exo terra heatwave uth?

[geminibutts]

hey guys! i'm a bit conflicted. my pet store only sells one type of uth and they're the exo terra heatwave ones so i was wondering if they work well. here's what they look like.




i'm getting a ball python. i've heard the rainforest type doesn't get hot enough which is a big deal because it gets cold in the winter and hot in the summer where i live so i was thinking of using the desert one. we have heat and ac but i'm still worried! it says to only use on glass but i have a plastic cage and i'm a bit worried about that. i'm not sure if they say that for insurance or because it will actually melt the plastic. also i use newspaper so should i use more newspaper or switch to the more expensive substrate? what do ya'll think?

[Lady mkrj58]

I need to go and read on this Brand on the dos an don't , is your Habitat thick plastic or ???? Also these are put on the outside of your tank and One thing you will need no matter what is a good thermostat Im going to research the Brand and I will return.

Sent from my SGH-T999

[Eric Alan]

Actually, it really isn't going to matter much at all what type you buy as long as it is the appropriate physical dimensions for your enclosure. Both will easily be able to make a 90°F hot spot for you.

What is going to matter, regardless of which one you choose, is connecting it to a quality thermostat to ensure those temps don't get any hotter than is safe for your new addition. An unregulated heat mat is not something that you want to subject your ball python to.

Lastly, substrate choice is going to be up to you. The most important factors are going to be how easy it is for you to keep clean, that it is not too thick to get in the way of your heat pad working properly, and how well it holds humidity (only if you have issues with that). I use Repti-Zorb liners in all of my tubs and don't plan on changing things up any time soon.

[The Golem]

I've been running an ExoTerra Desert Heat Wave UTH for over a year without problems, on glass tank. It can go over 100F so as other said, needs a good thermostat to control it.
One other point: heat is supplied by a wire running through the pad, so the temp can slightly vary in places, You should check the temp in more than one spot, ie under the hide and an area outside the hide.

[carlisleishere]

I had the rainforest one and it barely got to 80. I would get the desert one but make sure to hook it up to a thermostat

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[Albert Clark]

Reptile basics has a better product that is safer also. That product is the ultratherm heat mat, that has a pulsating wave of heat that travels across the mat and then across the enclosure. It absolutely needs to be regulated with a tstat, rheostat or dimmer. Preferably a tstat. The ultratherms lack the adhesive material that can be problematic. Google Reptile Basics or The Bean Farm.

[PitOnTheProwl]

5 great responses.
Regulation is the key.

[geminibutts]

thank you all! i got the desert one and went shopping for a regulator and couldn't find one at lowes, rural king, or my pet food center. i couldn't believe it, they had no plug in thermostats, no rheostats, and they didn't even have any plug in dimmers! i called the fancy pet store in the rich part of town and they do have them for $29.99 which i will get tomorrow. i'm getting the snake tuesday by the way. i DID find this really cool infrared thermometer gun at rural king that i got for $13.00. i feel like that will come in handy. right now i'm testing the heat pad to make sure it works. thank you all very much!

[Lady mkrj58]

Sorry I crashed I was very tired yesterday I see you are loaded with information now like everyone says get the Thermostat very very important and you must post pictures lol we love are snake babies, looking forward to meeting your new Ball.

Sent from my SGH-T999

[geminibutts]

Sorry I crashed I was very tired yesterday I see you are loaded with information now like everyone says get the Thermostat very very important and you must post pictures lol we love are snake babies, looking forward to meeting your new Ball.

Sent from my SGH-T999

thanks! i'll be sure to post pics. here's a sneak peak (or, you know, the pic the breeder sent me)


i really hope the thermostat i'm getting is good. it would suck to look all over and have to settle. i've heard good things about the uth though