Slate and under tank heat...advice on this would be great. :)

[coker101]

Ok so I got a new 20gal. long tank and plan on picking up a new leo next weekend at the local herp show.

So today I cut some slate for the new enclosure and I plan on using an undertank heat pad. My question is, do I put the heat pad under the glass and will the heat make it through both the glass and slate?

Also slate for the most part is not real flat on bottom so should I use maybe a thin layer of sand or something like that?

Any advice would be awesome.

Thanks.

 

[GeckoCrossing]

The heat pad is attached under the glass on the outside. And the heat will make it through the slate and glass just fine. I haven't used sand under my tile or slate so I can't give any advice on that... but I imagine it would do the same job as grouting the slate in, like I do.

 

[jski711]

I use slate without any sand underneath and it works well. No problems getting a good hot spot.

 

[Geckoguy77]

I have 3/4 thick limestone in my tanks and they heat up just fine. They never get too hot, and hold the temp really well with little fluctuation I'd guess they have a nice temp gradation since I see my geckos sleeping in different spots all day long, not just in the warm, cool, or moist hides.

Will

 

[coker101]

Ok, after leting the sand and slate heat up over night I checked it this morning.

I took the temps with a zoomed point and click kinda gage a couple inches over the slate and it is reading around 90-92 and the cool side at about 73.

What do you guys think?

I was thinking about taking a little sand out to warm it up just a little more but I don't know.

 

[jski711]

That's should be fine. Also don't forget that those temp gauges have a pretty big variation in accuracy.

 

[coker101]

That's should be fine. Also don't forget that those temp gauges have a pretty big variation in accuracy.

I did take out a little sand. Temps are from 91-95 on the warm side now.

 

[GeckoDude31]

Those temps look good.