Setting up a tub/UTH questions

[pretends2bnormal]

Sound like a solid plan.

As for ideas for climbing, if you want stuff to climb on/around, you might find some small cork bark pieces you can put in any open space. Flatter ones can be climbed on or around. They can be baked or cleaned/sanitized with a bleach soak then water soak as needed, but may be best not to add until you are sure you're mite-free.

Or you can get some PVC pipe, some elbows or tees and end caps and build your own short climbing structure. PVC is pretty easy to sanitize with bleach or other disinfectants for QT.

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[Andiamo]

I use a zoo med UTH on a tub. Where to even start...

first of all you'll need to tape the heat mat to the tub b/c it won't stick. Second, I'm not sure how you will be able to get even temps if you are sandwiching a probe between the UTH and the tub (in fact, you won't get even temps). Even if the UTH is completely flat against the bottom of the tub, you will still experience hot spots with the Zoo Med UTH.

My advice. Get a thermostat, set it up and run it for 48 hours. Then check temps across the entire surface area of the UTH the second the Thermostat kicks off (some spots will be hotter than others). Also, make sure there is no heat lamp or CHE on when you do this b/c it could throw temps off.

I know people have their own methods, but I put the probe INSIDE the tub, but never in the actual hide (so the snake can't lay on it). I tape it directly to the bottom of the tub, and ensure that the setting on the thermostat prevents hot spots. Then I cover it with a rock or decoration so the CHE doesn't impact it as much.

Even if you think the temps are spot on...check with the temp gun.

[Avsha531]

Sound like a solid plan.

As for ideas for climbing, if you want stuff to climb on/around, you might find some small cork bark pieces you can put in any open space. Flatter ones can be climbed on or around. They can be baked or cleaned/sanitized with a bleach soak then water soak as needed, but may be best not to add until you are sure you're mite-free.

Or you can get some PVC pipe, some elbows or tees and end caps and build your own short climbing structure. PVC is pretty easy to sanitize with bleach or other disinfectants for QT.

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Good idea I forgot about little PVC jungle gyms. I may actually do that once I switch to a bigger cage, for now since its QT I'll probably keep it more simple

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[Avsha531]

I use a zoo med UTH on a tub. Where to even start...

first of all you'll need to tape the heat mat to the tub b/c it won't stick. Second, I'm not sure how you will be able to get even temps if you are sandwiching a probe between the UTH and the tub (in fact, you won't get even temps). Even if the UTH is completely flat against the bottom of the tub, you will still experience hot spots with the Zoo Med UTH.

My advice. Get a thermostat, set it up and run it for 48 hours. Then check temps across the entire surface area of the UTH the second the Thermostat kicks off (some spots will be hotter than others). Also, make sure there is no heat lamp or CHE on when you do this b/c it could throw temps off.

I know people have their own methods, but I put the probe INSIDE the tub, but never in the actual hide (so the snake can't lay on it). I tape it directly to the bottom of the tub, and ensure that the setting on the thermostat prevents hot spots. Then I cover it with a rock or decoration so the CHE doesn't impact it as much.

Even if you think the temps are spot on...check with the temp gun.

Thanks for the feedback

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[pretends2bnormal]

I use a zoo med UTH on a tub. Where to even start...

first of all you'll need to tape the heat mat to the tub b/c it won't stick. Second, I'm not sure how you will be able to get even temps if you are sandwiching a probe between the UTH and the tub (in fact, you won't get even temps). Even if the UTH is completely flat against the bottom of the tub, you will still experience hot spots with the Zoo Med UTH.

My advice. Get a thermostat, set it up and run it for 48 hours. Then check temps across the entire surface area of the UTH the second the Thermostat kicks off (some spots will be hotter than others). Also, make sure there is no heat lamp or CHE on when you do this b/c it could throw temps off.

I know people have their own methods, but I put the probe INSIDE the tub, but never in the actual hide (so the snake can't lay on it). I tape it directly to the bottom of the tub, and ensure that the setting on the thermostat prevents hot spots. Then I cover it with a rock or decoration so the CHE doesn't impact it as much.

Even if you think the temps are spot on...check with the temp gun.

No tape inside the enclosure for any reason, ever. Setting decor on top means nothing as most snakes can move around things far heavier than you might expect.

If you're going to put it inside the tub or tank despite the risks of temperature spikes from a tipped water bowl or a large pee (especially a risk when using paper towels in a quarantine setup), at least secure it with something safer like hot glue or silicone.

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[Avsha531]

Might help to give info on the species. Sounds like it is not a BP from your post, but I'm not sure what it is.

I like the ultratherm heat mats (Reptile Basics sells them) or you could get heat tape that they wire for you from them as well which is just as easy to use as a heat mat. In my experience, the zoomed heat mats heat fairly unevenly. Not unusable, but annoying to find and test the hot spots of the mat to keep it all in a safe range.

If the species is small or good at escaping, I prefer these gasket tubs. Plenty of size for juvies of most species through a QT period and extremely secure. I'm sure you have a tub already since you state the size, but a consideration if it is a pretty small snake if the lid isn't extremely secure. I've had poor luck with adding binder clips or luggage straps to secure long sides of tubs with small snakes. There are various sizes in this style, but this is a good size for most things. https://www.target.com/p/sterilite-3...XDtUAaQWJgS6Bf

When working with tubs, I like to tape the UTH to the table (My QT table is just a particle board surface on a table we built at one point), then tape the thermostat probe to that on the cord right before the probe tip, then just set the tub over it. This lets me fully remove the tub for thorough washing without worry about probes or electrical.

It does end up with a slight air gap above the UTH below the tub, but that air gap is supposed to be good for UTH anyway, it gives space for the probe when you use tubs that have the feet like the gasket sterilite tubs I linked, and it doesn't need to be set much higher on the thermostat than when it is pressed against the bottom of a tub. 1-2 degrees is what I see for mine, though it may need more if there is a draft or A/C vent blowing along where the tub is placed. It also eliminates the odd bump that you usually get by sandwiching a probe and taping the heat mat to the enclosure itself.

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@pretends2bnormal I actually went out and bought that tub today, it's perfect. One thing I don't understand though, it has legs about half an inch or so. How will the UTH actually provide any heat without it taped to the bottom? Would be a pretty decent sized gap

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[Danger noodles]

@pretends2bnormal I actually went out and bought that tub today, it's perfect. One thing I don't understand though, it has legs about half an inch or so. How will the UTH actually provide any heat without it taped to the bottom? Would be a pretty decent sized gap

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The uth sticks to the bottom with the probe of the thermostat sandwiched between them, I had to reread the post too, it says to leave a gap between the insulation and the heater. 90* won’t hurt the tub

edit ok it does say leave a gap but I never have

[Avsha531]

The uth sticks to the bottom with the probe of the thermostat sandwiched between them, I had to reread the post too, it says to leave a gap between the insulation and the heater. 90* won’t hurt the tub

edit ok it does say leave a gap but I never have

Thanks Danger, but I think you misunderstood. Pretends and Ax are talking about taping the heat mat to a surface, not to the tub, and placing the tub on top of it with the probe sandwiched in between. This makes incredible sense for cleaning purposes, and I have done it in the past when I had a qt rack for a couple new bps that i had gotten. However, the tub recommended has short legs, while the tubs i had used in that previous application were flat on the bottom. Hence I am asking Pretends for clarification on how that has worked out in his experience with these specific tubs.

I do appreciate the response though

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[Danger noodles]

Thanks Danger, but I think you misunderstood. Pretends and Ax are talking about taping the heat mat to a surface, not to the tub, and placing the tub on top of it with the probe sandwiched in between. This makes incredible sense for cleaning purposes, and I have done it in the past when I had a qt rack for a couple new bps that i had gotten. However, the tub recommended has short legs, while the tubs i had used in that previous application were flat on the bottom. Hence I am asking Pretends for clarification on how that has worked out in his experience with these specific tubs.

I do appreciate the response though

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It would make more sense if I didn’t know what I was talking about lol

[Dianne]

I use the Sterlite gasket tubs with the 11x11 Ultratherm heat mats. My probe is taped to the wood base, the uth taped in place over the probe, and the tub sits on top. Depending on where in the stack it is, my thermostats are set from 90-92F to get a hot spot of 88-90F. I haven't had any issues with the tub temps from the small gap.

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