Does anyone use heat pads?

[jaredm3624]

I was just wondering if anyone used heat pads under the tank to help keep their leos warm during the night hours. I just got one because I thought it was getting to cold in theirhome at night. I put it under the tank but it doesn't seem to be working that well to me. I could be wrong. Should I put the pad in the tank under the carpet substrate?

 

[leolover2]

Everyone here just about uses them. Leos need belly heat for digestion. If your using lights then ditch them, there not needed. As for the temp, get a digital thermometer, not a gauge cause there crap. Also do NOT put the UTH IN the tank.

 

[rhino43grr]

it sticks to the bottom outside of the tank, they're the preferred method for heating and they won't show much of a change on a gauge that measures the air temp. ground temp is the important thing to measure and you should have either a digital thermometer with a probe or an infrared heat gun to measure it as well as a thermostat to regulate the temp from going too hot.

 

[AllGeckos]

++ uth is a necessity especially for gravid females (but all leos anyways)

 

[jaredm3624]

So I'm doing it right then. I use a heat lap during the day, and the heat pad under the tank at night. I was just worried that maybe the heat wasn't getting past the carpet in the tank. I already have a digital thermometer on the hot side of the tank. I just wanted to make sure I'm providing what they need.

 

[rhino43grr]

no, you use the heat pad all the time, not just at night.
the lamp isn't needed unless the ground temp is too low with the pad on.

 

[jaredm3624]

no, you use the heat pad all the time, not just at night.
the lamp isn't needed unless the ground temp is too low with the pad on.

Oh...ok.

 

[thekooliest]

hey guys...talking about UTH...will they damage a wood surface?...like if I put it on a desk...and then my tank on that...will my wood get burned or damaged?...if so what should I put to protect it?

 

[brsisko]

I havent had a problem ever. I had it on a book shelf once and once on a desk and no damage either time.

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

You should always have the UTH on, and reading around 90 degrees righ on the floor surface where the gecko's tummy is. You do not need any other overhead heat source unless your UTH isn't providing the proper temps.

As far as it damaging your wood furniture, you should always have air circulation under your tank. Many of the UTH's come with 4 plastic adhesive 'bumpers' for each corner of your tank to keep it off any direct contact with furniture surfaces. If you don't have them, you can pick them up at just about any hardware store.

 

[Arctic16]

I adopted a member's gecko today on short notice and I found myself wondering what to use since I didn't have any bumpers. I ended up using beer bottle caps taped onto the corners!

 

[blackbat67]

i don't have a gecko yet, but will be soon

for my hermit crab tank i have a UTH and the tank is on a wooden bookcase; the tank came with little bumper things; there is about a 1cm gap between the UTH and the wood and i've had no problems what so ever

 

[goReptiles]

hey guys...talking about UTH...will they damage a wood surface?...like if I put it on a desk...and then my tank on that...will my wood get burned or damaged?...if so what should I put to protect it?

Possible. I have burn stains on my dresser from a UTH, and that was with having the UTH propped on an old towel and the tank was vented from the dresser about 1/4" in additon to the towel. The towel disintigrated when my mom tried to wash it. On my tanks with UTH's now, I have slate tiles propping up the UTH in addition to propping up the edges of the tank.

 

[Euphoric]

So I have a question, do I leave my under tank heater on all day?
The only thing is my large female loves to bask under a red bulb..her last owner did it and I use it too.
Is it still bad?

 

[jaredm3624]

So I have a question, do I leave my under tank heater on all day?
The only thing is my large female loves to bask under a red bulb..her last owner did it and I use it too.
Is it still bad?

I'm not an expert (which is why I started the tread), but I would guss that it would be ok to use both he heating pad and bulb as long as it didn't become too hot in the tank.

 

[brad.a.c]

So I have a question, do I leave my under tank heater on all day?
The only thing is my large female loves to bask under a red bulb..her last owner did it and I use it too.
Is it still bad?

Leave the UTH on 24/7. And what I've been told it's fine to have a UTH and a heat lamp as lond as the temps don't get too high. But if you had to pick one over the other, pick the UTH.

 

[Euphoric]

Ok great! I would hate to take it away from her!

 

[jaredm3624]

ever since I've started using the uth, I've noticed my leos out more and on the side where the uth is with their bellys to the floor. I'm glad to have everyone who knows a lot more than me here in one place where us starters can ask questions.