Heating Conundrum

[kevinhen16]

My overhead heat bulbs do not seem to keep the terrarium quite hot enough for my BP (high 70s-80F). I wanted to go with an under-the-tank heater solution; however, while the bottom of my tank is glass, there is plastic covering the underside of it (the side facing the shelf). Most UTHs advise not to place them on plastic, as melting is an obvious concern. I was thinking of getting something to put under the substrate (cypress mulch), but wasn't sure what options there might be for this. I could also place a UTH on the side of the tank, but I've heard it is usually better to heat from under the snake, as they are accustomed to belly heating. Any advice? Thank you!

[Regius_049]

1. First, people use UTHs on plastic all the time, if not more than glass. You are likely referring to the zoo-med / zilla heat mats which are designed for glass, but there are many UTHs which are designed for either and people use them on plastic all the time. The safest in my opinion are the ultratherm heaters.

2. You can put UTHs inside an enclosure, but it is generally not recommended because you have to be more careful with placement and other details. Specifically that you have to make sure that there is no exposed adhesive that could get on the snake and that the snake cannot come between your thermostat probe and your heating element for any extended period of time (ideally not at all).

Both of these require a thermostat to regulate the temperature, which you may be using but you do not mention. I am aware the commercial zoo-med heat pads do not strictly say to use a thermostat, but you really should.

[PitOnTheProwl]

Any UTH needs to be regulated by a THERMOSTAT.
A properly regulated UTH would not melt plastic any faster than you holding it in your hand.
Also a regulated UTH is only for a hot spot and does little to nothing for ambient temperatures.

[Craiga 01453]

Pit beat me to this one...

Your UTH is there solely to provide a hot spot which aids in digestion. Your ambient temps are controlled by an additional heat source (Heat bulb, CHE or RHP).

All heat sources should DEFINITELY be controlled by a thermostat.

...And like Pit said, a regulated heat mat will NOT melt plastic. Think about it like this: If you want a hot spot of about 92, then your mat will need to be set somewhere around 95-99 depending on ambient room temps, etc... Your body temp is around 98 and does not melt plastic, so your mat will not either.

[kevinhen16]

Thank you all for the answers! I will go ahead with a UTH to create a warm spot, as well as a CHE to increase the overall ambient heat. And yes, of course I will use thermostats. Thanks again. Cheers!