Moving my snakes over to tubs.

[CarrieAnnx3]

I'm going to be getting a shelving unit from Home Depot and some tubs with locking lids, and readying it for my new arrivals that I have coming this week.

I want to use an UTH, actually am quite determined to do so, but I have never used them before. If I get a UTH, can I tape it directly to the tubs? Or am I going to need to do something special?

Also, am I going to need a way to keep the tubs off of the shelving units so the UTH doesn't sit directly between the tub and the shelf?

Any information on properly utilizing a UTH would be greatly appreciated.


& what kind of tub should I use? I have seen Rubbermaid and Sterilite being the two most common but is there a general consensus on what tubs withstand the UTH best??

Thank you guys!

[CptJack]

UTH's don't get anywhere near enough to melt plastic - at least they shouldn't, and once you get it on a thermostat you're safe in that regard. I also think most tubs have short little feet that prevent them being smacked down flat against the shelf below it, but I'm not 100% sure on that one.

Either way, they're warm but they're not hot enough when used safely (with a thermostat set appropriately) to start a fire or melt plastic.

[sho220]

Along with a UTH you will need a thermostat to regulate the temp. I have a plastic shelving unit I bought from Lowes that's probably similiar to what you're getting. I use Flexwatt and have it taped directly to the rack towards the back. I slide the tubs over the tape so the back 1/4 of the tub is directly over the heat tape. I've used a few different kinds of tubs, but mainly Sterilite and Rubbermaid. Both work just fine.

[CarrieAnnx3]

I slide the tubs over the tape so the back 1/4 of the tub is directly over the heat tape. I've used a few different kinds of tubs, but mainly Sterilite and Rubbermaid. Both work just fine.

I actually wasn't planning on using heat tape. Would a pad work as well? or should I invest in some tape?

[DooLittle]

I'm sure the heat tape would be more cost effective. But if you need it this week, overnight shipping would be outrageous.

http://www.reptilebasics.com/heat-tape-page-2


And heat tape MUST be on a thermostat. (As well as heat pads)

[CarrieAnnx3]

Do you know if Petco or petsmart sells any reliable pads or thermostats that I can use until I can get heat tape?

[Stewart_Reptiles]

UTH's don't get anywhere near enough to melt plastic

Yes they do this is why they MUST be used with a T-Stat from the start.

I would not recommend Petsmart or Petco as a good source for any reptile supply, for heat pad or heat tape as well as thermostat this can be your one stop shop http://www.reptilebasics.com/

For a single stand alone tub I would recommend a heat pad and simply place the tub above it, if you tape it and need to clean the tub it's just gonna be messy and take longer.

[CarrieAnnx3]

I'm about to have three and two of them are rescues that I have to pick up tomorrow or else they will be euthanized by their owner. Sad day, really. He just told me today or else I would have been more prepared.

so I don't have an opportunity to wait for the mail to come in to order online. :/.

[DooLittle]

Petco and Petsmart don't sell anything reliable or trustworthy for heating or controlling it. This would be the best thermostat you could get-

http://spyderrobotics.com/

Amazon carries a hydrofarm, but imo, should only be used as a temporary thermostat. I have seen them in my local hardware/garden store. But they are super over priced there.

[CarrieAnnx3]

I'm just looking for something temporary, considering that I won't be able to wait for the mail before I end up with these two rescues. :/.

i really wish he would have given me some kind of warning about this instead of making me scramble to get everything that we need.