Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I had crushed walnut sub and had great temp on substrate. I switched to playsand and am using slate to cover vast areas. Problem I have is gettting the sand substrate warmed up enuough. Is the sand more dense than the walnut was, meaning I need the sand in a thinner layer over the heating pad? I can put my hand under my tank to feel the heating pad. It almost feels cold. Im questioning if its even working. I am buying a dual thermostat or rheostat soon. Just wondering.

The sand and slate are staying. Ive read hundreds of posts and seen dozens of pictures with that combo. Please dont reply if your going to start the substrate debate again =)

how deep is your sand??
i use a 1-2 inch layer and its fine it gets up to 90 at the hot spot.
hope i helped.
simmo.

Had about 2 inches and was cold to the touch this A.M. I thinned it to about an inch now.

Do you have a probe in the sand?

has the overall temps in your house changed?
in my opinion, lower household winter temps make heaters less effective.

during the winter i stick a thin piece of styrofoam on the underside of my tank for insulation. just watch the temps closely after u do this. don't want to cook the geckos or break the glass! this upped my temps by 5 degrees.

i am using slate only, sat directly on the glass aquarium floor. my temps are ranging 85-92
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My overall day temps are same. Its the sub im worried about. If you have just slate and maintain those temps on the sub surface I bet i need to thin out the sand... hrmm Ill try that, thanks.