heat rocks

iBaman · 11-20-12, 10:59 PM

Is there anything useful that can be done with them? I feel bad just throwing them away...

EmbraceCalamity · 11-20-12, 11:02 PM

Can you take out the heater and just use it as a regular rock? That's probably all that can be done.

~Maggot

iBaman · 11-20-12, 11:04 PM

haven't looked that close...they're real rocks though. I always thought heat rocks were plastic

EmbraceCalamity · 11-20-12, 11:05 PM

I thought so too. That's weird. =/

~Maggot

iBaman · 11-20-12, 11:10 PM

oops, it's ceramic, not 'real' rock. but still, always thought they were plastic

OSMDEATHOWNER · 11-20-12, 11:42 PM

Find an iggy owner, i used them for mine when i was a kid, they like them

EmbraceCalamity · 11-20-12, 11:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OSMDEATHOWNER

Find an iggy owner, i used them for mine when i was a kid, they like them

But they're not at all safe.

Quote:

Originally Posted by iBaman

oops, it's ceramic, not 'real' rock. but still, always thought they were plastic

Oh, okay. I dunno if there's anything you can do with it. You try Google? /useless

~Maggot

DeesBalls · 11-21-12, 01:23 AM

cut off cord/take out heating element... use for decor

bout all there is.

iBaman · 11-21-12, 02:04 AM

lmao, that's it then, eh? What if i used it on the OUTSIDE of my tarantula's tank to keep it a little warmer?

Also, just looked at them, and I feel bad for the reptile that had to use those...there are scales BURNED INTO IT. =[ And another question...do they not work when hooked to a tstat?

StudentoReptile · 11-21-12, 06:15 AM

They "can" work without a thermostat, but obviously, there is no way to regulate how hot they will get. Many will easily exceed 140'F, and then people place them right under the basking lamp, making it hotter.

Using it by itself is not good because most reptiles (most animals for that matter) tend to associate light with heat. They seek the sun for warmth. If you have no lights, and just have this belly heat, it is very hard for them to instinctually move off or on to regulate their own body temps. If you DO have proper lighting and basking lamps, there really is no need for one; just use a real stone or rock and place it underneath the lamp. It will naturally get the proper basking temps and retain the temps well at night after lights are out.

As others said, just unplug, cut the cord off with a box cutter, and just use it as a "real" rock decoration.

**Pareeeee** · 11-21-12, 07:46 AM

I have a ceramic one as well. The only reason I keep it is for emergencies, or to heat a feeding tub or snake bath tub in the winter when our apartment is cool. Gotta check on the thing constantly to make sure it doesn't get too hot. I would never advise anyone to use it as a permanent heat source. Since they have the ability to get too hot you'd have to be checking on it ALL THE TIME, and that would be an absolute pain.

infernalis · 11-21-12, 08:10 AM

I used a bigger one before by elevating the tank on 2x4 boards so there was about an inch gap from the top of the hot rock and the bottom of the tank.

The warmth was gentle.

Now, this fear of fire junk can be dispelled right now.. if the hot rock was manufactured anytime in the last two decades, it has a thermal cutout fuse, just like a coffee maker or curling iron. It's the law that any heating device manufactured for retail sale have this safety feature.

ANY hot rock fires from recent years are the fault of homemade cob job rocks, I remember a guy a few years back who was making hot rocks out of extension cords, resistors and cement. Luckily he went out of business fast.

Wildside · 11-21-12, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by infernalis

I used a bigger one before by elevating the tank on 2x4 boards so there was about an inch gap from the top of the hot rock and the bottom of the tank.

The warmth was gentle.

Now, this fear of fire junk can be dispelled right now.. if the hot rock was manufactured anytime in the last two decades, it has a thermal cutout fuse, just like a coffee maker or curling iron. It's the law that any heating device manufactured for retail sale have this safety feature.

ANY hot rock fires from recent years are the fault of homemade cob job rocks, I remember a guy a few years back who was making hot rocks out of extension cords, resistors and cement. Luckily he went out of business fast.

I use them.

They make a good basking area for a few species but I don't recommend them, especially to people who only check on their animals every few days. I check on mine everyday and put my hand on the heat rock to make sure the warmth is still gentle. They also get shut off at night which imo plays a part in them not getting "too hot".

KORBIN5895 · 11-21-12, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wildside

I use them.

They make a good basking area for a few species but I don't recommend them, especially to people who only check on their animals every few days. I check on mine everyday and put my hand on the heat rock to make sure the warmth is still gentle. They also get shut off at night which imo plays a part in them not getting "too hot".

You have definitely earned your screen name.

MoreliAddict · 11-21-12, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KORBIN5895

You have definitely earned your screen name.