substrate over UTH

[jason23]

I have been using paper towels for substrate because of the risk of impaction so many ppl talk about...

However, directly above the undertank heater it's way too hot...so i have been using rocks (about 1-1.5" thick) on a small towel with a warm hide on it..

It occured to me that the rocks may not be dispersing heat properly (i am getting decent temps around 90) but i'm not sure if this temp being held on the rock only is ideal...

I was considering trying a fine sand or calci sand (about 1.5" deep) just on the 1/3 of the tank above the undertank heater, but then covering it all with a layer of paper towels...and putting the hide cave over that..

What do you think? I'm thinking that would provide the ideal heat dispertion of sand while preventing impaction...any thoughts are appreciated very much

thanks,

jay

 

[LizMarie]

if its waaaay to hot you can just get a simple thermostat for $25-$30 and you won't have to waste your money on sand or worry about impaction. It is recommended that if you have a UTH to have something to control the heat because many UTH's have been known to go up to 105 sometimes even more. And just because you put a paper towel on top of sand doesn't mean they can't go under it or kick some over.

I personally don't like sand so i wouldn't recommend it in anyone. You can always try to use tile or repti carpet.

 

[Retribution Reptiles]

I'm a huge fan of reptile carpet and i have some rock hides that i put over the warm side of the tank due to the rocks don't get as hot but they retain heat very well and if my babies feel as if the carpet is too hot they will crawl on the rocks, i think that is the reason why alot of people use tile and slate

 

[Snowy & Petra de Gecko]

I agree with LizMarie and Hauseremt

Temps can go way above 105 in the summer time and tile/slate.

 

[Bennayboi]

A thermostat or rheostat is the best way to go. Theyre essential imo. As for ideas you could put slate tile over the uth, on top of the paper towels.

 

[Geck-O]

I have the same problem but my dad won't let me order a thermostat. So I put 'Tumbling Tower' blocks under my viv so that it is further away from the UTH.

 

[nats]

I have the same problem but my dad won't let me order a thermostat. So I put 'Tumbling Tower' blocks under my viv so that it is further away from the UTH.

Well, I guess that would lower the temp alright, problem is, when the room
temp drops, so will your terrarium.
So, if your room is 72F in the daytime, and your tank temp is 90F, you
could expect a drop in tank temp if the room drops to, say, 67F at night.

A thermostat will compensate for that. But if your room temps are always
about the same, no worries.

 

[Bennayboi]

Rheostats are dimmers that only cost ~$10. The catch is you have to adjust them every time the tempature in the room changes. Thermostats turn the UTH on and off to maintain a constant pre-set tempature. Theyre 40-60 dollars though.

 

[Geck-O]

Well, the temp doesn't really change throughout the day. At night, I use the AC so the temp is also pretty steady too

 

[Superior]

Always have a rheostat or thermostat. Before I was able to get my rheostat, the temperature stayed around 100 degrees, but that was with a thermometer i now know does not work, and I have a new one. I even found it at 130 once, unplugged it immediatly, took my gecko out, and told my dad we are going to the pet store early.

 

[Nick44]

Use a piece of tile. I had some tile left over from when my kitchen floor was done. Put tile over the UTH it works perfectly. use short non looped carpet for the cold side of the tank. seems to work the best. :main_thumbsup: