Where to locate heating pad

[judiilana]

We have a Reptitherm heating pad that adheres to the outside of the tank. We haven't mounted it yet.

The instructions say you can put it on the underside or the side of the tank, and that the side is preferred.

It seems to imply that the reason the side is preferred is that any water spilled in the tank accidentally could cause a stress crack in the glass if the pad is attached to the bottom.

Opinions?

- judiilana

[ev477]

I wouldn't stick it to the glass with the adhesive that's on the heat pad. I put mine on the bottom, it is working nicely, I had trouble from the glass heating up too much but I use a reptile carpet for insulation.

If you want to be able to remove it and use it on another tank or something you might want to just tape it on the underside of the tank.

[Argentra]

Ok, those rules are outdated and really only apply to uncontrolled UTHs. You can place one, properly sized for the enclosure of course, on any substance (plastic, glass, acrylic) and bottom is best for snakes. Stress fractures and such are caused by cold water hitting hot glass...but if your UTH is controlled by a thermostat, and you have substrate (even newspaper) over the glass you should be fine. This is said with years of experience using those UTHs on glass tanks, even with a (stupid) pouring of water onto a not yet cooled pad (it was fine).

Also, I recommend NOT using the adhesive on that thing. Once they're stuck they are really annoying to remove and not damage. Rather, you should leave the paper there and use foil tape to tape it to the bottom of the enclosure.

[missi182]

First - do not stick it right on the tank or you will not be able to remove it (easily). Remove the sticky protector and put aluminum tape or aluminum foil on the sticky side. Then you can simply tape it to the underside of the tank (which is where you want it, not the side) BEFORE you use this UTH, you NEED a control. UTH's uncontrolled reach 120 degrees and will burn your snake.

The simplest device you can purchase to control the UTH is a lamp dimmer (lowes - $9) but these are not very reliable. The reason for this is that it is a manual control - you must adjust it as the temperature in your room fluctuates, but it is the bare minimum for a control. A more reliable control is a thermostat which automatically adjusts the temp to keep it between 90-92 degrees which is what you need on the warm side. A ranco thermostat (ebay) is about $50.

[ev477]

I agree, when I just used the UTH it got way too hot in there, about 90, I just left it unplugged until I got one of these, http://www.petsmart.com/product/inde...ductId=2752604 and it's about $30, it has been working great for me... I have a temperature probe right with the end of the thermostat as well though so I am able to see that it's always between 80 and 86.

(don't know if that link is a legal maneuver or not, though i hope it will help)