Under the Tank heater ?'s

[Brewboy74]

I purchased a 10-20 gal zoo med uth for my 20L. While reading the directions it only recommended putting this under the tank if your putting this on a open bottom stand. I am planning on using an end table to begin. It also said that you must use a substrate with it. I was planning on paper towels for the youngsters I am planning for. How do you guys use your UTH's?

 

[TripleALeos]

Put the UTH directly on the tank. Put it on one end so that you have a warm side and a cool side. Paper towels work great.. They might not make the "prettiest" tank, but clean up is a lot easier. NEVER put them on sand..

 

[Taquiq]

NEVER put them on sand..

Some people use play sand when the Leos are adults and they have no problems, but there is always a risk for impaction. Never use calci or vita sand, though.

 

[Brewboy74]

My question concerns heat build on the wooden stand and any possible danger to the geckos feet with the paper towels with the uth right below their feet.

 

[Enigmatic_Reptiles]

It should be fine especially since it will/should be used with some form of regulator for the temps. I have not bought a UTH for some time now but they also should come with little rubber raisers which will raise the tank like 1/4" or so to allow airflow under the tank to reduce overheating. The uth over a coffee table should be perfectly fine.

 

[Taquiq]

It should be fine especially since it will/should be used with some form of regulator for the temps. I have not bought a UTH for some time now but they also should come with little rubber raisers which will raise the tank like 1/4" or so to allow airflow under the tank to reduce overheating. The uth over a coffee table should be perfectly fine.

+1, I use some UTH's and they are on a Helix with aluminum foil under them. They are on a wooden rack and I've never had a problem with overheating.

 

[Brewboy74]

Ok I have had it set up and running for about 4 hours and the air temp just above the heater is like 77 degrees and the temp temp with the probe laying right on the pad is 92 or so. This is on full blast. Is this going to be ok or am I doing something improperly? I also realized that my uth may be too small. It is the 10-20 gal side and only takes up about 1/6 th or so of the tank. Is this going to be enough or do I need to get a bigger one? Can I just add a second of the same size?

Thanks

 

[CallDr]

I used a Zoo Med and here is how I set mine up. I bought a piece of reptile carpet and used it between Tile from lowes ( ones with the round corners because of the silicone inside edges).

You will need 2 12x12 and 2 6x6 to cover the floor. I took an exact cut out pattern of the bottom of my tank to be sure it would fit.

Plus I use a Exo Terra MED hide for the Hot Hide. You can move the hide to find the sweet spot where it would not get too hot.

Tile is easy to clean and also looks nice.

You don't need a bigger UTH. Your Leo will move from hot to the cool side as needed.

The main thing is to give your leo enough time to get well adjusted to your tank. I would say 3 to 4 weeks. I don't think ( if you use tile ) you would have any danger in burning your leo.

With what little I have tracked with a temp gun...... anything from 88 to 98 will be fine. Even hotter inside the hide. ( 105 is still ok )

Just remember you can move the Hot hide around a little over the heated area to what works best for you. There will be a definite "hot spot" by the zoo med.

Basically you are fine. The floor temp will move up and down. Checking the temps is good to be sure yours is not going real wacky on you. A temp gun ( 25 bucks ) is the best way to measure the temps over the entire bottom and even inside the hide.

But 92 now is just fine.

 

[Brewboy74]

So that small area of uth will be enough for the whole tank? I was considering getting a second one and installing it next to the other one to increase the surface area. I like the look of that hide I will have to pick one up.

 

[Taquiq]

As long as there is 1 hide over it. Your leo will figure that it's his/her warm hide.