Substrate Inquiry

[invaderzimgir]

I finally got the temperatures on my floor to where they need to be (thanks to a digital thermometer), however, it took 8 papertowels to do so. I'm just using a UTH, the 10-20 gal in a 10 gallon tank. What other substrates do you recommend that arent such a pain in the ass to get the right temps with? How do people get just the right temps when using walnut shell, sand, tile, repti carpet (add more layers?), or slate? Any help or suggestions are appreciated.

 

[stager]

I bought a light dimmer from home depo and played aroun to I got the right temp. then marked it. But I use tile with the uth inside tank under tile and it will get real hot if you don't dim it.

 

[invaderzimgir]

alright, thanks. so if i wanted to use just a UTH on the outside of the glass on the bottom of the tank, what would be the best substrate to take the heat?

 

[satyr666]

Slate tile is your best option but like stager said a dimmer switch is necessary to regulate the heat. You can pick one up at home depot or lowes for $10.

 

[invaderzimgir]

a dimmer switch for the heat pad?

 

[Pinky81]

if you look at a Rheostat and a simple Lamp Dimmer switch they are basically the same thing a unit that controls the amount of electricity to a appliance but use of a round dimmer. I never had much luck with the rheo's as they can be a guessing game for those of us who live in states where there are drastic temp swings...most concerning to me was summer when in the morning my temps were fine but as the apartment heated up the temps would be WAY too high. If you want spot on temps that you set your best bet is to get a thermostat. This type will have a thermometer probe that you put on your hot spot and you choose the temperature and it will regulate it off the thermometer.

I have had nothing but issues with the ALife but recently got a Zilla 500watt and it is working great!!! And if the only thing you need to control is your UTH you need not buy anything that controls higher then the 500watt.

http://lllreptile.com/store/catalog...mers/-/zilla-500-watt-temperature-controller/

 

[satyr666]

Yes for the UTH without a dimmer or thermostat to regulate the temps they can become way too hot and burn or dehydrate your gecko.