UTHs...help?

[techno_gecko]

heh. so we just got into geckos not too long ago and we've actually been learning a lot. I recently baught a UTH because I heard they were better for the geckos than using lights. But the one we baught actually sealed to the bottom of the terrarium. We didn't want to just have it stuck to the bottom like that so we were wondering if there was another way to use it.....like sticking it to tile and putting it in there....also if it stopped working, would it be hard to peel off??? I would assume you would still put the terrain over top of the UTH....but i just wanted a little more info.....i know the people on here usually know what they're talking about.






Also, what exactly is a rheostat and how does it work?? I've heard they're pretty important, atleast to most people they are.

 

[Halley]

Well with the UTH I would put it on the bottom, and use a carpet or something for the heat to pass through easily. It is pretty uncommon for them to just quite, so you shouldn’t have a problem there. And I think if you remove them while they are still working, you can actually cause them to quick working. So my personal recommendation is to leave the UTH on one side of the tank, and just let it be.

Also, what exactly is a rheostat and how does it work?? I've heard they're pretty important, atleast to most people they are.

To be honest I don’t know what the difference between a rheostat and a thermostat is. However I use a Helix control. What mine does is control the temp. The way it works is I set the temp I want the UTH to go to, lets say 90, then I put a sensor right on top of the spot the UTH is on, then the control automatically adjust the amount of power the UTH can get, and therefore controls the temp.

Here is a link http://www.helixcontrols.com/DBS1000.htm

 

[gothra]

Can't you just leave the backing on, and don't stick it to the tank?

With regard to the rheostat, its like a dimmer, where you can control the amount of heat output by turning the switch (knob) higher or lower.