UTH size for 20gal tank

So I have a 20 gal (long) tank. I bought the 10-20 gal Zoo-Med reptitherm UTH. It does a crap job keeping the temps up to snuff. I was wondering if I should toss the smaller one and upgrade to the 30-40 gal UTH maybe that would work better since the heat would spread over a larger area.

The 30-40 gal looks like it will run a little less than half the length of the tank and around 2/3 of the width. Hard to tell exactly since its in the package still, don't want to open it till I'm sure I want to use it.

Any advice on what size UTH would be good for a 20gal tank. The overall dimensions are 30" long x 13" wide, give or take a slight bit.

And yes it will be hooked to a thermostat.

I say there shouldn't be a problem. As long as there is a "warm" side and a "cool" side. Do whatever it takes to get the temperatures where they need to be.

Just my .2

Thanks,

RJ

UTH do not keep up ambient heat. They are good for hot spots.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

i thought that UTH's werent used to regulate temps,,, just for hotspots...
spooky

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by tsy72001

UTH do not keep up ambient heat. They are good for hot spots.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

---

This.

uth isnt going to bring ambient temps up, thats what bulbs do

whats the temps in the room,,, and whats the temps in thetank??
spooky

Temp in the room is on the cool side with winter coming. Temps in the tank are fine currently, around 78-87ish.

I have heat lamps currently. Looking reduce their usage and I have this other UTH sitting here. Trying to decide whether to use it or return it and get my 50 bucks back. So if it would help cut down on the lights needing to be on (thermostat controlled) I was gonna keep it but if not might as well save the money.

Just trying to get an idea if it would make any difference or not before opening this thing, don't imagine they would take it back AFTER its been attached and removed from the tank.

im pretty sure that UTH's wont raise the ambient temp... you said that the room temp was what???? and what kinda "lights " are you using??
thanks
spooky

Room temp varies. Coldest is prob about 70. Right now its warmer. I have 75 watt and 100 watt infrared blubs suspended about 18 inches over the tank. This is what gives me my temp gradient. They come on and off at the same time, the probe for their thermostat is on the hot side.

A UTH would raise the ambient temp SOME. You're putting heat IN the tank which in return raises it a little. Might not be a big difference but should raise it a degree or two.

Thanks,

RJ

Oh and the reason the bulbs are so far away is I have an acrylic covering for the tank top. I don't want it to get too hot. This keeps the temp of the acrylic around 94 at the hottest, I was afraid my snake would stick his tongue through the screen and get burned on the acrylic if it gets too hot.

Voodoo Im making my top now sort of like yours Im making a cut out for my CHE so it is about 2'' above the screen. seemed like a good idea to me maybe you can try it to boost the air temps :)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Vivid

Voodoo Im making my top now sort of like yours Im making a cut out for my CHE so it is about 2'' above the screen. seemed like a good idea to me maybe you can try it to boost the air temps :)

---

My temps and humidity are spot on now. I had to drill a few more rows of holes because the humidity was actually too high.

Actually switched from a piece of plexiglass to that plastic used to cover recessed fluorescent lights. I shattered all my plexiglass and was tired of wasting 20 bucks a sheet. Found this stuff for 6 bucks and its much easier to work with. Its not totally transparent (translucent though) so I don't think it looks as good, but functionality wise, can't beat it.