underpad heater

DeesBalls · 10-26-09, 09:02 PM

hey, i just go two undertank heaters, 1 for my KSB, and one for my gecko... do i keep those on all the time? or turn off at night? thanks

citysnakes · 10-26-09, 11:35 PM

you need to plug them into a thermostat to safely and effectively use them as a heat source. until then i wouldnt use them at all.

DeesBalls · 10-27-09, 12:33 AM

can you/someone please explain on where to get the stuff needed?

BP_okay · 10-27-09, 11:08 PM

If you want to save money go to the hardware store, and in the lighting section, you'll find a dimmer(approx. $10). You need a dimmer for each heater. I plug my dimmers into a surge protector just to be safe. Put your UTH under the tank, add your substrate, as this affects heat distrubtion, etc. If you don't have the money for temp. gun, go to the pet store and get a temp. probe. It has a digital readout display with a cord attached to it, that has a little oblong probe thingy on the end(around $10 too). Every hour or so check the temp...just adjust your dimmer until you get it right. BUT PLEASE...don't put your animals in there until you get these UTH's at the optimal temps. On a dimmer, in the wrong direction, they can get crazy hot and fry your reptile. Oh, sterilize the probe when going back and forth between tanks, just so not to transfer anything from one reptile to the other. Sorry if this too detailed, but we've all been there, and I just wanted to be sure I didn't leave anything out.

Good luck,
Traci

BP_okay · 10-27-09, 11:10 PM

Oh, btw, I keep mine on all the time for my sand boa, b/c he has a cool side to retreat too. What temp range are you trying to obtain for the sand boa? I can't help ya w/ the gecko. I'm just a snake girl.

Chu'Wuti · 10-28-09, 07:16 AM

A better solution would be to get something like a digital power center that will run day & night temps for you, such as the Zilla power center: Zilla | Products » Specialty Equipment » 24/7 Digital Timer Power Center

This is one brand, and there are others. You want something that you can preset to turn the temp down some for night temps and up in the a.m. for day temps. It can also turn your lights on & off.

One advantage of this is you won't have to keep changing it like you would your dimmer in order to get lower temps at night, which your snake needs. Another advantage is it makes the heat & light portion of husbandry so much easier!!

You can get the Zilla for between $25-35 on the Internet, so look around.

DeesBalls · 10-28-09, 11:12 AM

ok it dont even feel like the tanks are hot. or even warm, u feel the bottom of the cages and there just barley warm... i have rep carpet with my gecko so i cant get a probe for that one. my KSB seems to be doing fine but its not really all that warm in her cage. how do i get the heaters to be more hot.

citysnakes · 10-28-09, 11:48 AM

you also need to get a digital thermometer before you attempt to adjust temperatures.

DeesBalls · 10-28-09, 12:14 PM

ok so how can i make the undertank heaters hotter? or is there another heating device i can use ( not a light on top, no room )