So My UTH Fried... Have a Question About New Ones...

[Tree]

I have a 25g long reptile tank with one of the Zoo-Med UTH's made for 30-40 gallon tanks. It doesn't take up much space at all when put into the corner.

I use a temperature probe and only used this UTH for around 4 days total. I noticed it was running a bit hot, around 98 degrees. I've been meaning to replace it but my local pet store doesn't get smaller ones in til Wednesday. Lucky(?) for me my power flickered and something went wonky with the heater, making the temperature shoot up to 110. I immediately turned it off and have an infrared heat lamp sitting on the hot side of the tank until I can get a replacement.

My question is this; Zoo-Med's 10-20gal 6x8 heat pads seem so... small, compared to the floor space on my tank. I understand that it's recommended you only use 1/3 of the tank for heat. But these things are just tiny. They take up about 1/8th of the tank, and my Leo's tupperware I use for a moist hide takes up 6" of floor space on the warm side, too.

I was thinking that a single 6x8 heater won't cut it. Is it possible to use two 6x8 pads side by side? Or will this increase the temperature to unwanted levels again? I've used the 6x8 ones in the past and they hover at exactly 90-92 degrees, which is perfect. I just need to cover a little bit more space with them. Do any of you have experience with using two UTH's side by side?

Thanks!

 

[acpart]

I have not used them side by side, but don't think it would be a problem, since I think you'd just spread the same amount of heat over a larger area. You could try the UTH meant for 50-60 gallons. Whatever you do, it doesn't sound as if you're using a rheostat or a thermostat. These are essential to regulate the heat to keep it from getting too high. There are other posts about rheostats and thermostats, including one that I made about an hour ago.

Aliza

 

[GatorGirl286]

hey there. i have my new gecko in a ~20gallon quarantine bin and the only UTH i found that is usable on plastic is the zoo med 6x8 one you are talking about. this wasnt big enough for my setup either so i bought two of them and placed them side by side with about 1 - 2 inches between them just to be safe and its working out wonderfully.

hope that helps.

 

[bitterbeauty]

Zoo Med UTH usually go up to around 110 without a rheostat or thermostat. I use them with rheostats. I doubt anything is wrong with it. They just get really hot.

 

[Kotone]

I agree; I have a Zoo Med UTH as well, the same size you're talking about(10-20g) and without a Rheostat it got up to around 105*. I think it's normal for them, without a Rheostat/Thermostat. Silly pet industry, always making us spend more money...