"Best" UTH?

[GeckoGoon]

I'm having a really hard time finding a good UTH.
I'm trying to heat two 16qt tubs.
Zoomed, Ultratherm, Flukers, Or Flexwatt?
I need an answer quick! Please help.

 

[GeckoGoon]

I was thinking of buying one of these for each of the 16qt tubs
http://lllreptile.com/store/catalog...-rocks/-/zoo-med-mini-reptitherm-heating-pad/

Good?

 

[Tony C]

Since you are heating multiple bins I would use a non-adhesive type like an Ultratherm or flexwatt tape. In my experience adhesive heat pads do not stick well to plastic bins, and if you do get it to stick it will be a pain having the two bins tied together.

 

[gitrdone0420]

I have mostly exoterra. I Love their heat pads!
As for comparison, I also have a zoomed and it heats at a wayyy too hot temperature. It is very hard for me to regulate without a thermostat. But my exoterra's are so awesome that I have yet to use a thermostat for them.

 

[GeckoGoon]

What I was going to do was place the UTH under a piece of tile.
Do the Zoo-med UTH's stick on by themselves or can you just place them under without them sticking?

 

[gitrdone0420]

Oh, and Tony brings up a very good point by the way.
I was just commenting on the quality of the heat pads, not what your doing with them, lol.

 

[gitrdone0420]

They have a sticky adhesive glue type stuff on the bottom. You will have to peel off this piece of paper and it will be ready to stick.

 

[GeckoGoon]

Blegh.
I dont want it to stick. LOL

All of the Ultratherm UTH's seem too large for a 16qt tub, maybe I'm just not looking hard enough.

 

[Tony C]

How wide is the shelf you are keeping them on? The Bean Farm has ultratherm heat pads in 6" x 23", 6" x 35", and 6" x 48", one of those would be perfect depending on the shelf being used.

 

[GeckoGoon]

This is the shelf I'm using
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=4433074

Each shelf is about 15'' wide and 3' long I think.

 

[Tony C]

What are the dimensions of the 16 qt tubs?

 

[GeckoGoon]

16 5/8"L x 11 3/4"W x 7"H

 

[Tony C]

I would go with the 6" x 35", you should be able to put three bins on each level.

 

[GeckoGoon]

Thanks, That's what I was thinking.

Do Ultratherms require thermostats?
Some websites say they do not.
And also with the ultratherms should I have some over them or can I place the tubs directly over it?

 

[Tony C]

You should be fine placing the tubs directly over the pad. Whether you need a thermostat or not depends on the conditions in the room, I would say you probably don't, but the best way to find out is to test it. Set it up, let it run for a few hours and check your temps, if they are acceptable then add geckos.

 

[GeckoGoon]

Alright cool.
Thanks again for all the help.

My room is about 77-78F as I run a space heater w/ built in thermostat all day and night.
When I don't run it the room is about 65F.
But I'll set it up with the tubs and and monitor the temps in the tubs with my temp gun.

 

[Tony C]

No problem, glad I could help.

 

[temec]

just to let you know.. with that heat pad you linked you dont have to use the stick thats on it.. you ca just set it on it.. that way you can use it later on.. on a diff tub.. and i recommend flexawatt

 

[Saphira]

I mostly like the zoomed ones...however..I have had to buy thermostats to get them to stay regulated which is really frustrating to me.