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Questions about under tank heaters and cleaning

andyrea

New member
hi all!

hopefully i can get some insight on this...i set up my cage today and after reading the UTH instructions, i realized that you can't take it off after it's been stuck on. i thought that it would be easily removed so cleaning would be super easy (stick it in the bathtub and wash away :)). apparently, this isn't going to work..so....how do you folk with Under tank heaters do thorough cleans and how frequently?

on to my other question. i got a thermometer with a probe and stuck it underneath the substrate and right on the glass. i checked it after a while and it was at 112 degrees F!! that can't be good. then i tried it nestled in the substrate and it was perfect....but i know snakes like to burrow and after reading the horror stories about snakes not moving off of heat rocks when they're too warm...i'm worried. any help on either of these would be fantastic!!! nice to meet you all :)
 
Yeah, the UTH instructions always say to stick them on. But I don't see a reason for it. Anyway, it's there now, so just spray the tank and wipe it down I guess.

Get yourself a rheostat or thermostat. You can find a cheap rheostat at Walmart in the form of a lamp dimmer. Just plug the UTH into it and dial down the heat. Don't leave a 112 degree spot in the cage. Try to get it to 85 degrees. If you have $, a thermostat is best.
 
hi all!

hopefully i can get some insight on this...i set up my cage today and after reading the UTH instructions, i realized that you can't take it off after it's been stuck on. i thought that it would be easily removed so cleaning would be super easy (stick it in the bathtub and wash away :)). apparently, this isn't going to work..so....how do you folk with Under tank heaters do thorough cleans and how frequently?

OK, first thing, make sure the UTH is on the botton on the outside of the tank, right? To clean out the tank, you just need to empty it and use a sponge with water (and maybe a little bleach) to wipe it out. How often to clean is up to you, but once a month or so would be fine.

on to my other question. i got a thermometer with a probe and stuck it underneath the substrate and right on the glass. i checked it after a while and it was at 112 degrees F!! that can't be good. then i tried it nestled in the substrate and it was perfect....but i know snakes like to burrow and after reading the horror stories about snakes not moving off of heat rocks when they're too warm...i'm worried. any help on either of these would be fantastic!!! nice to meet you all :)

You MUST buy a thermosta or rheostatt! These regulates the temperature of the UTH. 112*F is enough to kill your new snake!

You were right the first time, the thermometer probe should be right on the glass. The temp shou;d not get too hot anywhere the snake can touch.
 
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