Heating question.

I got a new tank not too long ago and i asked about it when i first set it up but got no response. so here is my question. will a heat pad or flexwatt work on a metaframe tank (slate bottom)? Has anyone done it? I don't see why it wouldn't work stone is an excellent heat conductor but who knows. I have seen people use slate tiles with a uth under it. any ideas?

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Originally Posted by Maverick67

I got a new tank not too long ago and i asked about it when i first set it up but got no response. so here is my question. will a heat pad or flexwatt work on a metaframe tank (slate bottom)? Has anyone done it? I don't see why it wouldn't work stone is an excellent heat conductor but who knows. I have seen people use slate tiles with a uth under it. any ideas?

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I dont see why not, but how well it works may depend on how thick the slate is. On the other hand we've all been told to not use Heat Rocks, and to me it seems like the same thing... just my :2cent:

As long as you use a temperature controller I think it will work very well with flexwatt or a heat mat. The reason hot rocks are so bad is because there is no controller and they get too hot. Any heat source that you use needs some sort of temp controller and a reliable way to check the temps on the heat source not just ambient air temps.

as long as u use a thermostat to control it it will be ok. i would set up about a day or two before to make sure u get the bottom up to the the right temp without over heating and make sure it holds steady. i know a lot of people that setup their beardie tanks this way and the lil guys love it.

why are u using slate on the bottom of ur enclosure for ur snake? its gonna be hard to clean and it isnt really recommended. i have found that simpler is better for all involved

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Originally Posted by mpkeelee

as long as u use a thermostat to control it it will be ok. i would set up about a day or two before to make sure u get the bottom up to the the right temp without over heating and make sure it holds steady. i know a lot of people that setup their beardie tanks this way and the lil guys love it.

why are u using slate on the bottom of ur enclosure for ur snake? its gonna be hard to clean and it isnt really recommended. i have found that simpler is better for all involved

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I plan on using a thermostat with it and I got a slate bottom tank off of craigslist for cheap. I didt realie it was untill I went to go pick it up. Cleaning it isn't that bad. Its not slate place on the bottom of the tank the slate is the bottom.

as long as it heats evenly and doesnt have hotspots and cool spots, and u can clean it good then it shouldnt be too bad. you may want to think of putting paper towels down for when they pee or poo, i dont know how thats gonna be with just the slate in there.

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Originally Posted by mpkeelee

as long as it heats evenly and doesnt have hotspots and cool spots, and u can clean it good then it shouldnt be too bad. you may want to think of putting paper towels down for when they pee or poo, i dont know how thats gonna be with just the slate in there.

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I use eco earth substrate on top of it so its not just the slate. Once its set up with a uth I will check for hotspots.

ur gonna have ur thermometer probe underneath ur substrate on the slate right? if u dont have a temp gun u can get them at home depot pretty cheap, they are great for checking for hot spots

Yes of corse I will have a probe under the substrate.

so what do you think will be more effective the uth or flexwatt?

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Originally Posted by Maverick67

so what do you think will be more effective the uth or flexwatt?

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im getting some flexwatt for when i get home, but those are for the rack i have. the tubs just slide right over it so thats why flexwatt is good, but for the tank i guess it depends on how it sits. u may want to go with the UTH so u can stick it on and peel it off for cleaning. unless the bottom of the tank can sit directly on the flexwatt

well i was thinking foil taping the flexwatt to the bottom of the tank

that would work but you would have to peel the flexwatt off to clean which might damage it and it could become a pain, which you would have to do with a UTH but i have never had any problems peeling off a UTH again and again.

Why would i peel it off for cleaning? it will be underneath the tank. i can just leave it attached but unplugged.

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Originally Posted by Maverick67

Why would i peel it off for cleaning? it will be underneath the tank. i can just leave it attached but unplugged.

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it depends how u clean. i take my tubs and put them in the bathtub and let them soak for a lil bit so the germs are killed. but u dont want to fully submerge the UTH.

With a 40 gal. tank its not as easy to just throw it in the tub to soak. I don't think it will be an issue. The tank does get a good cleaning and disinfecting about once every month or if it needs it sooner and of course spot cleans as needed.