Question regarding 20gal, heat mat and vinyl tile.

C

coker101

New Member
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81
Location
USA
I'm looking at getting a 20gal. tank and using a heat mat and vinyl tiles.

What I'm wanting to know is how well the heat will transfer through the bottom of the tank and then through the tile.

I don't want to buy everything, do all the work and then find out it's not going to get enough heat or even too much heat.

Opinions from you guys who use this setup please. :)

Thanks. :)
 
Pinned27

Pinned27

New Member
Messages
102
a lot of people say they get good heat transfer through the tiles. but im sure during the winter times it harder to heat up.
and a thermostat is really helpful in controlling the right temp.
 
R

RedBlaze

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33
Location
Indiana
It should transfer heat just fine. Any type of stone tile also transfers fine, I find they seem to hold heat better as well. If it gets too hot with vinyl you can always buy a dimmer to regulate the output of the heat mat.

As for fumes vinyl should be fine as long as you aren't getting the ones with adhesive on the back.
 
C

coker101

New Member
Messages
81
Location
USA
RedBlaze said:
It should transfer heat just fine. Any type of stone tile also transfers fine, I find they seem to hold heat better as well. If it gets too hot with vinyl you can always buy a dimmer to regulate the output of the heat mat.

As for fumes vinyl should be fine as long as you aren't getting the ones with adhesive on the back.
Click to expand...

I'm going to show you a quote from another board. It sounds like to be they are talking about the adhesive....

http://www.leopardgeckoforum.com/t166-proper-housing-for-leopard-geckos

install-stick-vinyl-floor-squares-200X200.jpg


"Vinyl Floor Tiles (the self adhesive kind):

This is what I use in my viv. They stick directly to the floor so NOTHING can get under them, they butt together beautifully, they can be cut to fit any tank design by the person using them, and they come in MANY different colors, textures, and styles. They heat well because they are thin and of a man made substance so they do not have the tendancies that slate and procelain/ceramic do. They make a nice hot "spot" perfect for your leo's hot side of his tank. The key to getting a good tile is to make sure it is a HIGH end tile, one that will crack as you bend it rather than one that flexes and bows when you bend it. The reason for this is the high end tiles do NOT put off any off-gasses that could affect your leo. The glue doesn't melt until you're heating it over 120*F. Here is a photo of my viv complete with vinyl simulated slate tiles (This was in the under construction phase)".

Opinions please.
 
Last edited:
leezard

leezard

New Member
Messages
167
Location
Battle Ground, Wa
The glue may not melt until 120 + but it sure creates some dangerous fumes before then. I do believe there is a person on this board that used them and the leo died because of the fumes.
 
leezard

leezard

New Member
Messages
167
Location
Battle Ground, Wa
I use either ceramic tiles or slate, I have only had some minor heat issues with slate becasue of how it can be uneven and not contact the glass enough to transfer heat well.

You can either use more even pieces above the heat pad or use some sand underneath to fill the gaps it is very unlikely the sand is going to get out from under the tile there is just not enough movement to make the sand move.

If you go with ceramic they normally are very even and have no problem with contact but even then if you want you can use sand under them.
 
Foxy

Foxy

New Member
Messages
138
Location
salisbury UK
coker101 said:
I'm going to show you a quote from another board. It sounds like to be they are talking about the adhesive....

http://www.leopardgeckoforum.com/t166-proper-housing-for-leopard-geckos

install-stick-vinyl-floor-squares-200X200.jpg


"Vinyl Floor Tiles (the self adhesive kind):

This is what I use in my viv. They stick directly to the floor so NOTHING can get under them, they butt together beautifully, they can be cut to fit any tank design by the person using them, and they come in MANY different colors, textures, and styles. They heat well because they are thin and of a man made substance so they do not have the tendancies that slate and procelain/ceramic do. They make a nice hot "spot" perfect for your leo's hot side of his tank. The key to getting a good tile is to make sure it is a HIGH end tile, one that will crack as you bend it rather than one that flexes and bows when you bend it. The reason for this is the high end tiles do NOT put off any off-gasses that could affect your leo. The glue doesn't melt until you're heating it over 120*F. Here is a photo of my viv complete with vinyl simulated slate tiles (This was in the under construction phase)".

Opinions please.
Click to expand...

My girl got realy sick from using these.
 
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