Correct heating method

Sillysheep · Post by **Sillysheep** » Tue Oct 03, 2017 7:14 pm

I am trying to make sure I have my crabitat set up safely, so I found, for starters, I was using my heaters horribly wrong. Under my tank. So, I took them out. They are zoomed. Can I use tape on them now? What kind?

Also, I got this heater, in the picture, with my first tank. Does anyone recognize it, if I use it, can it be taped to the tank and with what type of tape?

Also, does anyone have any suggestions regarding insulation? I live in Middle TN, in the basement, so, it's gets rather cold down here.

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Post by **wodesorel** » Wed Oct 04, 2017 12:32 am

I use packing tape myself, but aluminium tape is supposed to be good as well.

Yes, you can tape them on. If the pads got bent or are puffy use with caution as it could have broken the heating elements. I have three zoomed heaters I got second hand that I've been using for a couple of years now. Not pretty but functional.

The one you have is probably a Flukers. T-rex made some smaller ones in that style. Exoterra also make their waves series like that but I think theirs are all square. I am surprised there isn't a sticker somewhere saying the watts. Check the plug as well as exoterra embosses theirs with a logo. It may be a knockoff from amazon, too.

YouTube · Post by **GotButterflies** » Wed Oct 04, 2017 6:47 am

Wodesorel answered your question about heaters. You want to place them above substrate in the back or sides of tank (heat the air).

http://www.beanfarm.com or http://www.reptilebasics.com have great ultratherms

To insulate (around zoomed) use Reflectix insulation with Reflectix tape, or packaging tape or duct tape. Or You can also use aluminum foil (shiny side facing in tank) then use cardboard

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Sillysheep · Post by **Sillysheep** » Wed Oct 04, 2017 8:29 am

GotButterflies wrote:Wodesorel answered your question about heaters. You want to place them above substrate in the back or sides of tank (heat the air).

http://www.beanfarm.com or http://www.reptilebasics.com have great ultratherms

To insulate (around zoomed) use Reflectix insulation with Reflectix tape, or packaging tape or duct tape. Or You can also use aluminum foil (shiny side facing in tank) then use cardboard

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Thank you so so much. I'll be honest.. all the answers are here, I just had to look. Super wonderful place!!

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YouTube · Post by **GotButterflies** » Wed Oct 04, 2017 12:01 pm

Yw! I agree...this is a great crabbing community

Sillysheep · Post by **Sillysheep** » Thu Oct 05, 2017 9:57 pm

GotButterflies wrote:Yw! I agree...this is a great crabbing community

With these zoomed heaters, tape well too back and side above substrate. Got it. Should all zoomed heaters be toward one side? Cut out a hole in the reflectix so it won't cover the heaters? Will this help keep the heat in?

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YouTube · Post by **GotButterflies** » Fri Oct 06, 2017 6:16 am

Sillysheep wrote:
GotButterflies wrote:Yw! I agree...this is a great crabbing community
With these zoomed heaters, tape well too back and side above substrate. Got it. Should all zoomed heaters be toward one side? Cut out a hole in the reflectix so it won't cover the heaters? Will this help keep the heat in?

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Yes, you would cut a hole in the Reflectix so the zoomed is not covered. Zoomed scan go on the back or the sides of the tank. I have always placed heaters on the back.

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Hermiesguardian · Post by **Hermiesguardian** » Tue Oct 24, 2017 5:40 am

GotButterflies wrote:
Sillysheep wrote:
GotButterflies wrote:Yw! I agree...this is a great crabbing community
With these zoomed heaters, tape well too back and side above substrate. Got it. Should all zoomed heaters be toward one side? Cut out a hole in the reflectix so it won't cover the heaters? Will this help keep the heat in?

Sent from my XT1030 using Tapatalk
Yes, you would cut a hole in the Reflectix so the zoomed is not covered. Zoomed scan go on the back or the sides of the tank. I have always placed heaters on the back.

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I thought the whole point was to insulate the heater. Why would you cut a whole in it so as not to cover the heater? Unless I'm misunderstanding something. (entirely possible) I have my uth on the back, stuck on by sticky stuff on it. It was new. Then I covered the whole back with aquarium background then have that covered with tinfoil. Although I don't know if tinfoil helps because of the background.

daws409 · Post by **daws409** » Tue Oct 24, 2017 7:42 am

Cherylco55 wrote:
GotButterflies wrote:
Sillysheep wrote:With these zoomed heaters, tape well too back and side above substrate. Got it. Should all zoomed heaters be toward one side? Cut out a hole in the reflectix so it won't cover the heaters? Will this help keep the heat in?

Sent from my XT1030 using Tapatalk
Yes, you would cut a hole in the Reflectix so the zoomed is not covered. Zoomed scan go on the back or the sides of the tank. I have always placed heaters on the back.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I thought the whole point was to insulate the heater. Why would you cut a whole in it so as not to cover the heater? Unless I'm misunderstanding something. (entirely possible) I have my uth on the back, stuck on by sticky stuff on it. It was new. Then I covered the whole back with aquarium background then have that covered with tinfoil. Although I don't know if tinfoil helps because of the background.

Zoomed/Fluker heaters are already insulated. They do not need more insulation. Insulating them is a fire hazard... The only UTH that can be safely insulated/covered are the ultratherm UTHs from http://www.reptilebasics.com or http://www.beanfarm.com These cost about the same as a zoomed but they actually heat the tank better.

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Hermiesguardian · Post by **Hermiesguardian** » Tue Oct 24, 2017 9:09 am

@Daws49, ok. Thank you.

daws409 · Post by **daws409** » Tue Oct 24, 2017 10:47 am

Cherylco55 wrote:@Daws49, ok. Thank you.

YW!

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Post by **wodesorel** » Tue Oct 24, 2017 9:40 pm

Fluker can also be insulated according to their directions.

daws409 · Post by **daws409** » Sun Oct 29, 2017 12:44 pm

wodesorel wrote:Fluker can also be insulated according to their directions.

Didn't know that. Thanks!

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Hermiesguardian · Post by **Hermiesguardian** » Sun Oct 29, 2017 1:32 pm

[/quote]Zoomed/Fluker heaters are already insulated. They do not need more insulation. Insulating them is a fire hazard... The only UTH that can be safely insulated/covered are the ultratherm UTHs from http://www.reptilebasics.com or http://www.beanfarm.com These cost about the same as a zoomed but they actually heat the tank better.

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I have the zoo med mini heater. I had origionally gotten that for the 10 gal. I now have a 40 gal with the mini and added a zilla small uth. At 4 watts and 8 watts my husband says they're really not doing much. Lol. I got the sheet of foam insulation today. Will try that soon.

Post by **wodesorel** » Sun Oct 29, 2017 4:18 pm

Yeah, a proper sized Ultratherm for your tank would be between 23 and 46 watts, by comparison.

HCA: Hermit Crab Association