Heat Pad too HOT!

[Kuzar]

Hi, just put my new zoo med heat pad on, but it goes all the way up to 105! IS there anyway I can lower the temperature without buying a rheostat? Perhaps, if I tape a whole bunch of heat tape on the heated area followed by the substrate, will that cool things down? Also, I heard newspaper is okay, but I was wondering if catalog/coupon newspapers are okay too?
Help me Please! thanks

[loonunit]

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1...atalogId=10053

They have them in the lighting section at Home Depot (not in the Electrical section!), and they're only about $10. I assume cost is the problem with the real rheostats?

I have these dimmers on all my tanks now, and they work pretty well. You have to check the temps and tweak them every other month or so.

[Kymberli]

Definitely go get a dimmer. No matter what substrate you use there will be the chance that your BP can get under the substrate and reach those high temps. I use paper towels and every so often I find one of my BPs rearranging its tub and hiding under the paper towels. That's why I'm so careful with the UTH temps!

[Superpop]

Hi, just put my new zoo med heat pad on, but it goes all the way up to 105! IS there anyway I can lower the temperature without buying a rheostat? Perhaps, if I tape a whole bunch of heat tape on the heated area followed by the substrate, will that cool things down? Also, I heard newspaper is okay, but I was wondering if catalog/coupon newspapers are okay too?
Help me Please! thanks

You need to purchase a lamp dimmer like loonunit linked you to ASAP!

105 is WAY too hot!!!

[PitOnTheProwl]

As everyone else already stated, the only way you can get the temp to lower is regulating the power flow to the pad with a dimmer/rheostat, or thermostat.

[Lolo76]

Not sure if I misread, but were you considering putting tape inside the tank? Just to let you know, there should NEVER be tape used inside of their enclosure... not a pretty sight when they get stuck, as they most likely will. And yes, definitely buy a dimmer asap!

[snakesRkewl]

Dimmers only work in a stable room temperature, get a t-stat even a repti-temp 5000R is better than a rheostat/dimmer in a room that has fluctuating temps.

http://www.amazon.com/Zoo-Med-ReptiT.../dp/B0002AQD9A

[snakesRkewl]

ooops double post...

[fonzi1289]

Thats a great idea snakeRkewl

[Kuzar]

thanks everyone. I went to home depot and got a lamp light dimmer. It works pretty well, but everytime the temperature changes in my room, the heater gets hotter or colder, so I have to check every hour.