Herpstat with Ultratherm UTH?

Is it necessary? I know the mantra- any heating device should be connected to a thermostat.

Has anyone heard of thermal burns with these?

I’ve always thought this brand was good because they generally don’t raise ambient too high.

Container in use: a 20 gal long for now, aspen bedding.

UTH will do almost nothing for ambient temps and yes, it does need to be regulated with a thermostat.


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Originally Posted by jmcrook

UTH will do almost nothing for ambient temps and yes, it does need to be regulated with a thermostat.


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Thanks— I’ve searched the forum a bit on/off and the opinion is varied. Some say yes, some say no, regarding its use with this brand’s product which is why I asked.

Eight of my nine enclosures have ultratherms and every one of them is connected to a Herpstat. I’m not willing to sacrifice the health and safety of my snakes to save a few bucks. Secondary to this, the vet bills of just one burned snake alone could outweigh the cost of the Herpstats.

Not matter the heat pad you MUST control it first because you MUST provide proper temps, second because any heat source can overheat.

I know all about ultratherm and how they are marketed

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The low wattage density of this product means in most cases it will maintain "reptile friendly" temps below 95 degrees.

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however the temp will go over that in the right circumstances I have tested several ultratherm without a thermostat and they reached 120 degrees.

Thanks all!

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Originally Posted by Reinz

Eight of my nine enclosures have ultratherms and every one of them is connected to a Herpstat. I’m not willing to sacrifice the health and safety of my snakes to save a few bucks. Secondary to this, the vet bills of just one burned snake alone could outweigh the cost of the Herpstats.

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Thanks- just a friendly FYI, I wasn’t looking to save money- the cost of these is a non-issue.

Have you found any husbandry adjustments needed when using Herpstat?

One poster on here remarked s/he needed to reduce the amount of substrate when using a Herpstat compared to heating without a Herpstat.

Thanks!

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Originally Posted by viper69

Thanks- just a friendly FYI, I wasn’t looking to save money- the cost of these is a non-issue.

Have you found any husbandry adjustments needed when using Herpstat?

One poster on here remarked s/he needed to reduce the amount of substrate when using a Herpstat compared to heating without a Herpstat.

Thanks!

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Sorry about my misinterpretation of your original post. :please:

I may may not be understanding your last question. But Herpstats/Tstats ARE FOR adjusting your husbandry. Not a Reason to change your husbandry.

When using an Ultratherm or other UTH the amount of substrate is recommended to no more than a 1/2 ish thick. This allows warmth to reach the top of the substrate while at the same time not reaching a temperature that is too hot on the surface of the cage; i.e. if the snake burrows or pushes the substrate away they are not in danger of a burn.
That’s the reason for substrate reduction, NOT because a Herpstat/Tstat was used.

It sounds like miscommunication to me.

Could be- just repeating what I read here.

I use more than 1/2” of Aspen to help absorb the poop/urine better.

Ive noticed people have been switching to cocofiber - many say it’s better than aspen.

The REAL question to me is do ball pythons even need a UTH at all. I don't think they do. As long as you have a middle range 80's ambient. I have had my snake over a year now and I have/had no UTH
You don't have to worry about burns from thermostat failure or any of that. How to attach it, how to take it off. Where does the probe go. blah, blah. :rolleye2: I can't see balls as doing much basking on a hot rock in their native habitat or any of that. Now I do up the ambient heat a degree or two after my snake eats for a couple of days. I think with a good over head (or room heat) balls do just fine. I have Styrofoam underneath and on the sides and back as well. But my ball is doing just fine with two heat lamps on thermostat's over head. At this time of year they are almost never even on. So it's much less head ache and worry. And my snake poops very regular, weekly even.

Now a corn snake and some other colubrids like a corn absolutely seem to need a UTH I had a corn and it seemed to need and love the UTH. I also agree a half inch substrate max is plenty and important when using a UTH As far as poop and pee you can scoop a wide handful and then replace some afterward from your spare substrate bag.

You can have your own belief about balls and uth's but I just don't see it as necessary for a ball IMO. I do see the importance of a good 80's upper to lower range though. I don't allow mine to get to below 82 at all or over above 90 on the hide surfaces which can get pretty warm on the black plastic hide types. They can always use the black plastic hides to warm on. My snake loves to stick it's neck and head on the hide and watch.

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Originally Posted by ballpythonsrock2

The REAL question to me is do ball pythons even need a UTH at all. I don't think they do. As long as you have a middle range 80's ambient. I have had my snake over a year now and I have/had no UTH
You don't have to worry about burns from thermostat failure or any of that. How to attach it, how to take it off. Where does the probe go. blah, blah. :rolleye2: I can't see balls as doing much basking on a hot rock in their native habitat or any of that. Now I do up the ambient heat a degree or two after my snake eats for a couple of days. I think with a good over head (or room heat) balls do just fine. I have Styrofoam underneath and on the sides and back as well. But my ball is doing just fine with two heat lamps on thermostat's over head. At this time of year they are almost never even on. So it's much less head ache and worry. And my snake poops very regular, weekly even.

Now a corn snake and some other colubrids like a corn absolutely seem to need a UTH I had a corn and it seemed to need and love the UTH. I also agree a half inch substrate max is plenty and important when using a UTH As far as poop and pee you can scoop a wide handful and then replace some afterward from your spare substrate bag.

You can have your own belief about balls and uth's but I just don't see it as necessary for a ball IMO. I do see the importance of a good 80's upper to lower range though. I don't allow mine to get to below 82 at all or over above 90 on the hide surfaces which can get pretty warm on the black plastic hide types. They can always use the black plastic hides to warm on. My snake loves to stick it's neck and head on the hide and watch.

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I stopped using overhead heating a long time ago. The room gets warm enough and UTH alone is adequate. Never goes off feed, poops regularly etc

Hot rocks are for idiots or the ignorant.