Under the tank heater

[popsickle18]

I have a medium sized under the tank heater that I have been using for my bearded dragon. The dragon I had before him had it as well and lived on it for 10.5 years. I have the recommended heat lamp and UVB lamp as well. What I am wondering is if I even need the under the tank heater. I noticed he really does like to snuggle on it during the colder months. When it is warmer he usually sleeps on the other side of the tank.

Under the tank heaters do not harm dragons do they? If so, I have not heard of it. There is repti-carpet, a thin layer of sand, and of course the glass tank in between him and the heater.

What does everyone think? I'd love some feedback!

 

[Taterbug]

UTH are not nessisary, but if you use it with a thermostat it isn't a hazard. I've thought about it for the dragon, but would probably get a CHE is night temps were ever a problem.

The problem is there is nothing to stop them from overheating and I have seen the ones I use for my snakes get up around 120-130 degrees. They run the risk of causing burns, especially to a sleeping beardie. Having a few layers between them usually helps buffer the heat, but I don't trust it and always use thermostats.

 

[popsickle18]

UTH are not nessisary, but if you use it with a thermostat it isn't a hazard. I've thought about it for the dragon, but would probably get a CHE is night temps were ever a problem.

The problem is there is nothing to stop them from overheating and I have seen the ones I use for my snakes get up around 120-130 degrees. They run the risk of causing burns, especially to a sleeping beardie. Having a few layers between them usually helps buffer the heat, but I don't trust it and always use thermostats.

I never thought of using it with a thermostat. Does it need to be a specific UTH or is it something that the UTH is plugged into? I have felt them get very hot too. It has always kinda worried me. With the other bearded dragon I had before this one the pet store we got it from set the tank up for us and stuck the UTH right to the bottom of the tank. It would get so hot on the glass! I never saw burns but I would be very nervous about him being under there for long. It even caused heat cracks to the glass which got worse and worse throughout the years. Thankfully because of a piece of carpet I put down there was no risk of him getting cut and he never looked burned.

Fortunately I had the funds to get a new tank which is actually elevated off the ground by about an inch - inch and a half. It doesn't get as hot as it used to with the old tank but it is still pretty hot.

 

[Taterbug]

The heat mat plugs into the thermostat, and the thermostat has a probe that you put on the mat to measure the temp. You set a temperature and the thermostat turns the mat on and off to maintain that temp. It can be used for most heating devices not just heat mats.

Heat mats need air circulation (the tank floor/mat should always be ellevated) to function properly and it sounds like yours did overheat. Also, most are not intended to be removed and reused, it can damage the heating elements.

I use hygrofarm thermostats, they are not the best as they have a wider on/off range, but are affordable (~$35) and accurate enough for the snakes I keep.

But as I said, if you have a basking bulb and don't have a particularly cold house, you should be fine not using the mat. A lot of people don't give heat at night unless it's really cold (65). If you choose to keep the heat mat, do invest in a thermostat.

 

[popsickle18]

Thank you so much for the information! I do not know if this one was meant to be removed. It looks like it is heat tape except it much larger than that but has those bands running through it. It was stuck to the bottom of the previous tank with some kind of adhesive that was on the mat itself. I did not stick it to the current tank. I just have it laying underneath of the tank because this tank is elevated this time and actually has air circulation! The mat itself was bought with my first dragon all the way back in 2003.

I will look into the the thermostat for sure. I wouldn't want it to overheat and cause my dragon any distress.

Thanks so much!

 

[Phoneguy]

I used many UTH's for leopard geckos, they really need belly heat and the UTH's are the best bet. Most of them get too hot and need something to lower the heat. You can use a thermostat but they can be expensive, the cheaper ones turn off and on when they reach the desired temperature and make it really difficult to keep a constant temperature. I always found the cheapest easiest way was to use a lamp dimmer from the hardware store. They cost about 7 bucks and are the same thing as a rheostat that they sell at the pet store for 25. Just be sure to keep a close eye on the temperature at floor level. The best thing is a temp gun.

 

[popsickle18]

I used many UTH's for leopard geckos, they really need belly heat and the UTH's are the best bet. Most of them get too hot and need something to lower the heat. You can use a thermostat but they can be expensive, the cheaper ones turn off and on when they reach the desired temperature and make it really difficult to keep a constant temperature. I always found the cheapest easiest way was to use a lamp dimmer from the hardware store. They cost about 7 bucks and are the same thing as a rheostat that they sell at the pet store for 25. Just be sure to keep a close eye on the temperature at floor level. The best thing is a temp gun.

Thanks so much for the information! I will look into those thing as well.