Substrate and Temps

[dr del]

Hi,

Actually I think it might be worth trying not using both aspen and newspaper. Both work well as a substrate on their own - what advantage is there for using the two in combination?

Is it easier to clean or something?


dr del

[DutchHerp]

It helps some people with cleaning; they can just lift up the newspaper along with the substrate and trow it out.

[dr del]

Hi,

Ah ok.

I just do that with the plain newspaper - what does the aspen bring to the party?


dr del

[JohnNJ]

I just do that with the plain newspaper - what does the aspen bring to the party?

I wanted the aspen to help control the smell. I read that newspaper does not absorb and does nothing for the odor.

I don't really care about the newspaper. I was just following the suggestions. I guess I'll try aspen alone at the next cleaning and keep the glass temp around 95 on the hot side.

"Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in." - Godfather III

[dr del]

Hi,

Well you're perfectly right about newspaper not controling smell of absorbing very well.

But then I replace it totally everytime they poop or pee so that doesn't really matter much in real terms.

Hope you get it sorted.


dr del

[MUSTANGGTANDGSXR]

I wanted the aspen to help control the smell. I read that newspaper does not absorb and does nothing for the odor.

I don't really care about the newspaper. I was just following the suggestions. I guess I'll try aspen alone at the next cleaning and keep the glass temp around 95 on the hot side.

"Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in." - Godfather III

thats what i did. i removed the paper towel and just set the uths to 94f and 84f. now i just have cypress mulch and if its not hot enought for them on top theyll have to burrow. now im at peace knowing that if they burrow they wont burn themselfs. good luck and dont get discouraged.

[Argentra]

Precisely. The whole reason for setting the probe for the thermometer against the glass is to keep track of and control the hottest temp. If it's not perfect on top of the substrate and they want to get warmer, they'll burrow. The very fact that they do this means you want the temp at the glass (or plastic) to be a safe level.

Not sure why you have that extreme difference of temps from glass to substrate top...that's strange. Have you tried placing the tank on a layer of foil to help spread the heat? Sometimes UTHs get concentrated hot spots and won't heat evenly. Just a suggestion.

But, regardless, I would get the temps on glass to no higher than 95 and just go from there. Don't worry as much about substrate temps.

[MUSTANGGTANDGSXR]

Precisely. The whole reason for setting the probe for the thermometer against the glass is to keep track of and control the hottest temp. If it's not perfect on top of the substrate and they want to get warmer, they'll burrow. The very fact that they do this means you want the temp at the glass (or plastic) to be a safe level.

Not sure why you have that extreme difference of temps from glass to substrate top...that's strange. Have you tried placing the tank on a layer of foil to help spread the heat? Sometimes UTHs get concentrated hot spots and won't heat evenly. Just a suggestion.

But, regardless, I would get the temps on glass to no higher than 95 and just go from there. Don't worry as much about substrate temps.

this the the 1st most direct answer anyone here has given. thanks

[Little B-Py]

Do you live in a cold house? I do and I know it is hard to keep the temps right in my tubs.

[JohnNJ]

Have you tried placing the tank on a layer of foil to help spread the heat? Sometimes UTHs get concentrated hot spots and won't heat evenly. Just a suggestion.

Funny you said that. I picked up a roll of Reflectix at Lowes today during lunch. I'll be trying that next.

JohnNJ