Why waste money on heat lamps?

[ilovemypets1988]

Originally Posted by bladeblaster

Its called 'Thermal Blocking' which yes is a problem but only when mats are used incorrectly. Usually by people having mats inside the enclosure, and the snake can lie directly on the mat. It also happens when people use mats for UTH 'outside of the enclosure' and sit the enclosure directly on the mat. There should be an air gap between the mat and whatever it is heating, this is clear on the instructions for mats, and is important as it is this that prevents thermal blocking.

thats the one, i know it usually happens when people use them incorrectly but that being said, i had to say it as i really think that is a very valid point withthe use of mats.

[bladeblaster]

Originally Posted by ilovemypets1988

thats the one, i know it usually happens when people use them incorrectly but that being said, i had to say it as i really think that is a very valid point withthe use of mats.

absolutely

[millertime89]

you guys are saying placing the UTH directly on the glass is incorrect and I understand the reasoning, but my new mat has a sticky side that is supposed to be attached directly to the viv and there's supposed to be an air gap between the bottom of the mat and the surface the viv is sitting on. That's what the instructions say on the box.
side note, we might get the first frost of the season tonight, gonna have to see how the set up does. It was 90 here on Monday...

[ilovemypets1988]

Originally Posted by millertime89

you guys are saying placing the UTH directly on the glass is incorrect and I understand the reasoning, but my new mat has a sticky side that is supposed to be attached directly to the viv and there's supposed to be an air gap between the bottom of the mat and the surface the viv is sitting on. That's what the instructions say on the box.
side note, we might get the first frost of the season tonight, gonna have to see how the set up does. It was 90 here on Monday...

yh you should never really use glass as it can crack due to the heat, use a thin piece of mdf (8mm will do) to raise the tank off the stand its on and place the mat in the gap, the mat will then have an air gap which is whats required, use mdf strips and not a hole sheet as the thin strips can be put at each end of the viv to raise it and you will have a gap in between the 2 strips.

[millertime89]

I've already got the tank slightly raised with some rubber grommets that came with the UTH. In addition the tank's base is already elevated as its designed for housing reptiles. So just remove the UTH from the viv and place it on the stand?
I've still got the warranty on the tank, so even if it does crack due to heat (have YOU ever seen this happen? I sure haven't) I'll be able to replace it. I know you Brits are against using aquariums for vivs, but its common practice over here.

[ilovemypets1988]

Originally Posted by millertime89

I've already got the tank slightly raised with some rubber grommets that came with the UTH. In addition the tank's base is already elevated as its designed for housing reptiles. So just remove the UTH from the viv and place it on the stand?
I've still got the warranty on the tank, so even if it does crack due to heat (have YOU ever seen this happen? I sure haven't) I'll be able to replace it. I know you Brits are against using aquariums for vivs, but its common practice over here.

im not against it at all, i used an aquarium for a bp, its only when the mat is directly in contact with the glass will splitting become an issue, but most modern tanks/aquaria will have an air pocket under them anyway.

[millertime89]

understood, but I'm just saying I've never personally seen it. Glass does become brittle when heated, but I've never seen it crack. There usually needs to be an imperfection in the glass (warpage/pit/chip) for it to crack, or a high force. Per physicsit shouldn't crack from heat, heat causes it to expand, its when it is heated and then cooled rapidly that it should crack.

Anyways, enough about physics, its going nowhere. You think I should just detach it and place it on the stand? No need for mdf between it and the stand?

[Gungirl]

I have to ask.. wouldn't the UTH be far to hot for the snake if it was hot enough to crack the tank??

I don't understand the concern of the tank cracking. If your tank gets freezing cold then hot yes it might crack but if you do that to your snake your snake will die.. the UTH keeps the tank at a stable temp not a freezing then hot temp.

I have a UTH on my corns glass tank until his wooden one is finished. I stuck it right to the bottom of the glass tank and have about 1/2" gap below the UTH until the wood shelf it sits on.. been this way for a while no issue at all.

Correct me if I am understanding something wrong or missing something.

[millertime89]

^that's exactly how mine is.

[RandyRhoads]

Originally Posted by millertime89

I've already got the tank slightly raised with some rubber grommets that came with the UTH. In addition the tank's base is already elevated as its designed for housing reptiles. So just remove the UTH from the viv and place it on the stand?
I've still got the warranty on the tank, so even if it does crack due to heat (have YOU ever seen this happen? I sure haven't) I'll be able to replace it. I know you Brits are against using aquariums for vivs, but its common practice over here.

I mist heavily over my UTH and i'm sure with the ammount I use i'm sure some cold water runs on it, i've even messed up and sprayed directly on the glass over it (when my burm dug the substrate off it) and no cracking.

However I have ruined an expensive enclosure by spilling the water dish on the glass over the UTH. Huge crack that seperated shortly after.

[millertime89]

right, a hot, brittle surface (glass) rapidly cooling will result in cracks or breakage.
edit: see post 82
2nd edit: which irronically, might've been my 82nd post