What kind of heater?

[shanedaman112]

Hi, my heat is dropping to around 69 and 70 D:
The problem is I just looked at all the reviews for the only heat mats pet smart has and apparently they all suck, really bad. So what do I do, I'm really worried about this :s Thanks for any help

[KellyCrabbieLove]

Most of us swear by these. http://www.reptilebasics.com/ultratherm-heat-pads

[shanedaman112]

well I was hoping for something I might find more locally, infact I should have asked if heat lamps work

[KellyCrabbieLove]

When I had heat lamps it didn't help. I had to have half of my tank covered by a screen and the heat left that way. The lamps sucked up all of my humidity and dried up my substrate. I live in Indiana, it works differently in different climates. It is very dry in our house too.

[KellyCrabbieLove]

I have a 125 gal tank and used 2 ultratherms to cover the entire back. I bought customs glass lids each with a corner clipped for hosing and ventilation. My tank is always at least 81/81. I used to constantly stress over tank conditions and now I don't need to worry. It was about$300 for the whole set up though for a 125.

[shanedaman112]

Well thanks for the advice :D for now I have an electric blanket though I don't know how much help it'll be. Ill set it up tonight

[aussieJJDude]

I find heat lamps to be the best thing besides silicone! My tank is constantly humid & using a heat lamp balances out my tank nicely.

Have you looking into ceramic heaters? I heard they similar to heat lamp however they don't produce the lighting making good to use at night.

[hermieluv1]

I have a smaller tank (20 gallon long) and use 2 of the small reptile heaters from Petsmart, and those along with as regular aquarium top with bulbs, and good insulation keeps it in the 80's. Cost around $50.

[shanedaman112]

ugh, I found out I don't actually have the blanket anymore :/ so I might have to get some from petsmart

[YYWW]

Foil is a good substitute. Combined with styrofoam, cardboard, and SPACE TAPE (that tape that looks like shiney foil) and you might as well have built your own electric blanket!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[shanedaman112]

wait you mean put that around a heating mat or just on its own o.o

[YYWW]

You use all that stuff to insulate, and maybe amplify, an existing heat source.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[wodesorel]

If you can swing a Uth they really are the easiest. How big is your tank? I've had great luck with Flukers brand which Petco sells for sure. The medium 11X11 is ideal for the back of a 10 gallon. Mine has been fuss free for two years. The pads don't come much larger though, so if you have anything over a 20 gallon it probably won't heat like you need it.

Heat lamps definatey work. Check out the guide I wrote on them in the Caresheet section for more info. I can't link to things on my tablet. Been using them for five years, but it's a love/hate relationship. Uth are way better.

[moonbeam]

I have two zoomed UTHs on my old tote, I keep them insulated with foil and they've been working well so far (about 4 months). I have an ultratherm on my 55 and love it. It's the top shelf UTH imo but if you need something quick and local I've had success with the zoo meds. I had one heat lamp that shorted out after 6 days in use so I stick with my UTH.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[shanedaman112]

Well before I even read all this I just bought a uth, its definitely not big enough for the whole tank but its all we can afford D: anyway can you actually put a uth on the side of the tank then insulate it with the cardboard/foil thing?