Heat Lamps or UTHs

[forza_inter]

which do you guys prefer and why??

reason i ask is that i currently have my female Dum in a large glass aquarium (4' x 1' x 2') i thought it was too big for her when i got her, but she did so well for a while i didnt think there was a problem. Then she stopped eating last Sept...i dont know if it was because of brumation or something else. Her temps and humidity were good, her sheds were almost perfect, and she didnt lose any weight. 7 months later she finally ate again after i tried a f/t mouse instead of a rat.

I had already planned to move her to a rubbermaid tub to see if that would help before she ate, and i still kind of want to. Shes almost 3 ft now and the narrow aquarium might be getting too narrow for her. But if i do that i'll have to go with a UTH, and i only have experience using heat lamps.

Ive heard stories about UTHs burning snakes and that they arent as "natural" as heat lamps. Just wanted to hear your opinions and any tips would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks :)

[Kingsnakechris]

IMO belly hear is better. If you do decide to go with the UTH on the rubbermaid get a thermostat or at the very least a light dimmer. I'm guessing you have all the thermometers and what not?

[Raan]

As fair as I have been told, UTH is the better option for humidity now in a rubbermaid idk if the humidity is much of a issue but in the aquarium it most likely is. Also the UTH will just stick on the bottom and ur done with it that lamp you will have to find a way to mount it and not melt anything or allow your snake to touch it.

[reptile65]

You really shouldn't have to worry about your snake being burned by a UTH as long as you use a thermostat. They can easily reach temps of 130+ so a thermostat is an absolute MUST.

[Kingsnakechris]

As fair as I have been told, UTH is the better option for humidity now in a rubbermaid idk if the humidity is much of a issue but in the aquarium it most likely is. Also the UTH will just stick on the bottom and ur done with it that lamp you will have to find a way to mount it and not melt anything or allow your snake to touch it.

It's easier then you think adding a lamp to a rubbermaid, I just cut a hole a bit bigger then the dome in the lid and picked up a cheap screen lid, I cut the screen out to the size I needed and placed it over the hole, the only tricky part is attaching it. I used small screws going inside out and I cut the ends of the screws off. Pretty easy...

[forza_inter]

yea i'll def be investing in all the necessary thermostats and all that if i do decide to go with the tub...i got a UTH when i first bought the snake off the "big apple pet supply" website and it comes with a "low, med, high" adjustment already built in which is pretty convenient. Its still in the package i never ended up using it

This is it:

Adjust-A-Temp Reptile Heat Mats (http://www.bigappleherp.com/Big-Apple-Adjust-A-Temp-Heat-Mats-Model-CA?sc=2&category=14)

[Lankyrob]

I have ceramic heating elements (heatbulbs) in with all my snakes. This theory that only an UTH can provide belly heat is silly, how do snakes in the wild get belly heat??? The sun heats the floor and they absorb the heat - a heat bulb heats the substrate and the snake absorbs the heat, its exactly the same process.

[Kingsnakechris]

I have ceramic heating elements (heatbulbs) in with all my snakes. This theory that only an UTH can provide belly heat is silly, how do snakes in the wild get belly heat??? The sun heats the floor and they absorb the heat - a heat bulb heats the substrate and the snake absorbs the heat, its exactly the same process.

Do you use tubs? Just curious how you would use ceramics in a sterilite/rubbermaid

[Lankyrob]

I have all purpose built vivariums, smallest is 3ftx2ftx18in

[Kingsnakechris]

Ah, I see. Would you recommend those for kings?

[Kingsnakechris]

All purpose built, did you build them? Sorry didn't see the "built" part.

[Fredricks]

Do you think UTHs are better on electricity or worse? I've been thinking of switching to a rack system instead of terrariums wih heat lamps

[Terranaut]

I like to view my snakes so a rack is not for me. My plan is to use radiant heat panels on the 2 enclosures I am building. So kinda like the ceramic bulbs but no need to cover them. Your snake can touch them and bot get burned. They have a 10 yr warranty. I figure if I bought a ceramic bulb,proper fixture and a safety cover it would cost more than the panel.
I currenty use uth. Never had an issue. Just thinking this is a better way to go.

[USMCgunner11]

I like to view my snakes so a rack is not for me. My plan is to use radiant heat panels on the 2 enclosures I am building. So kinda like the ceramic bulbs but no need to cover them. Your snake can touch them and bot get burned. They have a 10 yr warranty. I figure if I bought a ceramic bulb,proper fixture and a safety cover it would cost more than the panel.
I currenty use uth. Never had an issue. Just thinking this is a better way to go.

I use these and love them. They use less energy to heat the same area as well. Well worth the investment

[Kingsnakechris]

How much do the panels cost? And what sizes do they come in?

[USMCgunner11]

How much do the panels cost? And what sizes do they come in?

They come in a wide variety of sizes and can get very large for bigger enclosures. Two of the best manufacturers are Reptile Basics and Pro Products IMO. I have the Reptile Basics one and paid $80 something for mine. They both have a 10 year warranty

[KORBIN5895]

Do you think UTHs are better on electricity or worse? I've been thinking of switching to a rack system instead of terrariums wih heat lamps

Well a 100watt bulb cost more to run than a piece of 23 watt flexwatt.

[Kingsnakechris]

They come in a wide variety of sizes and can get very large for bigger enclosures. Two of the best manufacturers are Reptile Basics and Pro Products IMO. I have the Reptile Basics one and paid $80 something for mine. They both have a 10 year warranty

I wonder how well they would heat the enclosure I'm planning on building. If possible, I'd like to stay away from heat lamps. But $80 isn't to bad considering the warranty is good for 10 years,...

[USMCgunner11]

I wonder how well they would heat the enclosure I'm planning on building. If possible, I'd like to stay away from heat lamps. But $80 isn't to bad considering the warranty is good for 10 years,...

They claim to have a life up to 25 years but I've heard about people using them for longer. If you're planning on building a wooden enclosure then they would work great.

[Kingsnakechris]

Would they be able to heat through the substrate I'm going to be using? (Aspen is my preferred substrate)

[Fredricks]

Well a 100watt bulb cost more to run than a piece of 23 watt flexwatt.

What's better heat tape or a heat cable?

[Terranaut]

Would they be able to heat through the substrate I'm going to be using? (Aspen is my preferred substrate)

These panels mount up top and heat more like the sun. In the wild you seldom find places where the ground is warmer than the air. Uth is kinda unnatural.
http://www.helixcontrols.com/Heating%20Panel%20Installed.jpg

[Kingsnakechris]

I think if your heating multiple enclosures then heat cable would be the better option, but for single enclosures I'd go with the tape.

[Kingsnakechris]

These panels mount up top and heat more like the sun. In the wild you seldom find places where the ground is warmer than the air. Uth is kinda unnatural.
http://www.helixcontrols.com/Heating%20Panel%20Installed.jpg

Thank you! I was thinking of something totally different. This would be perfect for what I'm building.

[USMCgunner11]

Would they be able to heat through the substrate I'm going to be using? (Aspen is my preferred substrate)

Those types of heaters get mounted to the ceiling of the enclosure and work in the same manner as a CHE. The difference is that it covers a larger area and lasts longer than CHEs. It provides heat in a similar manner as the sun in that it doesn't just heat the air. So whatever is directly in the basking area should be fairly warm to the touch. Like your car when it's been sitting in direct sunlight.

[Kingsnakechris]

Thanks! That's what I'm going to use for heating my new enclosure.

[USMCgunner11]

Thanks! That's what I'm going to use for heating my new enclosure.

One more thing, they work best with a pulse proportional thermostat. Those can get kinda pricey but you will def need a thermostat for these.