Tank Heating

[taylo00]

So, I have been fighting with my tank temps for a while. I have Zoo Med UTHs for all of my tanks, and they vary in size based on the tank they are in. My temps are still on the low side of good and my crabs are not very active. Can I use an approved form of insulation to cover the front and sides of the tank (not where the heat pads are) and attempt to raise the heat that way? Would this even work?

Thanks for any and all advice. I cannot afford more heat mats or different UTHs right now.

[fandt94]

So, I have been fighting with my tank temps for a while. I have Zoo Med UTHs for all of my tanks, and they vary in size based on the tank they are in. My temps are still on the low side of good and my crabs are not very active. Can I use an approved form of insulation to cover the front and sides of the tank (not where the heat pads are) and attempt to raise the heat that way? Would this even work?

Thanks for any and all advice. I cannot afford more heat mats or different UTHs right now.

You can insulate around the ZooMeds, yes.

[LeeHasCrabs]

So, I have been fighting with my tank temps for a while. I have Zoo Med UTHs for all of my tanks, and they vary in size based on the tank they are in. My temps are still on the low side of good and my crabs are not very active. Can I use an approved form of insulation to cover the front and sides of the tank (not where the heat pads are) and attempt to raise the heat that way? Would this even work?

Thanks for any and all advice. I cannot afford more heat mats or different UTHs right now.

You can insulate around the ZooMeds, yes.

What are good methods to use for insulating? I have one I need to insulate and then I need to get another because “Winter is coming.”

[taylo00]

I've heard many people use Reflectix (a type of aluminum insulation sheet) to cover the side of their tank where the UTH is located. I don't know how well it works though. I too am looking for a fix for this problem.

[LeeHasCrabs]

Just saw this post from Mötorcrab in another thread:

I secure my heaters with the go to, duct tape. I have mine mounted as as high as possible and all the way to one side of the tank. I purchased a thin sheet of Poly Pro foam insulation board (about $10 for a 4 X 8 sheet) and covered the ultratherm and entire back of the tank with it. That helped direct a lot of heat back into the tank. Once again I used duct tape to hold that too.

[fandt94]

Just saw this post from Mötorcrab in another thread:

I secure my heaters with the go to, duct tape. I have mine mounted as as high as possible and all the way to one side of the tank. I purchased a thin sheet of Poly Pro foam insulation board (about $10 for a 4 X 8 sheet) and covered the ultratherm and entire back of the tank with it. That helped direct a lot of heat back into the tank. Once again I used duct tape to hold that too.

This was used to go OVER an ultra therm...with the OP, she has a ZoomMed heat pad that cannot be insulated over it...only around it. That being said you can definitely use cardboard and foam ...just not over a ZooMed one or any other type of pad type.

[Hermie escape artist]

Just saw this post from Mötorcrab in another thread:

I secure my heaters with the go to, duct tape. I have mine mounted as as high as possible and all the way to one side of the tank. I purchased a thin sheet of Poly Pro foam insulation board (about $10 for a 4 X 8 sheet) and covered the ultratherm and entire back of the tank with it. That helped direct a lot of heat back into the tank. Once again I used duct tape to hold that too.

On the outside of the tank? and u can cover the ultratherm?

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

[Hermie escape artist]

Just saw this post from Mötorcrab in another thread:

I secure my heaters with the go to, duct tape. I have mine mounted as as high as possible and all the way to one side of the tank. I purchased a thin sheet of Poly Pro foam insulation board (about $10 for a 4 X 8 sheet) and covered the ultratherm and entire back of the tank with it. That helped direct a lot of heat back into the tank. Once again I used duct tape to hold that too.

This was used to go OVER an ultra therm...with the OP, she has a ZoomMed heat pad that cannot be insulated over it...only around it. That being said you can definitely use cardboard and foam ...just not over a ZooMed one or any other type of pad type.

Can someone google a pic on ebay or somewhere if a ultratherm so i know what heater im looking for

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

[LeeHasCrabs]

Just saw this post from Mötorcrab in another thread:

I secure my heaters with the go to, duct tape. I have mine mounted as as high as possible and all the way to one side of the tank. I purchased a thin sheet of Poly Pro foam insulation board (about $10 for a 4 X 8 sheet) and covered the ultratherm and entire back of the tank with it. That helped direct a lot of heat back into the tank. Once again I used duct tape to hold that too.

This was used to go OVER an ultra therm...with the OP, she has a ZoomMed heat pad that cannot be insulated over it...only around it. That being said you can definitely use cardboard and foam ...just not over a ZooMed one or any other type of pad type.

Oh sorry to give misinformation. So you cannot insulate heat pads like ZooMed and Ultratherm?

[curlysister]

You can insulate OVER an Ultratherm.

You can only insulate AROUND a Zoo Med, you can not put the insulating material over top of the actual heater.

[fandt94]

You can insulate OVER an Ultratherm.

You can only insulate AROUND a Zoo Med, you can not put the insulating material over top of the actual heater.

^^^this...by heat pads I meant any other heat pad that was like ZooMed...Zilla makes heat pads also and they cannot be insulated over them. Sorry for any confusion. Ultratherms CAN be insulated OVER them. I believe heat tape can also?? I don’t know the different brands of ultratherms but I have a Vivarium from Reptile Basics.

[Hermie escape artist]

You can insulate OVER an Ultratherm.

You can only insulate AROUND a Zoo Med, you can not put the insulating material over top of the actual heater.

^^^this...by heat pads I meant any other heat pad that was like ZooMed...Zilla makes heat pads also and they cannot be insulated over them. Sorry for any confusion. Ultratherms CAN be insulated OVER them. I believe heat tape can also?? I don’t know the different brands of ultratherms but I have a Vivarium from Reptile Basics.

Does anyone use heat tape ?

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

[taylo00]

Is it helpful to insulate around the ZooMed heating pad? I just bought some Reflectix and insulation tape. Should I cut out close around the heating pad or leave a gap?

[LeeHasCrabs]

Is it helpful to insulate around the ZooMed heating pad? I just bought some Reflectix and insulation tape. Should I cut out close around the heating pad or leave a gap?

What did you end up doing Tayo00?