Quick help! what size UTH for 20g long?

i just sold my snakes setup as i am upgrading to a 20 gallon long with a better lid to control humidity. what size under tank heater should i get for this size tank for my ball python? i will also be using a heat lamp on one side of the tank...

shes in a box right now so i need to get an UTH asap;)

i would use one that covers about 35% of the floor space.

20 gallon longs are 30" x 12" i think. so would an 11x11" UTH be good? im no good at math :oops::P

usually the UTH will have a size rating on it. Check that out and compare it to the floor space on the tank. Dont forget to purchase something to regulate it, those things reach 115 degrees easily uncontrolled. If you go for something like a zoo med it will say 15-20 gallons, 20-30 gallons and so on.

should i be buying a desert or rainforest heater?

just get a generic zoo med. one with a dial on it to dim or raise the temp

the desert ones i believe are like a piece of thin plastic sheet that stick right on. Ive heard they quit working easily but I could be wrong. The rainforest ones look thicker and more reliable, but like I said, I have only used the zoo med one so thats the only one I can suggest from experience. Read the back of the packages for more info.

Zoo Med is one of the better brands for a UTH. Just get the one that says it is rated for 20 gallons.

http://www.strictlypetsupplies.com/_097612300062.html

Thats what they look like but get the right size. :)

thanks for all the quick replies. :D

i was forced to get an exo terra dessert 10x11" UTH. the only repti therm ones i could find were the xl and xs sizes.

is there some sort of temperature control i can put on it?

You will need a rheostat at least to control the temps. Don't put your bp in there without it being regulated. They don't sense that there is too much heat on their bellies sometimes and they can get a burn. You can usually start with the rheostat in the middle setting and then adjust from there for correct temps.

If you want to go the cheap way, Lowes has a $10 "lamp dimmer" that works wonders. I use this on a few of my tubs.

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?actio...-WH&lpage=none

i prefer the exo tera to the zoo meds. I think they provide more stable temperatures throughout the entire heater. Just my experiences....

im guessing she will be happier in her new setup. the temp is at 24 celsius on top of her hide and the humidity is at 80 in the middle of her tank. here in ontario the air gets so dry and it sucks.

with my old setup the temp was at 20 and humidity was 40. it was nearly impossible to raise the temp or humidity with the old screen lid. im now using a homemade lid that keeps the warmth and moisture in there:)

sure am glad i found this website:D

how am i suppose to measure the temp of the UTH?

75 F (24c) is a little chilly for ambient temps. 80 is better to aim for if you can manage it. 80 humidity is a little high. aim for 50-60% and 70 when he is in a shed cycle. where in ontario are you? I live in peterborough ON

as waltah! and others have said, dont put plug in the UTH without something to control it. You can buy a rheostat or a thermostat to regulate it or like myself if you are cheap, a lamp dimmer from canadian tire in the lighting section will work, $10. To measure the temp of the heating pad you can check out canadian tire or walmart for an indoor/outdoor digital hygrometer/thermometer, $15. There is a little probe plugged into the device that you can attach to the UTH to measure the temps. These also allow you to measure ambient temp and humidity in addition to the temp of the UTH. The outdoor setting is used for the probe.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bender29

If you want to go the cheap way, Lowes has a $10 "lamp dimmer" that works wonders. I use this on a few of my tubs.

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?actio...-WH&lpage=none

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I use this dimmer and I'm pretty happy with it. I still keep a constant watch on temps because the temps vary in our house throughout the day.

If the UTH is suppose to cover 35% of the floor, then I'd say mine is too small even though I went by what it stated on the package. Is 35% what is recommended?

My UTH doesnt cover 35% of the tank but this percent works out to 1/3 of the tank so that makes sense, 1 warm side, a middle inbetween, and a cool side. Mine covers about 1/4 of the tank and im not about to go ripping it off to get a bigger one but then again I do have a juvenile bp so he doesnt need as much space to keep himself warm. I can fit a hide and his waterbowl over top of the UTH I have so for me thats enough. When he gets bigger I will likely buy a bigger UTH to go with a bigger enclosure and then stick his other UTH on low on the cool side.(my house has steady, but cold temps)
Just my 2 cents.

im just using cheap gauges right now and the humidity is still at 80 and the temp is 28 c beside her hide. ill get quality digitals eventually but these will have to do for now. im guessing the humidity is so high because i put in new coco bedding and i soaked it. should dry up in a few days lowering the humidity.

i just cant win. i go from being too cold and dry to too warm and to humid:rolleyes:

on the plus side she seems to like her new setup and was more active than normal last night.

Oh its not too warm dont worry. 28 is still a little low. Ill just PM you because I was curious to know where in Ontario you live, I could give you a hand finding some good affordable supplies if you are near me.

the best thing to do is to get a medium heater and a thermostat ,then plug your heater into it for a constant temperature