Heat

Just a quick question that im curious about. I have a heat pad on bottom of tank and then a day/bask bulb. Turn light on day night and leave heat mat on 24/7. If i do this do i need an infared heat bulb at night also for my bp?

Thanks in Advance.

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Originally Posted by blk02ssmonte

Just a quick question that im curious about. I have a heat pad on bottom of tank and then a day/bask bulb. Turn light on day night and leave heat mat on 24/7. If i do this do i need an infared heat bulb at night also for my bp?

Thanks in Advance.

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You should only need one or the other. As long the heat pad gives a suitable basking spot of 86-94F then a light is unnecessary. And of course vise versa...day bulbs can sometimes stress specimens so I prefer to use only infared lights if I am not using a heat pad.

In about 5 seconds we are going to change the topic to humidity so get ready...:rolleyes:

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Originally Posted by blk02ssmonte

Just a quick question that im curious about. I have a heat pad on bottom of tank and then a day/bask bulb. Turn light on day night and leave heat mat on 24/7. If i do this do i need an infared heat bulb at night also for my bp?

Thanks in Advance.

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You should only need one or the other. As long the heat pad gives a suitable basking spot of 86-94F then a light is unnecessary. And of course vise versa...day bulbs can sometimes stress specimens so I prefer to use only infared lights if I am not using a heat pad.

In about 5 seconds we are going to change the topic to humidity so get ready...:rolleyes:

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Originally Posted by blk02ssmonte

Just a quick question that im curious about. I have a heat pad on bottom of tank and then a day/bask bulb. Turn light on day night and leave heat mat on 24/7. If i do this do i need an infared heat bulb at night also for my bp?

Thanks in Advance.

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Do you have a thermostat controlling your heat mat?

You could use a ceramic heat emitting bulb instead of the other bulbs, if you feel that you need it (ie: you have a very large tank). I once had a 30 gal for a hatchling with foil on the screen lid, a heat mat on one side & a ceramic bulb on the other. I had a hide 1/2 on the hot spot (heat mat) and aspen bedding deep enough for making burrows on the other side (he made a nice burrow, too!). And 3 water bowls to keep up humidity. I use tubs now, which are way easier.

you can have both. UTH and over head heat from domes..I have both in both my tanks. The overhead heat just makes maintaining the humidity a daily job. Once in the a.m and on time in the p.m before bed,takes literally, 5 mins worth of work.

Also keep my UTH and overhead heat on the same side of the tank.

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Originally Posted by martin82531

Do you have a thermostat controlling your heat mat?

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On larger ones yes for energy efficiency...not on my little 6"X8" ones though. There is no need to add extra water bowels for humidity...if you're using aspen: mist moderately 2-3 times a week, Cypress/coconut: saturate well on a weekly basis, paper products: very light misting every morning if necessary, here in the south I end up doing it about every 2-3 days when I use paper.

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Originally Posted by Physician&Snakes

On larger ones yes for energy efficiency...not on my little 6"X8" ones though. There is no need to add extra water bowels for humidity...if you're using aspen: mist moderately 2-3 times a week, Cypress/coconut: saturate well on a weekly basis, paper products: very light misting every morning if necessary, here in the south I end up doing it about every 2-3 days when I use paper.

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I sure hope you are talking about something other than a t-stat??

My first question as well is: How are you regulating the heat mat?

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Originally Posted by PitOnTheProwl

I sure hope you are talking about something other than a t-stat??

My first question as well is: How are you regulating the heat mat?

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No, thermostats are only used for higher output mats...I did not like installing the damn things, they have been nothing but trouble since I have had them, I have had to completely modify my enclosures...almost had URI on my hands, luckily I check daily and was able to fix things when the damned thing malfunctioned and gave my retic a basking spot of 79F. I never had any issues when I just put the damn pad onto the enclosure in proportion to the out put of heat I desired, bu utility bills speak for themselves and a t-stat was necessary. I finally have them all set to what I want and they are holding heat well...but not as good as me by no means. Smaller heat pads are unregulated because the max temp is 96F.

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Originally Posted by Physician&Snakes

No, thermostats are only used for higher output mats...I did not like installing the damn things, they have been nothing but trouble since I have had them, I have had to completely modify my enclosures...almost had URI on my hands, luckily I check daily and was able to fix things when the damned thing malfunctioned and gave my retic a basking spot of 79F. I never had any issues when I just put the damn pad onto the enclosure in proportion to the out put of heat I desired, bu utility bills speak for themselves and a t-stat was necessary. I finally have them all set to what I want and they are holding heat well...but not as good as me by no means. Smaller heat pads are unregulated because the max temp is 96F.

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They are for ALL heat sources that your retile can come in contact with:mad:
Just because YOU couldn't get a stat set up properly sure doesn't mean you tell other people not to use one.
And just for your information the smaller ones can run up to about 120 degrees.

I can take photos for you and I know you have already seen what a good belly burn looks like from an unregulated heat source.

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Originally Posted by Physician&Snakes

No, thermostats are only used for higher output mats...I did not like installing the damn things, they have been nothing but trouble since I have had them, I have had to completely modify my enclosures...almost had URI on my hands, luckily I check daily and was able to fix things when the damned thing malfunctioned and gave my retic a basking spot of 79F. I never had any issues when I just put the damn pad onto the enclosure in proportion to the out put of heat I desired, bu utility bills speak for themselves and a t-stat was necessary. I finally have them all set to what I want and they are holding heat well...but not as good as me by no means. Smaller heat pads are unregulated because the max temp is 96F.

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Umm...

A thermostat needs be used to control any kind of heat source, regardless of what the output may be. I think this topic has been beat to death with many documented lessons learned from not properly controlling heat sources. It sounds like you do not know how to correctly install them and thus something malfunctioned, which happens a lot with people that do not read the instructions and do the proper research prior to purchasing and installing a thermostat. Purchasing a good thermostat from the start, such as a Herpstat, Helix and/or Vivarium is a good start... an unregulated heat mat is a recipe for disaster.

I agree with Pit and Coopers.

Even a smaller unregulated pad can burn an animal or cause a fire.
The label might say it doesn't get over whatever temp, but all of the commercial heat pads can get up to 130*+ unregulated.

There are a few people here who have had unregulated heat pads melt tubs and crack aquarium glass. One person with a bearded dragon had her unregulated mat catch their wooden viviarium on fire.

Its your own choice to use a thermostat or not. But its not good advice to tell a new keeper to not use one because you don't. You have a right risk your own animals, but don't ever risk someone else's.


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http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h1...ps3928d384.jpg

Lets see if photobucket has decided to work........
Here you go.....20 minutes un regulated and there is a fan circulating the room

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Originally Posted by PitOnTheProwl

They are for ALL heat sources that your retile can come in contact with:mad:
Just because YOU couldn't get a stat set up properly sure doesn't mean you tell other people not to use one.
And just for your information the smaller ones can run up to about 120 degrees.

I can take photos for you and I know you have already seen what a good belly burn looks like from an unregulated heat source.

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I have treated burns before, so a picture is unnecessary. Please tell me where I explicitly say "Do not use a thermostat". I have said countless times what I do and MY thoughts on the issue.

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Originally Posted by Coopers Constrictors

Umm...

A thermostat needs be used to control any kind of heat source, regardless of what the output may be. I think this topic has been beat to death with many documented lessons learned from not properly controlling heat sources. It sounds like you do not know how to correctly install them and thus something malfunctioned, which happens a lot with people that do not read the instructions and do the proper research prior to purchasing and installing a thermostat. Purchasing a good thermostat from the start, such as a Herpstat, Helix and/or Vivarium is a good start... an unregulated heat mat is a recipe for disaster.

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Helix thermostat. Instructions followed to the letter, had a friend currently in an electrician internship look it over. Came home to 79F basking spots, used manual to try to correct issue, came back an hour later...no results, threw it in the trash where it belonged (it had been a stressful day in lab and I was not in the mood for bull). Grabbed some hydrofarms the next day and they are currently running to my satisfaction, despite having to replace one a little while ago. The owner of the store I worked at for 8 years had used heat mats, bulbs, etc... without thermostats for his entire 50 years in the business, he had quite the shocked look when I admitted to using them. Now I am about as far from an electrical engineer as you can get, but I am also far enough from an idiot to understand how to push some buttons and place a probe or two.

Either way I doubt the OP appreciates our little spat. If either of you must discuss it further you're welcome to PM me.

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Originally Posted by Physician&Snakes

On larger ones yes for energy efficiency...not on my little 6"X8" ones though.

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Since you forgot............ This isn't a spat and I'm not up for PM games.
I am correcting for lack if a better term, BAD advice given and hopefully saving someone's snake from a bad outcome.

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Originally Posted by Physician&Snakes

Smaller heat pads are unregulated because the max temp is 96F.

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http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/11/29/zu6ebu7u.jpg

Personally, i'd rather have a malfunction of 79degrees, but thats just me.

This heat mat runs unregulated 24/7, i have it propped up against the side of my dubia roach bin.

EDIT: and just to ice that cake, this is even smaller than your 6"x8" mats.
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/11/29/y2e2yraz.jpg

Physicians and snakes,don't you know,you are not suppose to disagree with mods or with there little followers,or you will get internet chewed alive,lol..I'm staying away on this one,I'm trying to be a good boy.

But whatever works for your snake is what counts,everyone has diff opinions and many diff things work,unfortunately. Certain ppl around here think there is only one way to do things and they think it's there way only..I know quiet a few ppl who have UTHs that are not regulated and for years,there snakes are perfectly fine...

Get the thermostat. Odds are far more likely you'll regret not having one than having one.

It's like wearing your seat belt. You can be killed in a car accident if you are wearing one, but I'd rather take my chances with it than without it.

Me personally,I have all my UTHs on thermostats and also regulated by thermometers,but that's me

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Originally Posted by NYHC4LIFE8899

Physicians and snakes,don't you know,you are not suppose to disagree with mods or with there little followers,or you will get internet chewed alive,lol..I'm staying away on this one,I'm trying to be a good boy

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I'm not a mod. I'm not little. I'm not a follower. I care about snakes getting burned though.

You can ask pit yourself, him and i have butted heads before. But when it comes to the safety of snakes, i have to agree with him. No question, snakes well being come before anything for both of us. I aint one to be brown nosing mods, if anything its the opposite.

I will apologize for being unclear, MY heat pad is set by me, in a proportional ratio to how much I want heated; the 96F is the highest in cage basking point I have ever observed in five years of using the brand. The maximum potential of it is likely what has already been shown however, I have never tested it in that manner.

Yes, I describe this as a "spat" because my intelligence was directly insulted, therefore it is more than a Socratic seminar by social logic; however, think and do what you will, I know I will.

OP, I must apologize to you for unintentionally starting this within your thread, I wish you the best and hope you found what you needed.

Well, there is a reason why so many people do things a certain specific way. And trust me, it's not because it's 'cool' or it's the 'popular' thing to do.
It's because it works and is the safest.

Sure you can say an unregulated mat hasn't malfunctioned or your friend's cousin's great great uncle's chihuahua's friend has used unregulated pads for years with no issue. They are LUCKY! Damn Lucky! You hear horrible events of unregulated pads destroying entire collections and years of hard work going down the drain from accidents like that in this hobby.

There is still that risk of burning your animal, melting your enclosure, or starting a fire with those unregulated heating elements.
Why NOT use a thermostat? Why not give yourself that extra blanket of security and safety? Why even leave your animals to that risk?? It could be a small risk, it could be a large risk. Either way, still something I do not want to risk. Paying for a thermostat sure beats paying for vet bills and dealing with an injured animal. It 100x better than having part of your house burn down.

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Originally Posted by satomi325

Well, there is a reason why so many people do things a certain specific way. And trust me, it's not because it's 'cool' or it's the 'popular' thing to do.
It's because it works and is the safest.

Sure you can say an unregulated mat hasn't malfunctioned or your friend's cousin's great great uncle's chihuahua's friend has used unregulated pads for years with no issue. They are LUCKY! Damn Lucky! You hear horrible events of unregulated pads destroying entire collections and years of hard work going down the drain from accidents like that in this hobby.

There is still that risk of burning your animal, melting your enclosure, or starting a fire with those unregulated heating elements.
Why NOT use a thermostat? Why not give yourself that extra blanket of security and safety? Why even leave your animals to that risk?? It could be a small risk, it could be a large risk. Either way, still something I do not want to risk. Paying for a thermostat sure beats paying for vet bills and dealing with an injured animal. It 100x better than having part of your house burn down.

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This sums it up... for the most a thermostat is a relatively inexpensive investment, but a crucial tool that can prevent a truly disastrous situation from occurring.

If your truly comfortable with using a heat pad/tape with out a thermostat I encourage you to plug a piece of 12 inch heat tape and place it under a child's mattress before you go to bed.

**Disclaimer for those who don't understand sarcasm** Do don't place a unregulated heat source under anything as this can be a fire hazard that can cause damage and/or death. With that said, why even risk the chance?


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For a couple bucks I'd rather be safe than sorry. Too much can go wrong, not just the snake, but potentially burning down my house is not something I'm interested in doing.

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Originally Posted by PitOnTheProwl

Since you forgot............ This isn't a spat and I'm not up for PM games.
I am correcting for lack if a better term, BAD advice given and hopefully saving someone's snake from a bad outcome.

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I had hoped you would realize your mis-interpretation; however, since you have forgotten basic English...

Martin quoted ME and asked ME ~"Do you use a thermostat..." . Notice, that YOU refers to ME, therefore my answer of ~"...not on my 6"X8" is me answering the question posed to me about my methodology. There is simply no grammatical way that could be read as a blanket statement of "Do not use a thermostat".

I love how there are only 3 answers to this persons question and the rest are directed at someone else, and the answers have nothing to do with the op's question. Just answer the question asked and leave the rest alone. Arguing with him and telling him stuff he already knows solves nothing. If his method works for him then leave him be, even though it's not right, you don't need to maul him for it. There are tons of threads that speak about the importance of thermostats and I'm pretty sure he's read through a bunch of them. Jumping all over him isn't going to get thermostats hooked up to his heat pads especially since he's owned thermostats in the past. He never said to anyone to just throw out their thermostat and never use them again so just leave him alone and answer this persons question. Jeez.. And

@Physician&Snakes I 100% understand where you are coming from. That's all I'm going to say. Sorry about the rant.

Now back to the topic of this persons question @Op you can either use a heat pad (with thermostat of course since you know what happens without one now) or a heat lamp or use them both. I personally use both since my house is pretty darn cold and our heat likes to go out every year and it can get down to 50 degrees in the house so it's nice for them to have the warmth they need in the winter time but I would just try out each method and see what works best to keep temps correct and humidity in check :) hope this is helpful and hope you come to a correct answer amongst this mess.


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To the OP, you use whatever is necessary to maintain a proper environment for your animal. T-stat regulated heat pads make a great hotspot, and bulbs or CHE's can be used to help ambient temps if it is an issue. I prefer a ceramic heat emitter on a seperate t-stat to help control temps, that way cage temps don't fluctuate with the room temperature.

Edit: Deleted.