Will uth burn plastic?

[iLoveBPs]

will a uth burn a plastic enclosure, i dont have a thermostat at the moment and its a zoo-med uth. which heats to 100f constant it says. would this burn plastic enclosure, and if so what could i use to put between the plastic and uth?

[AndrewGeibel]

No, it will likely not burn the plastic.

That being said it will be much too hot for your snake and you should never put a UTH on an enclosure unless it is controlled by at the least a rheostat or preferably a thermostat.

[LadyOhh]

It may not burn it, but it can melt it.

I know from personal experience (got a used rack from someone who didn't use a thermostat... Several tubs had melted holes thru them at the bottoms...)

I don't suggest EVER working with a heat source without some controls on it.

[bsash]

No, it will not burn the plastic, but it will melt and warp it so bad that you would need to get a new tub. I just had that happen to me last week, but it was a thermostat malfunction.

[iLoveBPs]

will piece of cardboard between the plastic and uth regulate it until i can get a thermostat?

[bsash]

You may need a couple of pieces of cardboard, but you could try it and see if you can achieve a good temperature for the snake. It is a good suggestion, but I would not leave it unattended for long periods of time until you have established it will not get too hot.

[mpkeelee]

try luminum foil between the UTH and tub, prolly like 4 or 5 layers. that should keep a lot of heat out for now, but u do really need a thermostat

[iLoveBPs]

im planning on buying thermostat asap :/

[dr del]

Hi,

If your room temps are reasonably stable you might be able to get away with a dimmer until you get your thermostat.

I think the one most people use is the lutron lamp dimmer from Lowes for about $10.

It is far from perfect - but gives you a bit more control than a bit of cardboard.


dr del