UTH question

[ariez189]

So, I recently received my 30-40 gallon ZooMed heater for my 29 gallon glass ball python tank. I noticed in the instruction book that it recommends using cage carpet for burrowing snakes so they don't go directly on the glass. I have not noticed any burrowing from my ball python. Do I need to get this? The substrate I use is fine aspen shavings.

[KMG]

No. That stuff is hard to clean. It won't keep a snake from getting to the glass either.

[ShaneSilva]

One of our boas spends a lot of time burrowing under his hide directly on the glass. Haven't had any issues with burns or overheating. Just make sure you have your thermostat set up properly and dialed in right.

[PitOnTheProwl]

No carpet just a thermostat to regulate the mat.
Temperature taken under substrate.

[ariez189]

No carpet just a thermostat to regulate the mat.
Temperature taken under substrate.

Thank you so much! This will be helpful when I install it tomorrow. I also have a ZooMed lamp stand with the metal plate that goes under the tank. It will be on the same side as the UTH. Will this be ok? The stand will be put under the UTH. So in other words it would be glass, thermomter probe, UTH, metal lamp stand. The enclosure also sits on an untreated solid pine cabinet.

[KMG]

That will work fine.

I tip when applying a uth is to not actually stick it to the tank bottom. Instead put foil on the sticky part and then use aluminum foil duct tape to secure it to the tank bottom. This makes moving, changing, or replacing the uth much easier down the road.

[ariez189]

That will work fine.

I tip when applying a uth is to not actually stick it to the tank bottom. Instead put foil on the sticky part and then use aluminum foil duct tape to secure it to the tank bottom. This makes moving, changing, or replacing the uth much easier down the road.

Oh, yes! I forgot about the foil.

[cletus]

No carpet just a thermostat to regulate the mat.
Temperature taken under substrate.

Pit's teacher let him put this picture up in the Library at the Art Fair at school. lol

[ariez189]

Pit's teacher let him put this picture up in the Library at the Art Fair at school. lol

So I just installed my uth. I have the thermostat set for 90 degrees, but the glass inside the tank above the uth is only reading in at 82???

[PitOnTheProwl]

Give it a couple hours. Check it again. Then up your thermostat a couple degrees and repeat.
The surface temperature is what you want, not what your thermostat is set at.