UTH and other questions

[Jojobeansy]

Hi! I am in the process of setting up a larger tank for my crabbies and I am looking into a UTH. It's a 29 gallon tank, and we keep our house thermostat at 68-70 range. I am looking at an ultratherm 11x23" mat to put along the back side of the tank. Does anyone have experience with this, and if so what are your thoughts? I had trouble keeping my 10g warm with just a UTH, granted it didn't take up nearly half of the back side, so that may have been the problem and not the low wattage. I want to make sure my little guys stay warm enough! I am also concerned whether the sub staying room temp is an issue... obviously the UTH goes above sub level, so if the sub isn't heated, will that cause problems when they burrow? I certainly don't want them to get sick while trying to molt! I have somewhat looked into heat lamps, but I have had lots of trouble keeping humidity up in my current tank, and I don't think I can do a heat lamp if need to wrap the screen in plastic wrap. Suggestions?

Also, when the new tank is ready and I know the temp/humidity is stable, what is the best way to make the switch without causing too much stress on my crabs? And what do I do with the ones that like to stay buried even when they aren't molting? I would be afraid to dig them up, but I never see them come out of hiding? (I know they do, because I have seen that they have switched shells, but they must do it while I'm sleeping or away because I never see them!)

[daws409]

http://Www.ReptileBasics.com is the best site to buy the UTH. Yes, along the back and ABOVE the sub. Your goal is to heat the air, not the sub. The sub being cooler will not harm them. Think of digging a whole for yourself on a hot day. It'll be much cooler underground than the air. Word of caution: zoomed/all living things does little to nothing for heat.

Heat lamps DO zap humidity. Most who have problems with humidity can't use them. You can take packing tape (sticky side out) to seal the lid. Seran wrap, press and seal, or tin foil can also seal the lid but leave room for light to sit on lid.

After new tank is set up and stable, you can go ahead and transfer the ones that are up. Leave the ones that are buried. When they come up, transfer them as well.

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[Crabinski]

Hi! I am in the process of setting up a larger tank for my crabbies and I am looking into a UTH. It's a 29 gallon tank, and we keep our house thermostat at 68-70 range. I am looking at an ultratherm 11x23" mat to put along the back side of the tank. Does anyone have experience with this, and if so what are your thoughts? I had trouble keeping my 10g warm with just a UTH, granted it didn't take up nearly half of the back side, so that may have been the problem and not the low wattage. I want to make sure my little guys stay warm enough! I am also concerned whether the sub staying room temp is an issue... obviously the UTH goes above sub level, so if the sub isn't heated, will that cause problems when they burrow? I certainly don't want them to get sick while trying to molt!

I have a 29g and have used an 11x23 Ultratherm for the past two years with absolutely no problems. My house is set at 71 degrees (can't go any lower with my arthritis) and the Ultratherm keeps the boys comfy in the low 80s (mid 80s in the summer). Ultratherm is hands down the best brand available and, as @daws409 suggested, ReptileBasics is a great source (low prices and cheap shipping).

[Jojobeansy]

Thank you both so much for the input!! Reptile Basics is exactly where I was looking, I just wanted to make sure it was going to be a viable option before I went through the trouble of ordering and then having to return it for not working the way I needed it to.

[GotButterflies]

I have both of my UTH from reptile basics also. It's a great company!