UTH or ceramic heat emitter? Or both?

[kasmir]

I've really been having a heck of a time getting my temps & humidity correct for some time. I'll give you a run down of my set-up..

20L tank
2 UTH's on either side (10-20 gal size)
screen lid
humidity about 56ish
2 dimmer switches attached to UTH's. I've noticed alot of fluctuation in the temps on these, I use a digital thermometer with a probe attached directly to glass under about an 1in-1 1/2 of Reptibark substrate. The temp on either side can be anywhere from 98-102, but when I hit it with the temp gun, it's about 85-88 on top of the Reptibark. My ambient temp is way too low, sometimes around 70, but fluctuates as well. The room is not drafty at all & I keep a blanket over the tank. I bought a 100w ceramic heat emitter & I'm not sure exactly where I should place this. I plan on putting the heat emitter on a dimmer as well. I guess what I'm wondering is if both UTH's & the heat emitter will be too much? I'm confused as to why my temps are so haywire & exactly what temps I should have the UTH's at to ensure the correct temp permates through the substrate. Also, is belly heat better than overhead heat? i.e the heat emitter? Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

[Sarin]

Okay your setup sounds good but there's a couple things I would change. I'd make sure the UTH's temperature does not exceed 95 degrees. If your BP happens to burrow down to the glass.. He could possibly get burned sitting on a 98-102 degree surface for too long.

I'd also switch to about 1/2" of Aspen instead of the bark. So that way you don't need to mark your UTH up so high.

I wouldn't use the CHE since your humidity is right on and you wouldn't want to lower that any more. As long as the cool side sits around 82 degrees, you'll be fine.

[kasmir]

Okay your setup sounds good but there's a couple things I would change. I'd make sure the UTH's temperature does not exceed 95 degrees. If your BP happens to burrow down to the glass.. He could possibly get burned sitting on a 98-102 degree surface for too long.

I'd also switch to about 1/2" of Aspen instead of the bark. So that way you don't need to mark your UTH up so high.

I wouldn't use the CHE since your humidity is right on and you wouldn't want to lower that any more. As long as the cool side sits around 82 degrees, you'll be fine.

Thanks for your quick response. Well I got it to bump up the ambient temp, since that's one of my major concerns as well. Unfortunately due to outrageous gas bills, my house (with hardwood floors!) tends to be pretty cold, I keep it at about 65. So I just want to make sure he's comfy & cozy

[Kaorte]

I would recommend getting a thermostat for your UTHs if you are having a problem with fluctuating temps.

[Sarin]

When I had a tank and it was summer time (when the air conditioning was on) the ambient/cool side of my BP was low 70's and he did just fine. Now I use tubs and everything is spot on.

[chapskis1]

I had the same exact problem -- I was using two uth's. The warm and the cool side temps were fine, but my ambient was only at about 70 degrees. A che wasn't really an option for me (no place to install it in my custom wood enclosure). So, I went with a radiant heat panel from Reptile Basics.

I stopped using the uth on the cool side, and installed the heat panel to the ceiling on the cool side. I set the thermostat to 80 for the heat panel, and kept the warm side set at 92 -- voila! Temps are fine, and my ambient stays at 80.

I'd try setting yours up the same way, but with the che instead of a heat panel. I tried using the uth in conjunction with the heat panel, but it seemed like it was overkill, and the two didn't work very well together on the same thermostat. If I put the probe on the floor of the cage, then the heat panel never turned on, and if I raised the probe, then the uth would get too hot.

Sorry to be long winded, but I hope this makes sense, and help!

Just ask if you have more ?'s!

Later,

George