UTH questons

[dogsNdragons]

OK, it has been a loooong time since I used a UTH. I have a few questions.

First, I went to my local Herp shop to get one and they don't carry them. The owner stated that UTH will "cook" the animal from the inside out.:shrugs:
I thought that was the strangest comment. Any thoughts on this?? I know many people use UTH, had anyone had problems with the animal's health?

Second, I went to Petco and they only had Zoomed brand. I will be using either a 20L or 29 for my new Hogg Is Boa baby and was wondering which size to get. The 10-20 or 30-40??

 

[wade]

The owner stated that UTH will "cook" the animal from the inside out.

I think it is really important to know who to go to for advise when you need it. We all do. You have identified one person you never need to question again.

UTH are widely used and not a danger if used properly. You want to regulate it in some way with a thermostat.

I don't know about Zoo Med Brand or their sizes. Keep in mind that you Hogg isn't going to stay small. You may need a bigger tank. I'd try to get a UTH that could move up with the snake to the next size. If you keep a thermostat on it, you should be able to turn down the heat now and turn it up on the bigger container.

 

[alan]

Make sure you know the temp on top of the heater, under the substrate. You want to know the hottest spot in your viv.

Wow, can't believe they told you that. The only thing I know of that can heat something from the inside is microwave radiation. Did they sell ovens or any kind of radar units?

 

[Flagg]

Well, he was partially correct. A UTH CAN "cook" a snake if it is not regulated. Most sold here in the US will get to over 120 degrees if not regulated with a thermostat or rheostat/lamp dimmer.

I imagine the shop owner had another agenda in mind, like selling multiple day/night bulbs and then the replacements as they invariably burn out.

 

[dogsNdragons]

I think it is really important to know who to go to for advise when you need it. We all do. You have identified one person you never need to question again.

Thanks.
Now I know to just get feeders not advise form them

UTH are widely used and not a danger if used properly. You want to regulate it in some way with a thermostat.

I don't know about Zoo Med Brand or their sizes. Keep in mind that you Hogg isn't going to stay small. You may need a bigger tank. I'd try to get a UTH that could move up with the snake to the next size. If you keep a thermostat on it, you should be able to turn down the heat now and turn it up on the bigger container.

Yes, I had been doing searches on the forum for info.

What? You mean he won't stay that size forever?? :awcrap:
I have a 4' x 2' wood and glass viv that I got from a friend and am refurbishing for when he gets bigger. The 20L is just the nursery.

 

[dogsNdragons]

Make sure you know the temp on top of the heater, under the substrate. You want to know the hottest spot in your viv.

Wow, can't believe they told you that. The only thing I know of that can heat something from the inside is microwave radiation. Did they sell ovens or any kind of radar units?

The only thing I can think of is maybe she was speaking about the UTHs that emit infrared. Still it was weird.

 

[wade]

All of the cooking from the inside out stuff you hear is old wives bs. Radiant heat, Infrared, microwave, radar, all of them heat from the surface in.

 

[alan]

All of the cooking from the inside out stuff you hear is old wives bs. Radiant heat, Infrared, microwave, radar, all of them heat form the surface in.

Actually, Wade you are correct. Microwave radiation excites the water molecules on or near the surface, causing them to heat up. The heat conductivity of water carries it towards the center of the object. If there is more water in the center than there is near the surface it can act as a heat sink, but it still comes from the outside.
I guess by stating it the way I did I was perpetuating the old wives bs, I so hate misinformation!