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Ultratherm

Jace91

Jace91

New member
I was just wondering if anyone used any sort of insulating Styrofoam under their Ultratherm? The instructions that came with mine recommend a sheet at least 6mm thick, it also says I shouldn't use more than 1 cm of substrate!
 
I haven't used styrofoam. And I suppose that makes sense if you are trying to heat the air, but the snake can burrow down to it, so the deeper substrate is fine. I'm using two in big custom cages,for snakes, and one which is on a wall, not covered with anything, for a lizard.
 
I am using the Ultratherm heater. I mean to, but haven't yet, put insulation under it. (good intentions - but it's been 8 months so far...)
I followed the same directions and put a thin layer of aspen substrate on the hot side of the tank. My snake quickly pushes this aside as she's curled under the hide rock on the hot side. I think no matter how thick it was she'd do the same thing. I don't want a thick layer, so that heat doesn't build up. I regulate the Ultratherm with a rheostat that keeps the tank floor at 88 to 90F. Snake seems like she couldn't be happier. I was surprised how much I had to dial down the Ultratherm. I imagine you could get desert-reptile hot with no trouble.
When I do add foam underneath, I imagine that I'll have to re-modulate the rheostat.
Best of luck!
 
Oh, I guess I should further explain that I have the tank on a frame stand - so the bottom is open. This is different than installations in which the tank sits on top of a table or counter. I suppose this changes the heat retention under the tank.
I do love the Ultratherm performance!
 
The reason you want a thick layer is for the snake to burrow, if she wants, and it soaks up the poo better.
 
Good points. I was concerned with heat build up in my case. I think no matter how thick the bedding, she'd clear the area under the hide anyway and end up on the glass all the same.
 
I use the thin Styrofoam trays that mice are packed in under mine.
Shaggy said:
Good points. I was concerned with heat build up in my case. I think no matter how thick the bedding, she'd clear the area under the hide anyway and end up on the glass all the same.
Click to expand...

Healthy corn snakes won't burn themselves on hot glass.
 
The concern with heat build up was due to the manufacturer's recommendation to place only a thin substrate over the heater. The glass surface isn't over 90F, so, I'm sure the snake will be fine. I worded the two ideas together, sorry for the confusion.
Good idea to use the grocery style foam tray. I keep putting it off until I do some kind of home improvement using rigid foam and I could use a scrap, but that day doesn't seem to come.
 
I am aware I'm necromancing my own thread but I just wanted to double check is this a yes to Styrofoam? My tank is on top of a dresser so minimal airflow, I do have it on a thermostat. The purpose of the Styrofoam is to help direct heat up yes?

Thanks
 
A lot of people use "feet" on the corners of their tanks, I read last night someone glued 4 lids from 2-liter soda bottles on the corners and that gave it probably an inch of height. Small pieces of wood, books, lots of different things to raise your viv to get the airflow underneath. All of my vivs hang off the end of the table they are on by an inch or so to get airflow.
 
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