UTH?

[mmsi1002]

I just got a uth but it says it could burn my leo since i use paper towels. Is that true? It's a zoo med repti therm.

 

[robin]

Yes it is possible for a uth to overheat and burn your leo. you should always use a rheostat or proportional thermostat on any heat source.

 

[mmsi1002]

What if i use 5 or 6 layers of paper towel?

 

[moosassah]

You should at least have a temp gun to check for hot spots. If you put a ceramic tile over the UTH in the tank that will adjust the temp to some degree. You can find a reasonable temp gun on ebay/internet for about $15.

We use ceramic tiles with a layer or 2 of paper towel & check by temp gun. I have young kids who love to check the temps so it's done more often than an adult might follow through with.

 

[Stitch]

The directions state that you should use a thermostat or rheostat, this will help, if not totaly prevent your leo from being burned if used properly. I use UTH's with paper towels as substrate for ALL 8 geckos. On the hot side I do have to use 2-4 layers of paper towels in accordance with a rheostat. Plus I check the temps once a week with a PE-1 Temp Gun. The only time a gecko got burned was when the rheostat accidently got turned up too high. So that was MY fault, not the device.

 

[efx*]

I use paper towel with a light dimmer and it works fine. Its stays around 86 on medium and if it gets to cold I can het it up or turn it down.

 

[Stitch]

I use paper towel with a light dimmer and it works fine. Its stays around 86 on medium and if it gets to cold I can het it up or turn it down.

No offense efx*, but just because it works doesn't mean it's a good idea. You are gambling with your geckos life. I would save up the money to buy a t-stat or r-stat if I were you.

 

[efx*]

How much do they run and where can I get them?

 

[Stitch]

You can get them at most reptile shops. Thermostats cost more but IMO make it easier to control the temps because of the temperature probe that comes with them. Set the t-stat at 85 and you should get 85. [Although you should still use a seperate device (temp gun) to double check the t-stat just incase it fails] Rheostats require you to have a seperate device (temp gun) to measure the ground temps, meanwhile adjusting the rheostat to aquire the proper temps.

Prices vary, check these links for internet pricing:
LLLReptile

Big Apple Herp

 

[efx*]

Is this good?

http://www.bigappleherp.com/BAH-1000-Thermostat-1000-Watt-Triple-Plug-In?sc=2&category=15

 

[Russ S]

I use paper towel with a light dimmer and it works fine. Its stays around 86 on medium and if it gets to cold I can het it up or turn it down.

No offense efx*, but just because it works doesn't mean it's a good idea. You are gambling with your geckos life. I would save up the money to buy a t-stat or r-stat if I were you.

Hate to tell you this, but a r-stat or rheostat and a light dimmer are exactly the same thing.

 

[Stitch]

Hate to tell you this, but a r-stat or rheostat and a light dimmer are exactly the same thing.

See that, you learn something new every day. I can see how a light dimmer works the same as a R-stat. But if it wasn't made for this application I would still feel that it's risky to use, BUT that is just me.

It looks like you're in the clear efx*. Sorry about the confusion.

 

[Double LY]

Look on e-bay. I found a Rheostat 500 for $13 plus shipping (retails at Petco for around $36 or $38).

 

[robin]

we made our own rheostats. prolly about 5 bucks to make at most.

 

[Airilith]

we made our own rheostats. prolly about 5 bucks to make at most.

How do you make a rheostat?

 

[robin]

i will get russ to describe it later (when he gets home) and show photos.i can do it but i forget all the correct names of stuff lol. it is very easy though and yes safe too :yes:

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

A rheostat is a fancy name for a dimmer. Although I recommend temperature controllers for racks, a dimmer should work just fine on a tank set-up as long as you have an accurate way of measuring the surface temperature on the bottom of the tank where the UTH is when you are adjusting the setting.

I use in-line table lamp dimmers on all my tanks, and were very easy to put directly on the heater cord without any problem, and much cheaper than the commercial rheostats made by the reptile supply companies. You usually can't find them at Lowes or Home Depot, but you can can pick them up at lighting stores. Here's what they look like:

 

[Airilith]

i will get russ to describe it later (when he gets home) and show photos.i can do it but i forget all the correct names of stuff lol. it is very easy though and yes safe too :yes:

I would appreciate that!