Questions about UTH's

Ren1216 · Post by **Ren1216** » Thu Aug 25, 2005 3:08 am

I was reading another thread and realized I need to get my heater hooked up and going before I have another guy dig in and molt. I have sand in my crabitat (still waiting on my EE that I ordered from PetDiscounters). My questions are: How much substrate is necessary to use the UTH so that I dont bake my hermies? And do I plug it in and leave it on all the time?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Aug 25, 2005 3:53 am

I have mine sidemounted so I don't worry about them going to the bottom...but i have sand and it covers over 75% of the pad just to make sure it warms the sand. Then for the UTH- I was told this- "Oh, not too sure, but I think it's o.k. to leave the uth on. It would be about the same (I imagine) as leaving on a small lamp. Just keep a check on things and you should be ok."I'm afraid that I'll probably have to leave mine on because of the house temp...but i just turned the heat on because it was so cold in my house...all the windows are open..go figure, lol. And on my instructions it didn't say anything about leaving it on all the time, and I'm sure it would've if I couldn't. Just so long as theres elevation under the tank for heat to get out(if yours will be on bottom) and that there isn't any clothing or anything that could irritate the heater...oh yeah forewarning make sure to be sure of where you put it because you can wrip up the cords inside it if you pull it back off. My friend just called me up asking why hers wouldn't work(and she has the same one I do,) but of course the goofball she is, she didn't read the manual thing with it. which precisely says not to pull it off after its already been placed.Thats just my opinion and some of what others told me so. hope you get it figured out(I'm still figuring out how to keep my gauges kept at the right temp...lol )

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Aug 25, 2005 9:53 am

I also mounted mine on the side of the tank so I didn't have to worry about enough ventilation underneath (the crabitat sits on a dresser). The crabs can go to the warm side if they wish, or they can hang out in the cooler side. I haven't had to have it on in several months but you can leave it on all the time if needed. Just keep an eye on your temps. I found I usually only had to leave mine on at night.

Ren1216 · Post by **Ren1216** » Thu Aug 25, 2005 12:44 pm

When you side mount, do you have to have the sustrate deep enough to cover the area where the heater is at?? I heard if you dont, your glass can crack.... any imput?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Aug 26, 2005 2:30 am

yeah thats what it says in my manual to do. I have mine like 80% covered with sand so, lol. Then you definitely want to get at least MOST of the pad covered, it'd probably be better to go all the way covered, but I guess its just based on what you think is best. My substrate really really varies in height now, one side is like 2 in. deep while the other is like 5-6, which is fine, mine as well give them a bit of a challenge to get to spots instead of totally flat and boring lol. Hope that answered your question!

Ren1216 · Post by **Ren1216** » Fri Aug 26, 2005 3:53 am

Yep, thanks... and I think I will do the same with my substrate, deeper in some areas. Good idea!