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Glass Vivs & UTH

snakehips

snakehips

New member
Sorry to go on about this issue but I have searched the forums and cannot seem to find a resolution, so here goes!
Has anyone experienced a UTH causing a glass tank to crack, I understand that you should not put too much substrate above the UTH, but I can only see reference to substrates like beech chips and sand which are all quite dense with good insulative properties. I am planning on using Aspen, so how thick can I go without causing a problem.
I will also eventually get a mat stat to regulate my Habistat mat but I am struggling to feed the cable for the probe through the top of the tank without creating an escape route for the little fellow!

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Just to let you know this is all got to be ready for my daughters christmas present, who has been frantically going through Kathy Loves' book among others for the last 3 months
 
It's not the amount of bedding it's the temperature being too high that causes the glass to crack. A thermostat and some air circulation under the tank (I've used little stick on rubber feet but a few coins work just as well) should make sure this doesn't happen.
 
You should get a thermostat or something to regulate the heat output right away . Otherwise it will be too hot for a corn snake.
 
If you ever completely clean the tank with water, make sure you let the tank to cool down after unplugging the UTH. Cold water splashing on hot glass will break it.

I use a glass tank with an UTH connected to a Rheostat which does not have a probe in the tank. This does mean it takes awhile to get the temp just right, but it works pretty good for me.

For substrate, I use thick layers of paper towel. Eventually I plan to try aspen, but for now, paper towels make it quick and easy for a newbie like me to spot and remove poo.

I haven't had any problems with cracking or breaking =)

-Janel
 
Thanks Guys!

Me thinks I know what to do know to prevent any cracked tanks now.

Merry Christmas to you all :santa:
 
I don't know why you are so worried, I have 5 different tanks of varying brands and types, all glass, all with UTHs and none of them has cracked. I never even worried about cracking, or even knew it could happen until this thread. UTHs don;t get that hot as long as you keep them regiulated, and even unrefulated I don;t think they get hot enough to crack aquarium glass.
 
My UTH instructions does warn about possibility of stress cracks from the head of the pad against glass and warns that the little feet should be used to allow some airflow through under the tank.
 
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