Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I don't think I have a big problem here, but when I put together this new setup for my snake, this stand does not have a table top on it, it's just open. Up side is, she's easy to find because I can look from underneath! Looks like an ant farm with the paths she makes in the aspen. Anyway, the downside is, the under tank heater I think really loses a lot of its heating ability because although heat rises, a lot of it just escapes below because it's not trapped by a table top surface.

So I am currently supplementing the warmth of the UTH with a spotlight on that side (the right side), but it's different than her previous heat source. Do you think that should work okay for her or should I just put a board inbetween the tank and the stand to concentrate the heat from below and get rid of the spotlight for heat from above?

-----
0.1 Lampropeltis Getula Floridana

I had a stand just like that for an aquarium a little while back. The heat pad always seemed to work fine. But if you can't get that side warm enough, I say put a board there and put the heat pad on top of that.
-----
Mike
KingPin Reptiles Inc.
www.kingpinreptiles.com
^ Updated 4/17

sit the tank on a table and get rid of the stand.. Overhead light heating is not good for the snake unless it just serves as a display light.

You can try getting a board cut at homedepot or Lowes to sit in the stand and then placde the tank on.

Be careful with undertank heat pads. They can catch fire. If you ever smell something check that pad first.
-----
I still don't need no spell chack.

well it's on while I'm not at home so I hope it doesn't catch fire! As long as you have a little space between the heater and the table it's pretty safe, right?
-----
0.1 Lampropeltis Getula Floridana

well it's on while I'm not at home so I hope it doesn't catch fire! As long as you have a little space between the heater and the table it's pretty safe, right?

Space is not the problem. Its the heat pads themselves. I have had three destroy furniture and almost catch fire.

It may be the brand you use more than anuthing else. I have some pics i took from a few years back of the pads and damage in case I decided to sue. I called the company and sent pics of their pads and the damge they caused.. They still produce the same heat pads and I purchased another and 6 moths later and it ignited as well. I don't recall the company as I write but they were blue in color. I have tried many brands and two different brands burned. I have owned Zoo Med pads but never put them through any use to find out if they ignite. I am guessing since they are the most avaliable thats the brand you are using(?). I have never had any problems with them except they just stopped working. But my experience with zoo med is limited.

I'll post pics if I can dig them up later. This was just a warning to the brand you use and to stay alert for any elictric type smells in the house. Just a precaution.
-----
I still don't need no spell chack.

Gotcha. Yes, ZooMed is the brand I am using, and we've used one on a lizard tank for a while with no problems. Whenever I get paranoid about stuff like this I try to imagine how many people use them every day, many of them paying less attention to safety than I am. But your experience with those blue ones is startling indeed.
-----
0.1 Lampropeltis Getula Floridana

I've been using the ZooMed brand heat pads for many many years. I have never had a single problem other than it coming un-stuck after a few years. You just need to make sure that there is a small amount of space between pad and table. Its still probably a good idea to keep a close eye on it though.
-----
©

-----
I still don't need no spell chack.

That's pretty scary.
-----
0.1 Lampropeltis Getula Floridana

I have used dozens of the zoo med pads, some of them for 15 years with no problems. I still use the first one I ever bought.