Plastic Tub and UTH Help

Hello everybody,

I recently purchased an Iris 41qt tub along with the Zoo Med Reptitherm Mini UTH which is advertised as being safe on plastic, but is recommended only for 1-5 gallon terrariums. I have the pad placed on the lower side of my tub for two reasons: 1) it was recommended by the Zoo Med packaging and pet shop guy, and 2) the Iris tub has a funky bottom (there's lines running across it) so the UTH can't be applied flat. I have the pad running through a Zilla temp controller and a thermometer under my substrate (eco carpet). The mini UTH isn't getting above 75F. Any suggestions would be appreciated since this is my first tub set up.

Thanks.

Where is the probe for the tstat?

Are you saying the actual UTH is not getting over 75F?

or,

That the tub temp is not getting over 75F?

You should have started here and not ended up here but we'll get you set up.

A trick for the uth is to place foil on the sticky part and then secure it to the cage with tape(on the outside). This allows you to remove and move the uth to other tubs or cages and allows you to easily remove it for cleaning when needed.

You can remove the uth but when you do you need to go real slow and be careful. The heating elements run through the black pad and if they are broken the uth will not heat evenly.

Also that temp controller is not digital and has a HUGE probe. They are not the best but will get you by for the time being. Id suggest to start saving for a better tstat and then keep that one as a spare.

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

Quote:

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Originally Posted by KMG

Are you saying the actual UTH is not getting over 75F?

or,

That the tub temp is not getting over 75F?

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The interior tub temp is not getting over 75F.
I didn't put a thermostat probe on the outside under the UTH because the UTH says to make sure there's no air bubbles and I figured having a piece of metal on a hot surface was a bad idea. Also the Zilla probe is really really big.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ElderDeku

The interior tub temp is not getting over 75F.
I didn't put a thermostat probe on the outside under the UTH because the UTH says to make sure there's no air bubbles and I figured having a piece of metal on a hot surface was a bad idea. Also the Zilla probe is really really big.

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A uth is not meant to heat the air. They are to create a hotspot for the snake to lay on.

Your best bet is to remove the uth from the side and do as I said above with foil. Then use the foil tape to secure the uth to the bottom of the tub. After that Id secure the probe to the bottom of the uth as I explained above.

What is the temp in the tub and what are you using to measure it?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by KMG

A uth is not meant to heat the air. They are to create a hotspot for the snake to lay on.

Your best bet is to remove the uth from the side and do as I said above with foil. Then use the foil tape to secure the uth to the bottom of the tub. After that Id secure the probe to the bottom of the uth as I explained above.

What is the temp in the tub and what are you using to measure it?

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I'm using an Acurite digital with a probe. The tub temp is currently 72F.

You are going to need to bump that up a bit but the uth is not going to do it. You may have to add a heat lamp unless you have a warmer place in your house the tub can go.

Sometimes a small closet will be enough.

With a ideal hotspot your ambient temps can be a bit lower but not 72. I wouldn't want them lower than 75 personally and feel better in the 77-82 range.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by KMG

You are going to need to bump that up a bit but the uth is not going to do it. You may have to add a heat lamp unless you have a warmer place in your house the tub can go.

Sometimes a small closet will be enough.

With a ideal hotspot your ambient temps can be a bit lower but not 72. I wouldn't want them lower than 75 personally and feel better in the 77-82 range.

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Would a heat lamp on its own work or would the hides not get enough heat? The tub I'm using has an uneven bottom and there are lines running underneath across it that are raised so a UTH can't be put underneath (which is why I put it on the lower back in the first place).

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ElderDeku

Would a heat lamp on its own work or would the hides not get enough heat? The tub I'm using has an uneven bottom and there are lines running underneath across it that are raised so a UTH can't be put underneath (which is why I put it on the lower back in the first place).

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The UTH can be used. set the tub on it an regulate it.

A lamp can certainly give you both the hotspot and ambient temps your snake needs. You are going to need either a desk lamp or a lamp stand so the heat lamp is not rested on the tub as that will melt the lid.

I really like these lamp stands as they are extremely adjustable and sturdy.

https://www.amazon.com/Zoo-Med-Repti...med+lamp+stand

Im not sure the tstat you have will work well with the lamp though. It is a on/off tstat vs. a proportional version. This would make the lamp turn off and on as the temp needs adjusting which will probably burn the light out quicker if it works at all.

You may need to visit a hardware store and pick up a rheostat(dimmer). They are not ideal but you need something to control the lamp.

https://www.amazon.com/Lutron-TT-300...words=rheostat

If you were to get the lamp stand you could also use it to control the heat by raising and lowering the lamp until you get the temps you need. To make the hotspot warmer you would lower the lamp toward the tub and the lower the temp you would simply raise it.

Both a dimmer and lamp stand adjustment will work best if your home does not fluctuate much during the day and night in its inside temp.

Placing the uth under the tub should still work fine though and I would get that set up now so the snake can at least have a good hotspot top lay on.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by KMG

A lamp can certainly give you both the hotspot and ambient temps your snake needs. You are going to need either a desk lamp or a lamp stand so the heat lamp is not rested on the tub as that will melt the lid.

I really like these lamp stands as they are extremely adjustable and sturdy.

https://www.amazon.com/Zoo-Med-Repti...med+lamp+stand

Im not sure the tstat you have will work well with the lamp though. It is a on/off tstat vs. a proportional version. This would make the lamp turn off and on as the temp needs adjusting which will probably burn the light out quicker if it works at all.

You may need to visit a hardware store and pick up a rheostat(dimmer). They are not ideal but you need something to control the lamp.

https://www.amazon.com/Lutron-TT-300...words=rheostat

If you were to get the lamp stand you could also use it to control the heat by raising and lowering the lamp until you get the temps you need. To make the hotspot warmer you would lower the lamp toward the tub and the lower the temp you would simply raise it.

Both a dimmer and lamp stand adjustment will work best if your home does not fluctuate much during the day and night in its inside temp.

Placing the uth under the tub should still work fine though and I would get that set up now so the snake can at least have a good hotspot top lay on.

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Is the rheostat used to control the temperature of the lamp if the Zilla tstat doesn't work? Thankfully I don't pick up the snake until Sunday. Today was my day to test everything out before. Also what's a good setup if I used a 20L glass instead with what I have? One of my friends is willing to sell his to me if the tub doesn't work out.

Also can you recommend a digital tstat?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ElderDeku

Is the rheostat used to control the temperature of the lamp if the Zilla tstat doesn't work? Thankfully I don't pick up the snake until Sunday. Today was my day to test everything out before. Also what's a good setup if I used a 20L glass instead with what I have? One of my friends is willing to sell his to me if the tub doesn't work out.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by ElderDeku

Also can you recommend a digital tstat?

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Sorry for not explaining the dimmer. A dimmer is a simple device that you plug in between the heat source you are using like a heat bulb or ceramic heat emitter (che). You can then slide the switch on the dimmer up and down which raises and reduces the amount of power delivered to the heat element. So you can essentially dial a bulb or che in to exactly where you need it because the standard wattage doesn't always get the problem solved at full power.

But like I also said raising and lowering the heat element does the dame thing in a more primitive manner.

As for a glass tank. It will probably give you the exact same issues. You would most likely have to do the same stuff we are doing with your tub. Now if its a good price and you like it the things I have told you will work just the same with it. Its up to you.


Also I applaud you for doing this early. So many people buy a snake on a whim and come home with a bunch of junk for a pet store that they don't need. It seems like you did alright except for that tstat. Why the pet stores keep selling them is beyond me. They are old tech and overpriced for what they are.

As for a suggestion I most certainly will. I am a fan of the Herpstat line from Spyder Robotics. I have four of them and they have given me flawless service. I had one of the ones you have too. Got it with a snake I bought. I used it as a spare and it died and ran my uth crazily.

http://spyderrobotics.com/

They ship quick if you order straight from them and though you can buy them other places they are usually always the same price.

You can also check your local Craigslist and such and see if any are listed on there. Plenty of people get out of the hobby or upgrade and part with their old one.

You can also check out these at Reptile Basics. I don't have any but they are well liked. Herpstats are a bit more feature rich though. You get what you pay for.

http://www.reptilebasics.com/thermostats

Quote:

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Originally Posted by KMG

Sorry for not explaining the dimmer. A dimmer is a simple device that you plug in between the heat source you are using like a heat bulb or ceramic heat emitter (che). You can then slide the switch on the dimmer up and down which raises and reduces the amount of power delivered to the heat element. So you can essentially dial a bulb or che in to exactly where you need it because the standard wattage doesn't always get the problem solved at full power.

But like I also said raising and lowering the heat element does the dame thing in a more primitive manner.

As for a glass tank. It will probably give you the exact same issues. You would most likely have to do the same stuff we are doing with your tub. Now if its a good price and you like it the things I have told you will work just the same with it. Its up to you.


Also I applaud you for doing this early. So many people buy a snake on a whim and come home with a bunch of junk for a pet store that they don't need. It seems like you did alright except for that tstat. Why the pet stores keep selling them is beyond me. They are old tech and overpriced for what they are.

As for a suggestion I most certainly will. I am a fan of the Herpstat line from Spyder Robotics. I have four of them and they have given me flawless service. I had one of the ones you have too. Got it with a snake I bought. I used it as a spare and it died and ran my uth crazily.

http://spyderrobotics.com/

They ship quick if you order straight from them and though you can buy them other places they are usually always the same price.

You can also check your local Craigslist and such and see if any are listed on there. Plenty of people get out of the hobby or upgrade and part with their old one.

You can also check out these at Reptile Basics. I don't have any but they are well liked. Herpstats are a bit more feature rich though. You get what you pay for.

http://www.reptilebasics.com/thermostats

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Thank you for all your help! A friend of mine works at the local pet store so I got a decent deal on the Zilla tstat, so returning isn't an issue. I will definitely look into a Herpstat or Reptile Basics thermostat when time (and budget) allows, and they appear to be a significant step up from the analog Zilla.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ElderDeku

Thank you for all your help! A friend of mine works at the local pet store so I got a decent deal on the Zilla tstat, so returning isn't an issue. I will definitely look into a Herpstat or Reptile Basics thermostat when time (and budget) allows, and they appear to be a significant step up from the analog Zilla.

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They are much better. Id just keep the Zilla tstat as a spare. You never know when something may happen or a new snake follows you home.

People always get me when its a holiday that everything is closed and their bulb burns out and they don't have another.

One is none.

Just like the ETB I recently quickly bought. I had an extra Herpstat1 sitting at the house and was able to put it right into action.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by KMG

They are much better. Id just keep the Zilla tstat as a spare. You never know when something may happen or a new snake follows you home.

People always get me when its a holiday that everything is closed and their bulb burns out and they don't have another.

One is none.

Just like the ETB I recently quickly bought. I had an extra Herpstat1 sitting at the house and was able to put it right into action.

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Good call, I'll hold onto it just in case!