Heating pad on side of tank?

[broadjay]

Today i purchased a new and larger tank/viv for my bearded dragon, Leaf. The lady had previously had a small heating pad on the warm side on the tank, stuck onto the side of the glass, not underneath the tank. Is this an okay thing? Or should I remove it before transferring Leaf into his new enclosure?

 

[BertieTheBeardie]

I've never used a heat pad but they have very bad reviews, bearded dragons often burn themselves on them so I'd remove it just in case Leaf runs into it. Also they are quite unpredictable, people say they either give off hardly any heat or they've gotten really hot so best to be safe and to take it out!
Hope this helps

 

[AHBD]

A heating pad on the side of the tank is not going to benefit the dragon....no heat will be transferred to the dragon so it's really a waste. Not sure where that idea got started but it's not going to heat the tank. If you need warmth at night, get a CHE [ ceramic heat emitter ] During the day, the lights will provide the right heat.

 

[broadjay]

Thank you very much to both of you!! I have removed the heating pad, and Leaf appears very happy in the new tank

 

[BertieTheBeardie]

Sounds good!! Happy to help

 

[ruben0311]

heat pad on the side of tank will only work to heat the ambient air temp a few degrees. use it if you feel it would get too cold at night without one but you probably dont need it. you dont really need to worry about it burning you buddy as the heat is not directly on the animal itself. the issues come when people put them inside the tank where an animal can make direct contact with it. if you choose to use under the tank just make sure there is some ventilation under the tank... small rubber feet on corners to raise it up a smidge, and that there is some substrate over the area to better distribute the heat. my UTH gets his sand up to about 90 degrees but i have carpet underneath the sand anyway to keep him from digging down all the way to the glass.