The UTH Guide... poor mans thermostat/rheostat

[Neumann]

I guess I'm the hints and tips guy this week.

This is a tip that someone gave to me a while back and it works really well.

A method to prevent tank cracking, over heating, and generally promote more even heat (without hot spots) is to not stick your UTH directly on the tank. Instead, stick the UTH to a ceramic or porcelain tile and slide the tile under one end of the tank.

The benefits are:

a) Inexpensive- an 8x10 inch tile is about $1.50 (USD)
b) Prevents a tank from cracking
c) It’s movable- can be used on future tanks
d) Prevents hot spots by allowing airflow between the pad and the glass.
e) It’s easier to clean the cage (moving it etc.)
f) It’s the poor mans thermostat/rheostat. You can lower or raise the tank to increase or decrease heat. All you need are a couple different sized blocks of wood to prop up the tank.

Cheers,
Jason

 

[michaele]

Need Some Clarification...

I guess I'm the hints and tips guy this week.

Instead, stick the UTH to a ceramic or porcelain tile and slide the tile under one end of the tank.

The tile is on the bottom, then the UTH, with the tank on top (propped up if necessary), right? or is the UTH on the bottom of the tile?

Thanks

Michael

1.0 Okeetee (Abbott's) -- 4 months old

 

[Neumann]

The UTH is stuck to the top surface of the tile, you then you slide the tile under one end of the tank just the way it is- with the UTH on top of the tile.

 

[Snakemommy]

Boy I wish I would have known this 2 months ago! Mines already stuck on the bottom of the tank. I noticed warmer spots on mine so I put down a few layers of newspaper then topped it with aspen. So far he hasn't tried to tunnal under the paper.

 

[xelda]

I think the best solution is to still get a rheostat or thermostat, because you don't want the heater running full-blast even with the cushioning. Temperature regulation is important for the safety of the animal, but also for the furniture you're resting the cage on, as well as energy efficiency. A plug-in lamp dimmer is only $8ish at Walmart or Home Depot.

 

[Neumann]

I think the best solution is to still get a rheostat or thermostat

I agree (err, sort of). I've found that, even with a rheostat, heat mats can develop 'hot spots' when placed directly on the tank bottom. I use the tile for the convenience of it and to prevent hot spots on the cage floor by allowing airflow between the two. Also, the tile will help save your furniture by providing a thermal barrier between the mat and the furniture itself. That being said, I also use a rheostat and digital thermometer/hygrometer in my cages to regulate temps.