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Uth

J

jks1984

New member
Now this is going to be the last i talk about UTH for awhile as it is frying my brain thinking about it.

Here is my dilemma.

This is my tank http://www.livefoods.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=580

As you can see it's a wooden base so i can't put the UTH outisde and would have to put it inside.

I am using a thermostat and was thinking of maybe putting some lino flooring on top of the heat mat but a m8 from this forum said it might make the mat overheat so you might need to put some holes in the lino so it don't overheat.

But after reading this site which is what my heat mats are and speaking to my m8 from this forum i am starting to think do i actually need to put some florring on top of it or will it be ok to just cover the heating mat with aspen.

http://www.eurorep.net/habistat/mats.htm

So what do you all think do i need to put something over the heat mat or can i just put aspen over the top of it?

I only want the best for my snake and defo do not want to burn or hurt him.

Many thanks
 
That one looks like it's just a piece of flexwatt, meaning 'standard' UTH and would be best to have outside the tank. The one I linked is specifically water sealed and insulated for use inside the tank. Would be a better solution to your problem. Wouldn't want the other one to cause an issue down the road!

D80
 
You could construct a false floor inside the viv to protect the UTH from the Corn (and vice versa)?

Some folks build small wooden platforms a couple of millimeters high, that sit over the mat and prevent the snakes (and poop) coming into contact with the surface of the mat or the junction where the cable joins the mat. Place the sensor of the stat on top of the platform, and you're sorted.

I use my UTHs outside my wooden vivs, underneath the. The viv is raised off the mat using a couple of layers of cork floor tiles. It's important to let air circulate over the top of the mat and also that the weight of the viv isn't resting on it. The stat sensor goes inside the viv, on the patch of floor immediately above the mat. Some people have trouble getting the temps up with this arrangment, but I've never had a problem. I'm using Habistat UTHs and stats.
 
Thanks for the advice bitsy but the one D80 has posted looks perfect for inside the viv and will not burn the snake either.

So i can put that sraight in and just put aspen over the tp of it.
 
bitsy said:
Some folks build small wooden platforms a couple of millimeters high, that sit over the mat and prevent the snakes (and poop) coming into contact with the surface of the mat or the junction where the cable joins the mat. Place the sensor of the stat on top of the platform, and you're sorted.
Click to expand...
That would definitely work to provide heat, but would in no way protect when (not if) the snake dumps the water bowl and the water short circuits the connection on the heat pad, sparks fly and starts the dry aspen dust on the other side on fire . . . on the slim chance anyway. :) I'm a freak about house or building fires . . . scare me to death and I don't know why! But I absolutely love campfires. :shrugs:

Glad I could be of help jk, I hope it works out for you.

D80
 
I have the orignal mat that jks posted and it is sealed against moisture. I think the photo is just a bit naff. Of course, you can't submerge it, but you can wipe it clean with a damp cloth.
 
Sorry, I should have added to my previous post: it isn't insulated, as you quite rightly say Drizz. I'm using mine with a thermostat so is the insulation isn't necessary?
 
The real question is whether the connection between the wires and the heat pad are waterproofed. If it's anything like the UTH's I use, most likely not. They have a plastic cover over them, but I doubt they would hold out water as they don't specifically say they are waterproof. I personally would not take the chance. Sure they are able to be wiped off . . . safely . . . but what about that one time when your snake tips over a water dish inside the cage? :shrugs: I guess you could test it and put one underwater and plug it in . . . I'm not going to though! :sidestep:

D80
 
Drizzt80 said:
Sure they are able to be wiped off . . . safely . . . but what about that one time when your snake tips over a water dish inside the cage? :shrugs: I guess you could test it and put one underwater and plug it in . . . I'm not going to though! :sidestep:D80
Click to expand...
:laugh01: I don't blame you. I don't think I will either. My corn has a super heavy weight dog bowl for her water so it is unlikely, although not impossible that she will tip it over. Right now she's not even 50g so it's highly unlikely.

I'll mull it over for now. Maybe before she gets to be a heavy weight I'll seal in some perspex to protect the wires and her.

Thanks for the food for thought D80!:)
 
but would in no way protect when (not if) the snake dumps the water bowl and the water short circuits the connection on the heat pad, sparks fly and starts the dry aspen dust on the other side on fire . . .
Click to expand...

To be honest, if you're using a wooden viv, that's a risk whether the UTH is inside or outside. A full water bowl tipped over, would soak through wood or seep through the joints of both wood or the standard melamine constructions in minutes. Water could still reach a UTH outside and underneath if enough of it was spilled. If it hapened just after you left for work, even a small spill would have hours unnoticed, to soak/seep through.

The trick is to have undumpable water bowls. The large, ceramic dog bowls are my choice as well. Never seen one of those overturned, even in the most frenzied of mating rituals!
 
Right i bought this one in the end http://www.livefoods.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=837

It come today so now i have my uth,digital thermometer/humidty,thermostat and my new viv and i am ready to set it up.

My question is this i have a wooden tank so do i put it inside or do i keep it outside.I see you put yours outside bitsy does it really keep the tank warm.

Help appreciated all as i really want to set it up tonight.

Also would you monitor the temps and everything for a few days first or would it be fine to put Irwin in his new home tonight.
 
The purpose for getting the waterproof and insulated one would be so you can put it inside your tank. I don't think from the outside of a wooden tank that it would be as efficient to keep a good high (80-85) degree temperature.

D80
 
Thanks again D80 and could i set it up tonight and get the twmps inline and then put my Snake in it or would you leave it a day to make sure it's all stable.

I have a thermostat so it should be ok but i just wanted to see your opinion.

Many thanks :)
 
Since you're using a thermostat, set it up and turn it on. About an hour or so later, check the temps and make any minor adjustments and then go ahead and put the snake in. You shouldn't have to wait much longer than that. Check temps regularily for a few days (high/low memory digital thermometers are great for this!!) just to make sure. Since you will have the heater set up on one end of the tank, even if it gets a bit too high there will still be a temperature gradient for the snake to move through.

Glad I could be of help!
D80
 
Thanks for the advice you 2 and yeah i will get all the temps working fine for a few hours and then put him in :)

Get ready for pics in the gallery late tonight or tomorrow :grin01:
 
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