heat rocks?

[LORI34205]

Hey i have heard alot of reviews about savannah monitors and some say no heat rock and some say its ok?any opinions?If i get one with a thermostat hooked up to it it should be ok right?

[Zoe]

No, don't use heatrocks. Even if they are on the lowest setting a powersurge can cause a huge temp fluctuation that could burn your sav.

[LORI34205]

ok
any other opinions are still welcome
are there any other bottom heat sources?

[markb]

Hi,
Hot rocks are piece of SH$T pure and simple....do not waste your time or $$ on them. Provide a deep substrate of dirt, quality heat lamps, ample water, large enclosure (preferably wooden cage) and enjoy your varanid....

Good luck,
markb

[Jeff_Favelle]

Listen to these people. Hot rocks suck. Varanids need heat from above anyways, so your question is moot. But even if they didn't NO KNOWLEDGABLE keeper would ever recommend a hot rock. Never in a million years.

[LORI34205]

not even melissa kaplins great review on savannahs huh?
http://www.anapsid.org/savannah.html

[LORI34205]

less than a million years btw

[Zoe]

Lori you asked opinions on rot rocks and recieved them. Surely the 100% negative view of them ought to indicate something. Just because one person suggests their use (while also providing many articles detracting them!) it doesn't mean they are safe.

If you aren't going to take the advice of people here after asking for it because you have "proof" that hot rocks are okay, why bother asking in the first place?

Zoe

[LORI34205]

well............hes tryin this knowledgeble people crap not in a million years and thats not true,thankyou for the opinions,even the people who lay it out like a jerk i will not be getting a heat rock
k!

[V.hb]

Lori, hot rocks are known to have hot spots that can severly burn your reptile... It's unfortunate people do buy them as most pet stores push them. They're unsafe really, and I really wouldn't recommend one... Look at the bright side, a heat lamp and a bulb would be a cheaper investment anyways, heat rocks cost alot.. and are just downright unsafe.

[BoidKeeper]

Look at it from the herps point of view, the rest of the cage is freezing and one spot is about 135 degrees. To a herp it's sometime more important to be the right temp then to be burned. They site there trying to warm up and get burned in the process. I've measured the surface with my reytek and they get over 135 degress.
Trevor

[The_Omen]

I really don't trust too many of Melissa Kaplans care guides as she does seem to put out some bad info and on more than one occasion.
Also, there is a growing concensus on other sites, that MK has ulterior motives in the pet industry, especially since most of her links and supporters have been linked with groups like PETA and others that really want to eliminate all animals being kept by humans for any reason.

But, back on the subject, yes, even thermostatically controlled hot rocks are bad.
Over time, even the best built hot rock, will have degradation to the coils and the varience in resistance will cause some hot spots that can burn any animal.

[Jeff_Favelle]

Ha ha, if you're suggesting that Melissa Kaplan is a knowledable herper, then you haven't read too many of those caresheets. I'm talking about people who have actually BRED monitors. People who WORK WITH MONITORS People who have kept more than ONE SPECIES of monitors.

These are the people you should be getting your advice from. That wesbite is like the department store of caresheets. Basic, cheap advice. Great to get started, but its not going to get you very far.

[Jeff_Favelle]

And who "layed it out like a jerk"?? You asked a question and got 3 RIGHT answers immediately. No one called you names, no one sayed it was a dumb question, and no one put you down. How is that being a jerk? Was it bad because you had this predetermined answer in your head and it wasn't what you wanted it to be?

Its almost like you took the time to try and find a caresheet that would support your use of a hot rock, just to try and prove the people here wrong. That sounds jerky to me.

[markb]

You're right Jeff, and the old proverb, you can bring a horse to water but you cannot make him drink "may" apply here.... it's up to her, and nobody else to make her opinion, but - she asked our opinions, we gave it, nothing more can be said and/or done...end of discussion....but next time, maybe we (I) will not be so forth-coming in my opinion, if she has already made up her mind anyway??

Good Luck,
markb

[LORI34205]

ok thanks everyone everything is appreciated no lets just drop it ok

[reverendsterlin]

this crud needs to be deleted

[LORI34205]

i agree

[Jeff_Favelle]

MarkB, I hear ya man. I mean, its hard to give advice when its thrown back in your face. I mean, if you said something about monitors, I'd cut, paste and save it in an MS Word file immediately. I do it all the time with stuff that you, SteveB and FR write. Seriously. I can't believe it sometimes how ungrateful people are and how they think they are being attacked, when in reality, they are being helped more so than anywhere else.

And I don't think this thread should be deleted. There was no slander, there was no name-calling, and 2 VERY VALUABLE lessons were taught to potential varanid keepers: 1) Never use a hot rock, and 2) Monitors require basking heat from above, not from a UTH (usually).

This is good stuff? Why be so sensitive about the other posts? I've seen a LOT worse stuff fly here than that.

A lot.

[LORI34205]

Holy god!
what dont u get i understand ok
im sorry for any gentle little advice feelings may have been hurt
no just plz stop

I got it loud and clear

ok

[paul_le_snake]

you causing troubla again jeff???
cheers
paul
ps hot rocks are the work of satan himself

[Jeff_Favelle]

Paul, I wonder if she got it yet?

[LORI34205]

u people can sometimes be so immature



i really wonder how

[markb]

Hi Lori,

Re: immaturity business:

I think it has something to do with the fact we pee standing up!! It's in our genes! hahaha

Take it in stride Lori....

Cheers,
markb

[LORI34205]

well that was so funny maybe illl laugh.......................maybe not:mad:

[Zoe]

lol Lori relax... they were just kidding around with you because you refused to take advice you asked for at first. But now you know, no harm done, they're just joshin ya!

So chill, you'll live longer :P

Zoe

[LORI34205]

lol i know its just that tis post is so exhausted and over with

[Jeff_Favelle]

lol i know its just that tis post is so exhausted and over with

Tell that to the 10,000's of monitors that have gotten burned and/or died from the use of hot rocks. I'm sure that will be very comforting to them.

[LORI34205]

blah blah blah


ITS OVER

[Dragoon]

NO, it's not.

I understand Jeff's point entirely.
As long as newbies kick this question around, it will never be over.
Lori, do you really think these posts are written to YOU and YOU alone? Grow up. Its a public forum, all sorts of people read them, but don't post. Its referred to as 'lurking'.
When someone (such as yourself) brings up a topic that is potentially harmful to the animals we love, its good that people like Jeff and MarkB take the time to write about it. Lord knows its been covered many times over how bad hot rocks are, yet STILL new people wonder if they should use them.

Get it? NOT JUST YOU, the many many people out there who might be reading. Get over yourself. You keep acting like what was generously posted in this thread, was for you. Sorry, but you're not the only reader, and with your bad manners, no one would really have wasted their time posting, if it was just for you.
D.

[LORI34205]

I understand that this post is very usefull to people but it is done and over with people can lurk all they want but im just saying theres nothing else to be said let the people look at this post and learn about heat rocks go ahead it will tell them something if they have questions let em ask just stop posting crap like jeff loves to do

[Zoe]

Lori hun, really, don't take all this to heart!

Jeff has worked with herps since forever and has tremendous success... it probably offended him (or miffed him) to see his advice not being taken when someone asked for it. Had you accepted his advice right away and not been rude about it, there would have been no problems.

But once again, Jeff was just joshing you and I'm sure he meant you no offense. No one wants to give advice to someone who doesnt accept it, right?

I understand its over - so stop replying! But you can't take this to heart... some people are less tolerant and you need to take it in stride and do whats best for your herps, not your ego.

Zoe

[LORI34205]

okokokokok
no lets all not reply ok?
(dont reply to that)

[Jeff_Favelle]

I'll reply to anything If I want to! Ha ha. And saying "blah blah blah is what we call immature. Not discussing things herp-related (which is what I was doing).

But yes, as Dragoon said, the replies weren't really meant for you. I stopped caring to bother to try and help you after reading exactly TWO of your posts. No joke. I actually took the time to write something because I felt that if even one insane WC nile or savannah had at least a 10% better life because of something I said, it would have been worth it.

I have no idea what you're getting so upset about and the amount to how little I care can't even be measured. But it sure is weird. I would love to get corrected or argued with on things. Its the best. It had only two outsomes for me, and both are good:

1) I learn something new and my knoweldge about herps increases (good thing).

2) I solidify and support an idea(s) that I already knew was right.

But you're like the little kid that is trying to take his/her ball away from the game to go home. Unfortunately, after your tirades, no one wants to play with you anyways.

You're making it hard for people to want to help you. Not a good thing when you don't know too much about a subject to begin with.

[LORI34205]

i didnt bother rearding your last post just because....................it was you.BUt why dont we try leaving this post alone:)

[LORI34205]

just do me a favor and dont post in my posts and i wont post in yours, thatll make me WHOLE bunch happier seems how we cant see eye to eye on anything. If you have anything else to say go ahead and say it(so i can just laugh to myself)
take care all!:)

[Linds]

Lori,
No need to get in a huff :) As Zoe said, don't take it to heart. Nobody else is ;) Can't let people get to you. Its just that you asked a question but then pretty well refused the answer, that really gets to a lot of people... I'm sure you could see why ;) And don't get in a huff over Jeff....lol :p He pisses a lot of people off with his sarcasm and manner, but thats jsut Jeff for ya :p, and believe me when I say we've had our differences, and I don't agree with some of his practices either, but regardless, he has a lot of great knowledge of herps and a lot to contribute to everyones posts, yours included :)

<center>***************</center>


I don't think anyone really has anymore to say... the threads a bit worn out... lets quit the back and forth bickering :)

[fanmaninacan]

Hey
Never thought of using a thermostat.....GOOD IDEA :)

I think it would be fine...Cuz it is controlled.


T.P

[fanmaninacan]

WHOAAA!!!..
OMG!!....what happend EVERY 1 calm DOWN!........
!!!!!!!
No need to be mad!
BE friends!!!!
kiss and make up!!!;)

T.P

[fanmaninacan]

hey...I dun get ya pple.....Look at leat tape...That stuff burns ur house down!!!!!!!!......But is u use a thermostat---IT MAKES it a GREAT invention....
sSO.....if u use a heatrock..n Hook it up to a Dimmer.....Im not

gonna try it but......Wouldnt it be???

Im not the best hands on electrical/building person.....But it would work right??/...If u dunt agree(most ppl dun) support ur answer...

T.P

[LORI34205]

Thats what i thought bout i have many opinions saying ok and some saying no.I dunno all i wanted was a heat source for night time

[NewLineReptile]

Lori you could always use a under tank heater of if you want a human heat pad in the tank under the dirt would work as well the heat rock is really a bad idea no matter what you do to it
i have a box full of heat rock's that has come with reptile's i have got and i use the human heat pad in the dirt for my savannah and it works great

good luck

Brandon

[fanmaninacan]

Hey..Lori if thats all, BETTER be safe then sorry right?....

So just get the human heat pads..Or even the red night bulbs..

T.P

[Linds]

Even if wired to a thermostat, it is still a hazard. The reason is that it does not heat evenly. YOu get cool spots and hot spots, making it impossble to measure and even temp, let alone control it. Its not that the entire thing gets too hot, if that were the case then it would be fine to hook it up to some sort of control. The best heat rocks are the natural made ones. Just put a big rock under the basking light and let it heat up naturally and safely :)

[LORI34205]

i have a red bulb but...........................250 WATT of a red bulb
this thing could like light fire on fire it gets so hot

[meluvstgr]

I have a 100 watt on my savannah right now. It's not hot enough, tho, so I'm gonna go get a 150. They are right about the heat rocks, tho. I learned that when I got my first snake. As soon as I found out, I was like, "Oh crap! Gotta fix that!"

What I use is a 100 watt during the day, and a 100 infrared at night. Then I use a UV light 14 hours in the daytime. I would love to learn more about savannahs on this site, but there are going to be things I don't agree with, I'm sure, just because of all the research I've done on them, before I even got Mikey. I do not go by online care sheets. Like someone on this site said, they are basic...but not always what's best.

I have the book, The Savannah Monitor Lizard - The truth about Varanus exanthematicus by Daniel Bennett and Ravi Thakoordyal.

Anyone else read it?

[markb]

Hi,
Bennett and Thakoordayal book is excellent! You might want to try placing several lower wattage light atop your cage rather than 1 hot light - this way you can also regulate temp when it is too hot, and get a batter heat gradient when needed....is your night light red or blue colored? Also, 14 hrs a/day? Nowhere on planet earth does it exceed 12, just some thoughts...
good luck,
markb

[Zoe]

Nowhere on planet earth does it exceed 12, just some thoughts...

Ah ah Mark, are you forgetting the poles?

:D :D

Zoe

[meluvstgr]

Well, I read that they should get 12-14 hours of UV. I can lower it if everyone thinks that is too much. I have it on a timer.

And I don't have room on top of my cage for that many lights. And it never gets too hot. I have the air on in my house all the time to make sure the temperature stays the same.

And the night light is one of those nocturnal black ones.