Quote Originally Posted by The Serpent Merchant View Post
I'm really sick of hearing that heat lamps don't provide "the right type of heat" the only advantage of UTH's is that they don't kill the tanks humidity. Heat lamps heat the substrate just as much as any UTH can. humidity issues aside I feel the heat lamps are much safer than UTH, especially for new owners. I think that unless a UTH is on a good proportional thermostat they shouldn't be used, and most beginners are not willing to put out that kind of cash.
You can get a good thermostat for under 100 bucks. I'm actually on the other side of the heat lamp argument. Many people don't think its necessary to put the lamps on a thermostat. I stopped using heat lamps after I realized that they don't mix well with hides. Rock hides act as a thermal conductor, sending in-hide temps over 100. Paper hides can catch on fire. Plastic hides smell if exposed to that type of heat. UTH provide a more gradual warming, therefore making them safer IF USED PROPERLY.

I'm gonna end this right here. Everyone's entitled to their opinions, but let's stay on topic.