Hot rocks.

Yes, I know they are bad, never used one.

But can you use one with a thermostat or dimmer?? I'm just curious.

Yes you could. Most all models just have heat cable inside of them.


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So they are unsafe because they can overheat like crazy, although heat pads can do this too, so would they be safe with a thermostat/dimmer?

In theory, yes. I wouldn't see the point of it though. If you want to up ambient temps, then just add another UTH to the bottom of the other side or onto the back.

What's the application?


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oh it was being used on my friends beardie but I took it away and set it up in a normal beardie set up, basking lamp, etc..

I was just curious if it would make a hot rock safe if used with a dimmer that way rather than saying they are never safe, they can be safe when used properly.

even with a thermostat the thermostat would have to be in the cage to control the temp precisely I'd think unless the thermostat had a remote sensor

The best use for a hot rock is to cut the cord off and use it as a decoration.

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Originally Posted by MarkS

The best use for a hot rock is to cut the cord off and use it as a decoration.

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I second this opinion. I have used them for decoration many times, there are actually some very nice looking ones.

But is it because they are dangerous? I'm just trying to figure out whether or not they are really dangerous, or just dangerous without a thermostat.

Heat rocks, like many things in this hobby, seem to be surrounded by unfounded claims. Everyone says they are dangerous, but yet I dont know anyone who has ever actually used them and had a problem. I know Al Coritz has been using them with a lot of his hots for years. Where does everyone get this information that they are dangerous from? (Besides just from someone else telling them they are dangerous)

@ice#1: what thermostats are you using that DONT have a remote sensor/probe?...

Hi,

From what I remember the problem with hot rocks was not that they couldn't be controled but that, even when controled, they were prone to developing hot spots that reached too high a temp.

But my memory is much like the marsh butterfly - all brightly coloured, flits prettily hither and thither but is, sadly, almost totally extinct. :oops:


dr del

Quote:

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Originally Posted by anthonym

Heat rocks, like many things in this hobby, seem to be surrounded by unfounded claims. Everyone says they are dangerous, but yet I dont know anyone who has ever actually used them and had a problem. I know Al Coritz has been using them with a lot of his hots for years. Where does everyone get this information that they are dangerous from? (Besides just from someone else telling them they are dangerous)

@ice#1: what thermostats are you using that DONT have a remote sensor/probe?...

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They are just experts, what would they know ;)

http://www.anapsid.org/hotrock.html



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From what I understand, hot rocks are bad for beardies because bearded dragons can't sense heat on their bellies and will just sit there and let their bellies burn. They like to bask under lights so they can spread out and flatten to absorb the UV rays.

I have a friend who used to have a ball python who if you moved her coils around in a certain way you could see what type of hot rock used to be in it's cage because it was branded into her belly. I've been helping out with my herp societies adoption program for many years and I've seen a number of snakes with bad burns due to hot rocks. They do develop hot spots and it is hard to regulate temperatures with them, there may be some safe ways to use hot rocks, but why chance it when there are so many other ways to heat your reptiles that have been proven safe?

I have a friend who used to have a ball python who if you moved her coils around in a certain way you could see what type of hot rock used to be in it's cage because it was branded into her belly. I've been helping out with my herp societies adoption program for many years and I've seen a number of snakes with bad burns due to hot rocks. They do develop hot spots and it is hard to regulate temperatures with them, there may be some safe ways to use hot rocks, but why chance it when there are so many other ways to heat your reptiles that have been proven safe?