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Sterilite/rubbermaid containers

midnightgallop

midnightgallop

I can't type...
Hi Everyone,
I was looking around the boards for an answer to this question, but I couldn't seem to find it. If it is here, I apologize, but here's my question: Can a zoomed 1-5 gallon UTH be used with a thermostat on sterilite or rubbermaid containers? Or do i need a flexwatt one/human heating pad?
 
I'm planning to use a couple ZooMed UTHs under Sterilite tubs until I'm able to get some flexwatt; one of the UTH is a 1-5G, the other is larger (20G?), since I'm going to be using it for 2 tubs. I expect that I'll be either putting spacers under the tubs or putting towels between the tubs and heaters, or both, as an extra precaution to keep the temp from getting too high.

I've found that with an adequate amount of space and/or insulation between tank/tub and heater, temps stay quite well with or without a thermostat. Though, of course, having a thermostat is preferable.
 
Ok ok. Thanks for replying. Yeah, I have a thermostat so I can just plug it into that. I was going to use reptile carpet again since it's a nice insulator between the snake and bottom of the cage. Thanks a bunch :)
 
I've got 2 of them going right now, I left the adhesive backing on and just aluminum taped them directly to the bottom of 2 iris shoebox tubs. They're on a wire shelving unit so completely free air movement underneath

2 ZooMed mini UTH, 1 ZooMed 500R thermostat and an accurite digital thermometer with a probe.

No spacer or insulation is needed, just don't run them at full blast without a thermostat or rheostat. Even then they'd probably be ok, the mini ZooMed UTh is considered to be safe for plastic, and a plastic tub needs more than 120 degrees or so to melt.
 
No, I've done the same with the 10 gal size ZooMed and left the adhesive on, just used aluminum foil tape to attach it. It ran for a year on a 500R thermostat with no trouble before I moved everybody to a rack.
Or you could also mount it permanently on a ceramic tile or piece of glass.

If you are running 2 of them off the same thermostat, however you mount it, do it exactly the same for both UTH's.
 
One more question...how many airholes are enough airholes? I only put them in the sides of the container towards the top, not the cover. I didn't want the snake to rub against them on the bottom becuase i had to melt/drill them in and they are kinda rough. Is this good enough?
 
You'll knw after you set the tubs up is there are enough holes. If there isn't enough air flow you'll get condensation and too-high humidity. I think I've got around 30 air holes to each large tub, I use a hot screwdriver to melt them in, it gives smoother edges than when I tried to drill them.
 
Air holes/flexwatt

The number of air holes would really depend on the humidity at your location. I don't know how many I have, just made a line of several along the side. The corn will be exploring up and down and all around so you might want to smooth off any rough edges. If you have hatchlings, I would suggest holes of 1/8 ". There is no exact number of holes, just enough to have fresh air and not be too humid or too dry-watch for condensation on the inside of the container or else your corn spending a lot of time in the water bowl. As for using flexwatt, I have two commercially made racks and both of them had flexwatt already installed.
 
alright. I'll keep watch of the humidty gauge. I also changed to aspen bedding (in addition to changing to sterilite containers). Should I put the probe UNDER the substrate or on it for the hot and cool side? I had a 10 gallon, and I had repti carpet, so I just put the probe on top of that and it was a good indicator (the snake couldn't go underneath it)....but like I said, I never used aspen so I don't know whether to put the probe on or under the bedding because now he can dig. sorry for all the newbie questions haha I appreciate everyone's advice :)
 
Under the bedding, at the hottest point in the center of the UTH. Odds are your corn will burrow, especially if it's new to aspen bedding. Both the thermometer and thermostat probes should go there, mounted down with a suction cup or glue. No tape.

Another option for the thermostat probe would be mounted to the actual UTH on the bottom of the tub. But the thermometer definitely inside the viv under the substrate.
 
midnightgallop said:
One more question...how many airholes are enough airholes? I only put them in the sides of the container towards the top, not the cover. I didn't want the snake to rub against them on the bottom becuase i had to melt/drill them in and they are kinda rough. Is this good enough?
Click to expand...

Yup. Here is how I did mine:

solderholes.jpg
 
Flagg said:
Both the thermometer and thermostat probes should go there, mounted down with a suction cup or glue. No tape.
Click to expand...
Would aquarium-grade silicone work, too? I'm curious because I have a tube of it, and it seems like it would be a viable option if both plastic (suction cups) and glue are okay.
 
Ok...so the probes say it's at 85....but the bin itself is cold and neither of the hatchlings are digging down and they themselves are a bit cold...will they dig instinctually? I mean, this is the first day using aspen...but will they dig down to where it's warm at all? Otherwise, I am switching back to newspaper/paper towel and fake plants.
 
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