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Zoo Med UTH question?

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  • 10-31-2012, 09:42 AM
    MrBrute
    Zoo Med UTH question?
    Ok so I'm going to buy me a nice ole sterilite tub today from wally world and was wondering....will this be ok to use? I was told long ago to put foil over the pad, just incase i wanted to use it on another tub/tank in the future. Because I know once you stick it to something, you can't take it off. So suggestions?
  • 10-31-2012, 09:54 AM
    Kaorte
    As long as you have a thermostat controlling the heat mat you are fine.

    You don't have to put foil on it, you can just leave the coating on the adhesive.
  • 10-31-2012, 10:00 AM
    MrBrute
    Re: Zoo Med UTH question?
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Kaorte View Post
    As long as you have a thermostat controlling the heat mat you are fine.

    You don't have to put foil on it, you can just leave the coating on the adhesive.

    so...so what thermostate do you suggest?
  • 10-31-2012, 10:03 AM
    The Serpent Merchant
    A Zoo-med UTH will be fine, but must be regulated by a thermostat and monitered with a probed thermometer. Without a thermostat the UTH can and will get hot enough to kill your snake, and could even melt the tub.

    Stay away from thermostats sold in petstores as they are overpriced junk.

    Here are 3 good thermostats depending on your budget:

    Cheap: http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000NZZG3S

    Mid-Range: http://www.reptilebasics.com/ranco-etc-111000-pre-wired

    Best: http://spyderrobotics.com/home/products.html

    Here is a good thermometer. It can be purchased at Walmart for $12. It has 2 temperature sensors as well as a humidity sensor. Simply place the probe on the hot side directly over the UTH and place the unit on the cool side.

    http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/...nt/photo-3.jpg

    Putting foil over the sticky side of the UTH is a good idea.

    Remember that UTH's don't heat the air in the cage all that much. This means that if the room the cage is in gets too much below 75 degrees a secondary heat source (like a space heater or heat lamp) will be necessary.
  • 10-31-2012, 10:08 AM
    MrBrute
    Re: Zoo Med UTH question?
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by The Serpent Merchant View Post
    A Zoo-med UTH will be fine, but must be regulated by a thermostat and monitered with a probed thermometer. Without a thermostat the UTH can and will get hot enough to kill your snake, and could even melt the tub.

    Stay away from thermostats sold in petstores as they are overpriced junk.

    Here are 3 good thermostats depending on your budget:

    Cheap: http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000NZZG3S

    Mid-Range: http://www.reptilebasics.com/ranco-etc-111000-pre-wired

    Best: http://spyderrobotics.com/home/products.html

    Here is a good thermometer. It can be purchased at Walmart for $12. It has 2 temperature sensors as well as a humidity sensor. Simply place the probe on the hot side directly over the UTH and place the unit on the cool side.

    http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/...nt/photo-3.jpg

    Putting foil over the sticky side of the UTH is a good idea.

    Remember that UTH's don't heat the air in the cage all that much. This means that if the room the cage is in gets too much below 75 degrees a secondary heat source (like a space heater or heat lamp) will be necessary.

    so what brand UTH do you suggest? Thanks!

    - - - Updated - - -

    I was looking to get this

    http://www.ebay.com/itm/Zoo-Med-Rept...10969735433%26

    - - - Updated - - -

    This is what I use now on one of my tanks. Would this work also?

    http://www.bigappleherp.com/Big-Appl...=2&category=14
  • 10-31-2012, 10:09 AM
    kitedemon
    Personally with a single tub as it has no mass I would not suggest a on/off that makes the spyder robotics as the clear option. The best UTH I have ever used is the ultratherm as they bring a extra safety due to the low max temps.
  • 10-31-2012, 10:12 AM
    The Serpent Merchant
    Re: Zoo Med UTH question?
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by MrBrute View Post
    so what brand UTH do you suggest? Thanks!

    - - - Updated - - -

    I was looking to get this

    http://www.ebay.com/itm/Zoo-Med-Rept...10969735433%26

    - - - Updated - - -

    This is what I use now on one of my tanks. Would this work also?

    http://www.bigappleherp.com/Big-Appl...=2&category=14

    I would get one of these and one of the 3 thermostats I suggested in my last post:

    http://m.petsmart.com/mt/www.petsmar...AvailInUS%2FNo
  • 10-31-2012, 10:15 AM
    MrBrute
    Re: Zoo Med UTH question?
    thanks
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by kitedemon View Post
    Personally with a single tub as it has no mass I would not suggest a on/off that makes the spyder robotics as the clear option. The best UTH I have ever used is the ultratherm as they bring a extra safety due to the low max temps.

  • 10-31-2012, 12:12 PM
    kitedemon
    The link to the variable temp mat that should also work I have never used one but the Idea is sound it is likely a step resistor so you can set the wattage to allow the T-stat to deliver correct temps but choosing a setting that will keep a 'run a way' inside a safe level. The Ultratherm is similar, intellitemp, kane also do not become super hot usually 10-20ºF over the room temp. I have a couple of zoo meds and exoterra I don't like the exos at all. The zoo meds I have I am in the process of replacing with lower heating units. Things can and do go wrong having a heater that is simply not going to get hot enough to cause burns under any circumstances increases the safety level dramatically. The 'new breed ' of UTH many have this feature the old school types (zoo med) do not. It seems a good idea to increase the level of safety as much as is feasible.
  • 10-31-2012, 12:14 PM
    MrBrute
    Re: Zoo Med UTH question?
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by kitedemon View Post
    The link to the variable temp mat that should also work I have never used one but the Idea is sound it is likely a step resistor so you can set the wattage to allow the T-stat to deliver correct temps but choosing a setting that will keep a 'run a way' inside a safe level. The Ultratherm is similar, intellitemp, kane also do not become super hot usually 10-20ºF over the room temp. I have a couple of zoo meds and exoterra I don't like the exos at all. The zoo meds I have I am in the process of replacing with lower heating units. Things can and do go wrong having a heater that is simply not going to get hot enough to cause burns under any circumstances increases the safety level dramatically. The 'new breed ' of UTH many have this feature the old school types (zoo med) do not. It seems a good idea to increase the level of safety as much as is feasible.

    Thanks!
  • 10-31-2012, 12:20 PM
    snakesRkewl
    on/off thermostats work fine, not my choice but they work fine.
    flexwatt blows away ultratherms for cost and for heating

    Do know that tubs on their own are not escape proof, you will need something to hold the lid down.
    Many many escapes have happened due to people(me included) trusting the lids to hold them in.
    This includes locking lid tubs ;)
  • 10-31-2012, 12:28 PM
    MrBrute
    Re: Zoo Med UTH question?
    I was going to get this http://www.walmart.com/ip/Sterilite-...Quart/19868700
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by snakesRkewl View Post
    on/off thermostats work fine, not my choice but they work fine.
    flexwatt blows away ultratherms for cost and for heating

    Do know that tubs on their own are not escape proof, you will need something to hold the lid down.
    Many many escapes have happened due to people(me included) trusting the lids to hold them in.
    This includes locking lid tubs ;)

  • 10-31-2012, 12:31 PM
    Kaorte
    Re: Zoo Med UTH question?
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by snakesRkewl View Post
    on/off thermostats work fine, not my choice but they work fine.
    flexwatt blows away ultratherms for cost and for heating

    Do know that tubs on their own are not escape proof, you will need something to hold the lid down.
    Many many escapes have happened due to people(me included) trusting the lids to hold them in.
    This includes locking lid tubs ;)

    Really? I've trusted plain old locking lid tubs for years..no escapes. Which kind of tub did you experience an escape in? Was it a bigger snake?
  • 10-31-2012, 12:41 PM
    MrBrute
    Re: Zoo Med UTH question?
    what type do you use?
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Kaorte View Post
    Really? I've trusted plain old locking lid tubs for years..no escapes. Which kind of tub did you experience an escape in? Was it a bigger snake?

  • 10-31-2012, 12:42 PM
    3skulls
    I have had sand boas get out of locking tubs. Some brands are weaker in the middle than others.
    I have used C clamps on some rehab snakes in locking tubs, just in case.
  • 10-31-2012, 12:43 PM
    PitOnTheProwl
    They can push up the tub in the middle:gj:
    You can use clips, bungee cord or a tie down strap to solve that problem though.
  • 10-31-2012, 01:18 PM
    snakesRkewl
    34qt sterilites(green or brown handles) they bowed a lot in the middle.
    41qt sterilite ultras on sub adults and adults, they are definitely not escape proof.
    6qt sterilite pop tops, those are the worst.
    The old style 7qt locking lid sterilites work pretty safely for hatchlings but larger tubs need assistance to be sure they can't escape.

    There is a few that might be stronger than others, but I wouldn't trust any of them without something else keeping the lid down tight.

    (I haven't tried the newest styles of locking lid tubs since I use xpvc and melamine racks now)

    - - - Updated - - -

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by MrBrute View Post

    The 25qt one seems fairly strong, but I can't vouch for it as I haven't tried it.
    I think it's much safer to take a bookshelf and nail the shelves to where the tub slides into it and keeps the lid firmly in place...

    You can do this with any sized tubs and do different sized tubs on different shelves.
    Much safer than just a tub on the counter...I think this used shelf cost me $5 ;)
    http://i968.photobucket.com/albums/a...amineshelf.jpg
  • 10-31-2012, 01:28 PM
    3skulls
    Look up Really Useful Boxes.
    Very strong, locking lid. A rack made to use these would be awesome.
    I do have some very young carpets in them, nothing helping to keep the lids on.
  • 10-31-2012, 01:29 PM
    MrBrute
    I'll take a pic when i buy it today.
  • 10-31-2012, 01:30 PM
    3skulls
  • 10-31-2012, 01:34 PM
    snakesRkewl
    Re: Zoo Med UTH question?
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by 3skulls View Post

    A bit expensive but for a few snakes those look pretty safe :gj:
  • 10-31-2012, 04:24 PM
    MrBrute
  • 10-31-2012, 05:48 PM
    snakesRkewl
    those lids will not hold anything but a hatchling in, and maybe not even that.
    Those work great in a rack, or in a shelf set up, but not just sitting on top of a heat pad.
  • 10-31-2012, 07:37 PM
    3skulls
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by snakesRkewl View Post
    A bit expensive but for a few snakes those look pretty safe :gj:

    Yeah they can be but very strong. Office Depot sells them if you have one local.
    I keep a lot of my tarantulas in them.
  • 10-31-2012, 07:45 PM
    3skulls
  • 10-31-2012, 07:50 PM
    arialmt
    Heads up, Reptile Basics is finally re-stocked with all sizes of Ultratherm heat pad. I like them (the style of pad) better than the ZooMed / Exo-Terras or the Ultratherms carried at Beanfarm (still a great store). The elements appear to be solid and not "striped" making probe placement more idiot proof. AAMOF :) I just got one (11x17) in for corn snake of the house today and it was not "striped" like flexwatt or the Utratherms I got from BF.

    *The elements appear to be solid and not "striped" making probe placement more idiot proof.* - looking for conformation or correction here btw you guys.
  • 10-31-2012, 08:22 PM
    MrBrute
    Re: Zoo Med UTH question?
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by snakesRkewl View Post
    those lids will not hold anything but a hatchling in, and maybe not even that.
    Those work great in a rack, or in a shelf set up, but not just sitting on top of a heat pad.

    so what could I use to lock is tighter? Im only gettin 1 snake.

    - - - Updated - - -

    what type of tubs are those?
  • 10-31-2012, 08:32 PM
    kitedemon
    Those are really useful boxes they do have the best lids I have ever seen I don't know if I would trust the 100% however. I agree with Jerry flexwatt cheaper and easier if you have a bunch of tubs but one, no the added safety of ultratherm or intellitemp have it all over flexwatt and with a single animal it isn't easier to wire flexwatt at all.

    I don't like on off units full stop, they are ok if you have stable room temps, with indirect heat or really heavy enclosures. I don't feel the nature is wise with thin material in unstable room temps that are common among fist snake owners whom choose tubs. Tanks they are fine, plastic enclosures and racks but single tubs are to thin and too directly attached to buffer the cycles of temp. Especially with the units designed to heat dirt where the probe is heavy and slow to respond.
  • 10-31-2012, 08:51 PM
    3skulls
    http://www.reallyusefulproducts.co.uk/usa/

    Really Useful Box

    I could see a smaller snake getting out of a larger box, they have a vented type of lid. I don't think a BP could ever get out if locked. I see no bend in the lid. But you are right, nothing is 100%

    I have had snake open racks.

    A bit more on topic. I use a strip of flexwatt under that type of tub. I did add tiny little bumper feet so it's not sitting right on it. Sit 2 or 3 tubs side by side.
    I also have the smallest zoomed pad on the side of one I raise roaches in.
  • 11-01-2012, 06:40 AM
    PitOnTheProwl
    Re: Zoo Med UTH question?
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by MrBrute View Post
    so what could I use to lock it tighter?

    Thought I answered that a couple post ago:confusd::confusd:

    Quote:

    Originally Posted by PitOnTheProwl View Post
    You can use clips, bungee cord or a tie down strap to solve that problem though.

    I did I did
    http://i358.photobucket.com/albums/o...eetybird33.gif
  • 11-04-2012, 09:59 PM
    MrBrute
    Re: Zoo Med UTH question?
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by The Serpent Merchant View Post
    I would get one of these and one of the 3 thermostats I suggested in my last post:

    http://m.petsmart.com/mt/www.petsmar...AvailInUS%2FNo

    had to go back lol thanks man!
  • 11-05-2012, 03:19 AM
    kitedemon
    I have a couple zoo meds they are fine. In a max temp test (no snake bare enclosure plug it in to the wall unregulated and watch and wait to see what happens) I stopped testing at 163ºF. The ultratherm (intellatemp/kane/others?? I only know these three) in the same test hit 98º and sat there for 18 hours. It is nice to know that if things go very wrong you have unhappy snakes rather than roasted snakes. When there is safer alternatives why not use them? It is silly not to. There are safer alternatives to the zoo med UTH.
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