Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Does anyone use the T-Rex Cobra Heat Pads? I am looking at purchasing one to heat my kingsnake's 75 gallon aquarium, but I don't know much about the brand.

Does this brand cause stress cracks easily?

I have the tank sitting on a wooden table. Will I have to put something under the corners of the tank to elevate it to allow excess heat to escape?

Can it be used in conjunction with a thermostat, and if so, what is the best thermostat to use (under $100)?

I use one of these http://www.zoomed.com/db/products/EntryDetail.php?EntryID=113&DatabaseID=2&SearchID=1

it came with little rubber feet to put on the corners of my tank to elevate it a little. I haven't had a single issue with it, and I do have it hooked into a thermostat. Though it sticks to the bottom of my glass tank, the tank bottom itself is up about an inch into the plastic, so the heater is not right on the table. I'll see if I can get a picture of this for ya...

The heater:

The edge of the tank, trying to show how the glass doesn't sit exactly on the bottom:

The "foot":

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Holly

0.1 Lavender California Kingsnake (Lizzie Borden) (missing )
1.0 Florida Kingsnake possible mix (Eddie Gein)
1.0 Bearded Dragon (Charley Manson)
1.0 Orange Marmalade Cat (Oliver)
1.0 Egyptian Arabian (Bagan)

2.0 Toddlers (Justice & Trevor)

That's the way I have my tanks set up, rubber bumpers for air flow. Home depot carries rubber bumpers you can use for replacement or if you need some. I use the one thats about a 1/4" high.
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R.Bichlers Colubrids
http://www.webspawner.com/users/rbichler/index.html

I looked at that one. There weren't many reviews, but one customer said that he had problems with the UTH cracking the glass. My tank is on a wooden desk, and this is probably a stupid question, but do you think that the UTH gets hot enough to be a fire hazard?

Also, how many of those rubber feet does the UTH come with? I plan on using this for a 75 gallon glass aquarium, and I'm worried about there not being enough support.

What kind of thermostat do you use? I can't afford anything really expensive at the moment.

I used 3/4" x 3/4" wooden slats to raise the tank above the surface its on. That was when I used glass tanks.

That also left plenty of room between the UTH and the surface the tank was on to prevent the UTH from damaging the finish.

The biggest fire hazard is the power cable - if it is frayed or pinched, the shielding can wear away causing an electrical arc. Don't let the edge of the tank sit on the power cord.

You can use several 3/4" x 3/4" pieces of wood to adequately support your tank.
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I decided my old sig was too big.

Can you post a pic?

I don't use tanks anymore - but they were just those square 3/4" x 3/4" wooden rods you get at home depot or wherever - lay some out parallel to each other and sit the tank on it.
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I decided my old sig was too big.

Thanks for all the help.

I use the zoo meds like the one in the other post and have them hooked up to a zoo med retrostat you can buy the retrostat at petsmart for 22$ bucks.
Chris

i also use a t-rex UTH on one of my tanks. I never had a problem with the tank cracking with use of any UTH . I dont use any thing to control them but a switched outlet. they say the cracks are from high temps and probable exposure to liquids ie urates but i havent seen this. not saying it doesnt happen or that you shouldnt use anything to control it. just trying to help

Lew

I did have zoo med actually crack my tank bottom its no tale. You read about it you dont believe it but it happens.

I love the Cobra type . Use 2 of them in 30 gallon tanks each and love them

I LOVE just love Cobra I replaced the other junk I had popular brand which wont mention and have used this brand for 2 yrs its great.

Wont crack tank bottom as doesnt go to the dangerous fire causing lethal temp the other brand did.