New substrate issues

[LeeseyGeesey]

Hey guys, I recently changed my wood chip substrate to tile as suggested here on the forums. I am now worried that the tile is too hot thanks to my UTH (its a pad that sticks to the bottom of the glass of the tank). Although I have it on just one side of the tank, the tile that is directly on it is kinda hot to me. I am just worried because I read here not to buy a heat rock because it could burn the lizard. I know the heat pad has the tank glass and tile between the heat and the lizard but is it possible the tile can be too hot? Here are some pictures and maybe I can get some suggestions from them.

Here is how my tank was normally set up before I changed the substrate. The rocks on the right side were his heat cover before I changed it. But it seems that tile on the far right has become kinda hot.

Here is another angle of how I used to have my setup when it had wood chips. No More chips, just tile now.

Should I cover the hot floor with the rocks and then place his heat cover on top? Maybe the extra rocks would allow the heat to come but the gecko can't really touch the hot tile below (maybe his little toes).

Or should I put his heat cover just a tad on the corner of that hot tile so its warm but not overbearing? I still have the tile covered with extra rocks so that he won't get burned (if he will get burned).

So basically I am wondering if the tile can possibly too hot or am I just being too cautious and which setup should I go from hre. Thanks guys I really appreciate your advice!

 

[nater]

So basically I am wondering if the tile can possibly too hot

Most definitely. Look around for a thermostat or rheostat (preferably a thermostat).

 

[LeeseyGeesey]

If it gets too hot, how can I fix this problem since the heating pad does not have a temperature gage. It just goes to one heat I believe.

 

[martinez2828]

You can buy a thermostat. I got mine at a hardware store for around $12 and its works great.

 

[LeeseyGeesey]

Can you possibly post a picture of it so I see what it looks like? The ones I am looking up seem strange.

 

[nater]

Should be 2 cords coming off of it, one for power, and another for the probe... and somewhere to plug in your uth.

What are you finding? Link?

 

[Russellm0704]

Do you have a thermometer with a probe? You need one to measure the surface temp. As long as it is room temperature, the ambient air temp should not be an issue.

 

[kaws]

:main_thumbsdown: Its very unfortunate that you didn't do alittle more research before you got your setup, but good on ya for coming on here to ask to correct it.

There are 2 things that you should have gotten FOR SURE. You will need both a lamp dimmer AND a thermometer/hygrometer to gauge the temperature RIGHT on the tile. You NEVER mentioned exactly how "hot" it actually was (fahrenheit wise), so im guessing you don't have floor temps. Here is what you will need and they're VERY CHEAP...

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc...3&langId=-1&keyword=lamp+dimmer&storeId=10051

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Digital-LCD...1975?pt=US_Weather_Meters&hash=item4ab22ea7d7

 

[Russellm0704]

:main_thumbsdown: Its very unfortunate that you didn't do alittle more research before you got your setup, but good on ya for coming on here to ask to correct it.

There are 2 things that you should have gotten FOR SURE. You will need both a lamp dimmer AND a thermometer/hygrometer to gauge the temperature RIGHT on the tile. You NEVER mentioned exactly how "hot" it actually was (fahrenheit wise), so im guessing you don't have floor temps. Here is what you will need and they're VERY CHEAP...

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc...3&langId=-1&keyword=lamp+dimmer&storeId=10051

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Digital-LCD...1975?pt=US_Weather_Meters&hash=item4ab22ea7d7

Give the OP a break. They came on here looking for advice and they didn't sit there and just take the advice that they wanted to hear. If that was the case then I probably would of said the same thing. But no reason for negative comments towards someone who is doing everything to fix the problem.

 

[kaws]

:main_thumbsdown: Its very unfortunate that you didn't do alittle more research before you got your setup, but good on ya for coming on here to ask to correct it.

Give the OP a break. They came on here looking for advice and they didn't sit there and just take the advice that they wanted to hear. If that was the case then I probably would of said the same thing. But no reason for negative comments towards someone who is doing everything to fix the problem.

Try READING my WHOLE POST before you make a comment... TROLL !!! :main_lipsrsealed:

 

[Russellm0704]

I did read it. Just felt that the criticism was unnecessary when the problems were being fixed. No I am not a troll and I post on here regularly giving the best advice I can. If you have any further problems with me you can send me a PM.

 

[nater]

I did read it. Just felt that the criticism was unnecessary when the problems were being fixed. No I am not a troll and I post on here regularly giving the best advice I can. If you have any further problems with me you can send me a PM.

A scolding may prevent them from doing the same thing in the future. I don't really see anything wrong with what kaws said, it was fairly mild. Anyone who buys animals without researching their care requirements first should be subjected to some criticism.

 

[ElapidSVT]

there are better ways to instruct people in proper husbandry than berating them.

definitely *measure* the actual temperature before assuming it's too hot, though if you can't place your hand on the hot spot for a minute or more, it's probably too hot. temps from 90-100F are what you're looking for. if the pile of stones creates a hotspot of the proper temp, i'd just leave it that way. it looks kinda cool!

good luck!
rob

 

[Russellm0704]

A scolding may prevent them from doing the same thing in the future. I don't really see anything wrong with what kaws said, it was fairly mild. Anyone who buys animals without researching their care requirements first should be subjected to some criticism.

I understand what you are getting at. I just appreciate the people who are willing to fix their mistakes asap as I have seen a handful of people not fix the problems. Just don't want to discourage the OP.