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Need Help: Plastic viv and heat pads

W

weezle89

New member
Right now I am housing my hatchling corn is a small 5 gal tank, but my grandpa found a cheap plastic aquarium, made for reptiles, that is the same size as a 20Long. The only problem is it is too big to be totally heated by a light and I don't know of any UTHs that are safe to use on plastic.

I have two ?'s:
1) Are there any UTHs that are safe for plastic tanks?
2) If there are, are they warm enough to be the main heat source?

Thanks
 
I used to attach a UTH to a ceramic tile and just set it below an elevated plastic kritter keeper. Worked perfectly. So you may try that route.

Other than that, buying a rheostat to turn the wattage going to the UTH down. But even then I wouldn't stick it on the plastic. I just don't like the permanence of them.
 
Is it really plastic?
More than likely it is probably acrylic or another plastic-like material (if it is like a 20L), which can withstand heat up to 180 degrees+. Even Rubbermaid/Sterilite boxes that are commonly used in rack systems are fine with under tank heaters. Remember, the hot side should be less than 90 degrees, which is like a hot summer day. The enclosure will not melt from that temperature. In my opinion, uth's are better anyways in comparison to overhead lights. Hope this helps.
 
This is how mine are set up.

snakes006.jpg


I have never had a problem.
 
I attached mine to a piece of glass from a photo frame and use that directly underneath. I have no problems with it melting a rubbermaid container.
 
Your plastic tank should never get over 90 degrees. If 90 degrees melted plastic, the tank would melt if you picked it up with your bare hands. (unless you've got clammy hands :))
I don't think there would be a problem. Only time a problem would be if the heat pad when on the fritz and got really hot. Even then, they don't usually go over 100, which still isn't a problem for plastic.
 
Slippery Ernie said:
Your plastic tank should never get over 90 degrees. If 90 degrees melted plastic, the tank would melt if you picked it up with your bare hands. (unless you've got clammy hands :))
I don't think there would be a problem. Only time a problem would be if the heat pad when on the fritz and got really hot. Even then, they don't usually go over 100, which still isn't a problem for plastic.
Click to expand...
In fact, a glass tank would be more likely to crack under the stress of uneven heating like that (unless it's tempered glass).
 
Slippery Ernie said:
Your plastic tank should never get over 90 degrees. If 90 degrees melted plastic, the tank would melt if you picked it up with your bare hands. (unless you've got clammy hands :))
I don't think there would be a problem. Only time a problem would be if the heat pad when on the fritz and got really hot. Even then, they don't usually go over 100, which still isn't a problem for plastic.
Click to expand...

Right on!!! You can use any style of under tank heating element as long as a thermostat is in place...
 
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