Dog Shrink
Lost in the Lizard World
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- 2,799
- Location
- NW PA.
Tile density is what is going to determine what the heat distribution is like. I use to install carpet and tile. Cermaic and porcelain tiles don't hold heat as well as marble or slate tiles will because they are much too porous altho highly durable. Natural stone tiles hold heat better but they will also dissipate the heat thru the entire tile surface rather than just make a warm "spot". So if you have a 12x12 marble or slate tile the whole tile will get warm whereas with the vinyl simulated slate tiles (like what I have in my tank) the thermodynamics of vinyl is, well plastic, and plastic is not a good conductor of heat so you will get spots of heat insted of heat evenly distributed thru the entire vinyl tile surface.
As far as trying to increase your UTH temps with out increaseing the size of your mat amy further you'd need a higher wattage mat. For example cobra heat mats. There is the cobra brand thru T-Rex then there is the cobra heat mat thru the original manufacturer ultratherm. Biggest difference is this...
Cobra T-Rex heat mat
For the 6x11 size it is only a 7 watt out put mat.
Cobra Heat Mats
Europe's #1 heat mat for more than a decade is now available from T-Rex Products. Cobra Heat Mats are made from incredibly reliable, accurate copper elements that provide uniform even heat distribution. Designed to be used in or out of terrariums, these mats operate at a constant 100 degrees fahrenheit.
T-Rex Cobra Heat Mats are available in 5 different sizes.
Mini Vivarium 3 Watts 4 x 5 inch
10-20 gl. 7 Watts 6 x 11 inch
30-40 gl. 12 Watts 11 x 11 inch
50-60 gl. 20 Watts 11 x 17 inch
Over 60 gl. 28 Watts 11 x 29 inch
For the ultratherm cobra heat mat:
http://www.amazon.com/TREX-COBRA-HEAT-MAT-30-40/dp/B0002AQTBW
You will see that for the same size mat it is a 12 watt mat insted of 7 watt for the 6x11. Higher wattage means higher heat output. Altho the amazon listing does say T-Rex it is inaccurate because only the ultratherm comes in a black box. The T-Rex with the lower wattage comes in the flaming box.
Sooooo use the link I provided to the amazon site and order the ultratherm cobra heat mat with the higher wattage. I'd even feel comfortable going up to the 11x11 size as that would only take up about a little less than a third of your 20 long tank. I'm also considering upgrading to that size as well myself. If you go with the 20 watt you would likely need a thermostat to regulate temps as this one COULD get too hot.
Lastly cermic heat emitters are pretty much like Eric said. They will increase the ambient temps in your tank moreso than make a hot spot like an infrared or moonlight blue bulb. Altho the spot under the emitter will be warmer than the spot next to the emitter. They're basically a ceramic heat coil. We use a 150 watt in my son's ball python's 90 gallon tank on his hot side.
REPTICARE® CERAMIC HEAT EMITTERS
What are they?
A porcelain heating device that screws into a standard porcelain incandescent socket
What do they do?Heat emitters give off intense infrared heat, penetrating into the animals muscles, but emit no light! The perfect 24 hour heat source for all tropical and desert reptiles.
Why is the Zoo Med emitter best?Our flat faced design (standard in the ceramic heat industry) is more efficient than conical designs in that it leaves less heat inside the emitter which will ultimately carbonize the element.
1.Our emitters last up to 5 years, which is twice as long as the competition! They keep on going, and going and going...
2.Water resistant! Perfect for high humidity terrariums!
3.Great heat source for a Zoo Med IguanArium and other wire or screen type enclosures.
4.Great for use with our Repti Temp Thermostat or a Rheostats!
5.The ONLY UL/CUL listed Ceramic Heat Emitter!
Ceramic Heat Emitters Helpful Hints
1.For safety reasons, use Emitters in our Repti Clamp Lamp, Brooder Lamp or Slider Hood.
2.Animals should never be allowed to come in direct contact with the Emitter! Do not place directly inside of enclosure.
3.Be sure to monitor temperatures and humidity levels in terrariums. Zoo Med's Precision Analog Thermometer/ Humidity Gauge is perfect for this.
Ok... hopefully that clears up all your heating options as far as alternative sources and how to help boost your temps with out the use of added lighting. Also with the cobra heat mats they do NOT self stick and mine didn't include little feet. I used a piece of plastic styrofoam board to sandwich it between the foam and the tank so I didn't lose any heat out the bottom of the tank. I also used 2 more pieces of the same plastic styrofoam board and I glued it to the sides of my tank so that there was some insulating factor there as well rather than just bare glass. Makes Eros feel a little more secure and helps keep the temps better. You're not losing any heat transferrance thru the glass, keeps the cold outside and warm inside. It's insulated
and doesn't look horrid. You can also use the insulated foam boards that they wrap your house in before doing vinyl siding I believe its called thermatek (don't quote me there. I usually just call it insul-board) on the sides of the tank as well to provide a barrier. Wrap it in pretty contact paper and voila... function and pretty
Hope this helps
As far as trying to increase your UTH temps with out increaseing the size of your mat amy further you'd need a higher wattage mat. For example cobra heat mats. There is the cobra brand thru T-Rex then there is the cobra heat mat thru the original manufacturer ultratherm. Biggest difference is this...
Cobra T-Rex heat mat
For the 6x11 size it is only a 7 watt out put mat.
Cobra Heat Mats
Europe's #1 heat mat for more than a decade is now available from T-Rex Products. Cobra Heat Mats are made from incredibly reliable, accurate copper elements that provide uniform even heat distribution. Designed to be used in or out of terrariums, these mats operate at a constant 100 degrees fahrenheit.
T-Rex Cobra Heat Mats are available in 5 different sizes.
Mini Vivarium 3 Watts 4 x 5 inch
10-20 gl. 7 Watts 6 x 11 inch
30-40 gl. 12 Watts 11 x 11 inch
50-60 gl. 20 Watts 11 x 17 inch
Over 60 gl. 28 Watts 11 x 29 inch
For the ultratherm cobra heat mat:
http://www.amazon.com/TREX-COBRA-HEAT-MAT-30-40/dp/B0002AQTBW
You will see that for the same size mat it is a 12 watt mat insted of 7 watt for the 6x11. Higher wattage means higher heat output. Altho the amazon listing does say T-Rex it is inaccurate because only the ultratherm comes in a black box. The T-Rex with the lower wattage comes in the flaming box.
Sooooo use the link I provided to the amazon site and order the ultratherm cobra heat mat with the higher wattage. I'd even feel comfortable going up to the 11x11 size as that would only take up about a little less than a third of your 20 long tank. I'm also considering upgrading to that size as well myself. If you go with the 20 watt you would likely need a thermostat to regulate temps as this one COULD get too hot.
Lastly cermic heat emitters are pretty much like Eric said. They will increase the ambient temps in your tank moreso than make a hot spot like an infrared or moonlight blue bulb. Altho the spot under the emitter will be warmer than the spot next to the emitter. They're basically a ceramic heat coil. We use a 150 watt in my son's ball python's 90 gallon tank on his hot side.
REPTICARE® CERAMIC HEAT EMITTERS
What are they?
A porcelain heating device that screws into a standard porcelain incandescent socket
What do they do?Heat emitters give off intense infrared heat, penetrating into the animals muscles, but emit no light! The perfect 24 hour heat source for all tropical and desert reptiles.
Why is the Zoo Med emitter best?Our flat faced design (standard in the ceramic heat industry) is more efficient than conical designs in that it leaves less heat inside the emitter which will ultimately carbonize the element.
1.Our emitters last up to 5 years, which is twice as long as the competition! They keep on going, and going and going...
2.Water resistant! Perfect for high humidity terrariums!
3.Great heat source for a Zoo Med IguanArium and other wire or screen type enclosures.
4.Great for use with our Repti Temp Thermostat or a Rheostats!
5.The ONLY UL/CUL listed Ceramic Heat Emitter!
Ceramic Heat Emitters Helpful Hints
1.For safety reasons, use Emitters in our Repti Clamp Lamp, Brooder Lamp or Slider Hood.
2.Animals should never be allowed to come in direct contact with the Emitter! Do not place directly inside of enclosure.
3.Be sure to monitor temperatures and humidity levels in terrariums. Zoo Med's Precision Analog Thermometer/ Humidity Gauge is perfect for this.
Ok... hopefully that clears up all your heating options as far as alternative sources and how to help boost your temps with out the use of added lighting. Also with the cobra heat mats they do NOT self stick and mine didn't include little feet. I used a piece of plastic styrofoam board to sandwich it between the foam and the tank so I didn't lose any heat out the bottom of the tank. I also used 2 more pieces of the same plastic styrofoam board and I glued it to the sides of my tank so that there was some insulating factor there as well rather than just bare glass. Makes Eros feel a little more secure and helps keep the temps better. You're not losing any heat transferrance thru the glass, keeps the cold outside and warm inside. It's insulated
and doesn't look horrid. You can also use the insulated foam boards that they wrap your house in before doing vinyl siding I believe its called thermatek (don't quote me there. I usually just call it insul-board) on the sides of the tank as well to provide a barrier. Wrap it in pretty contact paper and voila... function and pretty Hope this helps
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