UTH on a sterilite tub?

[punkflash54]

i should be getting a new gecko tomorrow...its supposed to be shipped today and i am in the process of getting everything set up tonight so i can check the temps and make sure everything is perfect. i ordered a repti therm under tank heater for 10 to 20 gals....well i just got the heater today. a few days ago i picked up a 73qt sterilite tub at walmart...i wanted something bigger then a 10gal tank becuase the gecko i am getting is a full grown male. the UTH says to use only on glass aquariums, my questions is can i put it on the sterilite tub? or will it get too hot for the plastic and melt it?

 

[acpart]

Zoo-med says the 1-5 gallon mini UTH is OK to use on plastic, but when you look at the package it has the same "glass only" warning. In my opinion, if you use a thermostat to keep the temp no higher than 90º, it should be OK. If anyone knows differently, please let us know.

Aliza

 

[brandy101010]

As long as it is on a thermostat it should be ok. Do NOT use it with out one.
Good luck!

 

[punkflash54]

where can i get a thermostat?

 

[brandy101010]

you can get a cheep on/off type at lllreptile .com.
a proportional one is better but a lot of money so if your in a hurry and low on cash the Alife one they have there will work. Make sure you get a digital thermometer with a probe to go with it. those sticky dial ones are crap.

 

[punkflash54]

i have a digital thermometer. i have read somewhere that you can use a regular light dimmer to change the temp of the under tank heater, would that work? i'm kind of in a hurry to get everything set up since my gecko should arrive tomorrow. I have seen the fluker's heat mat before and you can put that one on plastic but now that i need to find one...i cant. and all i have is the zoo med one that says not to use on plastic

 

[brandy101010]

I have never used dimmers before and am not sure exactly how they work, but I assume that would be fine. Hopefully someone else can confirm that for you soon.

 

[acpart]

You can use a dimmer, but you have to adjust it if the room temp changes because it will set the heater at a particular temp but won't adjust it like a thermostat does. Probably if you adjust seasonally it would work fine.

Aliza

 

[punkflash54]

where can i get a dimmer? sorry for all these questions...i just want to make sure i have the proper heat

 

[acpart]

They're pretty cheap at places like Home Depot or (I suppose) Loews. Just go and ask where they are. They are also called rheostats.

Aliza

 

[punkflash54]

thanks! i'm going to head out later today to get one!