Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I read on a website about a guy using a regular old human heating pad for an under tank heater. Would this work well? are there fire risks or something i need to worry about? I'd measure the temp, mine already has a thermostat type thing on it so thats why i want it rather than an uth. I'd also use a thermometer in addition to the thermostat.

The only thing that comes to my mind is if it is designed to be on constantly. As cheap as some off the heat sources are out there I can't see why you would want to risk using something outside of its designed usage. If anything ever happened I doubt you could hold them liable. The do sell heat mats if you like the idea. http://www.bigappleherp.com/Reptile_Supplies/Catalog/Heating_Products_28.html
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Brian
www.thewindycitygecko.com

the thing is, i'm looking for something with a built in heat control thingey. I didnt see any there with that, but i just did a quick skim.

Human heat pads used on reptiles are a fatal mistake. I damn near lost everything do to one of them, using it for a reptile. Its not worth the risk and yes it is a huge fire hazard
My Research and Collection

I cant understand why people always try to go the cheap, unsafe, unreliable ways when it comes to their pets husbandry...

Ya know what, buy a UTH and a thermostat disigned for reptile keeping... If you can not afford the proper equipment to properly and safely maintain your reptiles, you should not be keeping them at all...

Why does everyone have to be such a jerk? The reason i asked this question was to see if it was safe! if i didnt care, or if i was too cheap, then i wouldnt have asked. It just seemed like a good way to save money and time. Thats not being cheap, thats using common sense, and not spending money that doesnt need to be spent. I know you'll reply with the same response everyone does, which is "Sorry, there are some real jerks on this forum, i misunderstood your message, i was in a bad mood..." etc. Will everyone just give everyone else the basic human decency that everyone deserves? Dont assume people are cheap, jerks, or idiots. You dont know them. When will people look at the basic good of others instead of condemning them for something that the condemner doesnt even understand? instead, you could have offered help like the others did.
Have an excellent day,
~Nate

Nate, frankly I was gonna get in on this till I saw it all headin' downhill. The resons stated for not using heating pads are all valid. They have been known to start fires, the three level controls on most either get it to hot or not quite warm enough. Now, that being said, I used the same human heating pad under the tank I keep my pair of ball pythons in for eight years before it burned itself out(running 24/7). Never overheated, no burns, no fire. I don't tend to use them for my lizards, just my snakes. I suppose you could hook a thermostat to one and have better control of the heat, I've just not bothered. They can be made to work, but they just aren't the best choice. Use your own judgement, but be aware of the dangers. Just my thoughts.

Quig

If anyone feels froggy, jump. I can deal with the criticism.

Just a side note I dont think anyone was being mean realy. When Gregg replyed to my post the thought came into my head "Who do you think you are puting words into my mouth like that" However I came top realize its just easy to misunderstand a lot of what you read on this forum. I am not saying you cant aford it but I do agree that a person that can aford to properly keep an animal should not be. Take me for example. My little girl was born 2 months ago. Yeasterday I gave away 2 Columbian Boas because my reptile room is now her bedroom and I could not properly house the snakes anymore. Please dont think of us as mean people but rather just misunderstood. And please dont take my post as bad. I nearly did loose everything using a human heat pad under a gecko cage, Mine did burn but luckily I caught it before my house and family burned up. That being said come to think of it my Herp heat pads didnt even cost as much as mu human pad did so I dont understand how you can save money???? Unless maybe of course you already have one. Bottom line, Take it from me somone that has been there its not a good idea.
My Research and Collection

I wasnt responding to your message, jason, that message helped me. I was more talking about greg or whoever said "i cant understand why people are cheap etc", implying that i am cheap, i cant afford a uth, and dont care about my (soon to be mine) gecko. The reason i was asking was to see if it would work! theres no reason for me to go out and spend 20$ if i have what i need right here. Thats just a waste. Thats the reason i asked.

Thats understandable but take for example what was replyed to my post about my Geckos not breeding. "Whats the rush to breed her???" That is implying that I am in a hurry to breed and in turn damage my animals wich I am not. The question was not asked "Am I in a hurry but it was implyed I was. I think he is just misunderstoode. No harm there.
FOOT HILL REPTILES

whatever.