Size of UTH?

[dadykhoff]

I have an aquarium I am setting up in preparation for the arrival of my BP and was wondering what size of an UTH I should have for a 10gal aquarium with the dimensions 20"x10"x12". I've heard that it should be around half of the base of the tank, is this correct?

Thanks in advance.

[DarrinLowe]

I have always heard 1/3rd of the base of the tank..

If you look right on the packaging for the UTH it usually says 10-20 gallon, 20-30, etc.

It can also depend on the room temperature. Sometimes lower ambients call for a bigger UTH to raise the ambient tank temperature.

[dadykhoff]

I have always heard 1/3rd of the base of the tank..

If you look right on the packaging for the UTH it usually says 10-20 gallon, 20-30, etc.

It can also depend on the room temperature. Sometimes lower ambients call for a bigger UTH to raise the ambient tank temperature.

Okay, so if my ambient room temps are around 70F, should I go with 1/3 of the base or go a little bigger? Thanks for your response.

[PitOnTheProwl]

If you are going to buy an UTH, go with the 10-20gal one. You can cover the top of the tank with something (I use cardboard wrapped in aluminum foil). Also dont forget to get a thermostat or rheostat to control the UTH.

[dadykhoff]

If you are going to buy an UTH, go with the 10-20gal one. You can cover the top of the tank with something (I use cardboard wrapped in aluminum foil). Also dont forget to get a thermostat or rheostat to control the UTH.

Do you have a recommendation for rheostat vs thermostat?

Thermostat sounds nice, but worries me in case it bugs out.

[PitOnTheProwl]

I have a cheap thermostat, and all the rest of my tanks are on dimmers. When I get time and money to build my enclosures there will be a Helix in the budget

[Vypyrz]

Okay, so if my ambient room temps are around 70F, should I go with 1/3 of the base or go a little bigger? Thanks for your response.

I size my UTH's so that they will cover at least 1/3 of the floor space, but not more than 1/2. Going with 1/2 will give you a little extra UTH length in case you need to set the water bowl over it to help with humidity.

Do you have a recommendation for rheostat vs thermostat?

Thermostat sounds nice, but worries me in case it bugs out.

I prefer thermostats because alot of times rheostats need to be adjusted whenever the room temp changes. And sometimes, especially around Spring/Summer, you may find that even on the lowest setting, a rheostat can still be too hot...

[dadykhoff]

I size my UTH's so that they will cover at least 1/3 of the floor space, but not more than 1/2. Going with 1/2 will give you a little extra UTH length in case you need to set the water bowl over it to help with humidity.



I prefer thermostats because alot of times rheostats need to be adjusted whenever the room temp changes. And sometimes, especially around Spring/Summer, you may find that even on the lowest setting, a rheostat can still be too hot...

Do you know where I can get a good thermostat online for fairly cheap? None of my local pet stores had any, so I ended up buying a rheostat. I can return it though.

Also, I saw someone posted a site with good, cheap hides, but I can't find the link again. Does anyone know a good site for cheap hides?

[Vypyrz]

Do you know where I can get a good thermostat online for fairly cheap? None of my local pet stores had any, so I ended up buying a rheostat. I can return it though.

Also, I saw someone posted a site with good, cheap hides, but I can't find the link again. Does anyone know a good site for cheap hides?

Some members on here use the Hydrofarm MTPRTC thermostat:

http://www.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-MTPR...1529683&sr=1-7

And some use the ReptiTemp 500r:

http://www.amazon.com/Zoo-Med-ReptiT...6933314&sr=1-1

The Hydrofarm is a digital thermostat that you set the temp on. The ReptiTemp500r has a dial that you have to tweak until you get it set at the right temp.

I'm not sure which hides you are talking about, but if you are looking for the black plastic ones, here are a couple of links:

http://www.reptilebasics.com/hide-boxes/

http://npicages.com/abs_plastic_hide_boxes.html

[dadykhoff]

Some members on here use the Hydrofarm MTPRTC thermostat:

http://www.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-MTPR...1529683&sr=1-7

And some use the ReptiTemp 500r:

http://www.amazon.com/Zoo-Med-ReptiT...6933314&sr=1-1

The Hydrofarm is a digital thermostat that you set the temp on. The ReptiTemp500r has a dial that you have to tweak until you get it set at the right temp.

I'm not sure which hides you are talking about, but if you are looking for the black plastic ones, here are a couple of links:

http://www.reptilebasics.com/hide-boxes/

http://npicages.com/abs_plastic_hide_boxes.html

Thank you! Those were the exact links I was looking for!