set up for my new adoptee until I get another 40 breeder but I was wondering if I can use 2 safely without cracking the tank. I have a 30-40 gal Zoo Med UTH that I'd like to use in place of the CHE I have. There is a smaller UTH on the other side. The instructions for the new 30-40 gal UTH states 2 should not be used on one tank, since it can crack. It would be used with a dimmer until I get another thermostat here shortly. If I kept it low enough, could I use both UTH's on the 20L? The tank is insulated with foam board but I'm also still concerned about the ambient temp. I was hoping to move my CHE to my other tank, the 40 breeder, since my ambient temp is not where it should be. I haven't insulated the 40 yet, but will be doing that this weekend. Any advice would be helpful, thanks!

Using two UTH's would cover basically the whole tank and cause your BP to unsuccessfully thermoregulate. Tanks are a pain to keep temps and humidity up. Go to your local wal-mart or lowes and buy an appropriately sized rubbermaid container. They are cheap and are great for enclosures. MUCH better than tanks. Then if you have the UTH on a dimmer you can set it under 1/3 to 1/2 of his tub. Then adjust it until you have the right temperature and then move him in. He'll have a much better chance of being healthy in the tub, and you wont have to worry about the temps in the glass tank.

Oh and make sure you solder several holes for air to circulate and to keep humidity at the right range.

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Originally Posted by redstormlax12

Using two UTH's would cover basically the whole tank and cause your BP to unsuccessfully thermoregulate. Tanks are a pain to keep temps and humidity up. Go to your local wal-mart or lowes and buy an appropriately sized rubbermaid container. They are cheap and are great for enclosures. MUCH better than tanks. Then if you have the UTH on a dimmer you can set it under 1/3 to 1/2 of his tub. Then adjust it until you have the right temperature and then move him in. He'll have a much better chance of being healthy in the tub, and you wont have to worry about the temps in the glass tank.

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Thanks but I'm very well aware that most breeders use tubs. My collection of bp's is staying at 2, I have no intention of keeping them in something I can't visually enjoy. I understand the argument against tanks, but I know it IS possible to get the perfect environment in a vivarium. I plan on doing everything I can to make sure they are happy & healthy otherwise, but tubs are a no go for me.

It seems to me that as long as they're set to proper temperatures, there'd be no reason for the tank to crack.

To actually crack a pane of glass from heat, you'd have to have one side get a lot hotter than the other very quickly. Sudden heat changes. Or maybe if you're heating the entire bottom of the tank, the bottom pane of glass could expand enough to press on the outer four panes for something to break.

All really, really unlikely with the temperatures we're dealing with.

Yes you can. I have done it before on a tank I was using. Just like Steve said, as long as each one is maintaining the correct temps, you will be fine...

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Originally Posted by Vypyrz

Yes you can. I have done it before on a tank I was using. Just like Steve said, as long as each one is maintaining the correct temps, you will be fine...

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Thank you. One is also considerably smaller than the other, so I really don't believe it will cover the whole bottom. Like I said it's just temporary until I get a larger enclosure. Do you think my ambient temp will be OK with just the UTH's? That's the only reason I want to use the other UTH on the 20L, so I can move my CHE to my 40, since my ambient is too low in that one. My other temps are good on both, it's just that darn ambient temp!

There are PLENTY of people who use two UTHs on one tank. They don't take up the whole bottom, but close to it.

I would suggest doing this with a thermostat though so the temps are more constant. But since you don't have a thermostat yet, I guess rheostats are better then nothing!

The instructions on the UTH says a lot of things. Like not to use it on plastic, but obviously if you use a thermostat you can do it no problem.

Think about it. The temperatures that we set are heating elements are never much higher then the temperature that the air can be outside. 95*+ summer days are not unheard of and you don't see all the shop windows cracking or all the plastic bins melting!

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Originally Posted by Kaorte

There are PLENTY of people who use two UTHs on one tank. They don't take up the whole bottom, but close to it.

I would suggest doing this with a thermostat though so the temps are more constant. But since you don't have a thermostat yet, I guess rheostats are better then nothing!

The instructions on the UTH says a lot of things. Like not to use it on plastic, but obviously if you use a thermostat you can do it no problem.

Think about it. The temperatures that we set are heating elements are never much higher then the temperature that the air can be outside. 95*+ summer days are not unheard of and you don't see all the shop windows cracking or all the plastic bins melting!

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Thanks, that makes sense. I guess I was concerned because it was mentioned in the instructions & considering the UTH is adhered directly to the glass itself, there is a possibility but it's pretty unlikely. I've been really happy with my 500r thermostat so I'll be getting another soon for the 20L. Thanks again!

When I used tanks, I had a 20 long with two uths and no problems! I had one set at 82 and the other at 92! That will give them the proper heat gradient!

I have a 20 L tank and I use 2 heat pads no problem at all. I just have 2 digital thermometers to make sure each one is a perfect temp. It's not even close to taking up the entire bottom of the tank.