Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Tonight I decided it was best to turn off all heat pads when I did a temp reading. They have pretty much always been hooked into one large power strip (with a few extetions with multiple outlets) with no trouble. I know this is not the best setup but i would have not expected anything like this to just come about one day with the addition of one heat tape UTH. I did a measure of the area in the tanks of a few animals tonight to get and idea and found that above the UTHs in some cages were almost 140 degrees!!! It seemed the animals were smart enough to stay off this but I could not believe how easily I could have lost a few expensive animals. It seems temps without heat sources should stay between 75 and 80 so I think I will be fine until I figure out a solution...Any suggestions. I use carpet as a bedding...does anyone think 2 or 3 layers could help this or would it conduct too much heat creating more risk?

Holy cow..that *is * hot. I thought I was bent out of shape because my dragon heat mat under cage was reading 92-93 and I can't turn it any lower with this fancy rheostat I bought at the herp store. 140...wow.
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"Isn't sanity just a one-trick pony, anyway? I mean, all you get is that one trick: rational thought.
But when you're good and crazy, man, the sky's the limit!"

1 BP Rescued from street
1 Double-yellow headed Amazon Parrot
2 Tiels
6 cat rescues
1 Cocker rescue
What can I say? They can see the invisible "Sucker" tattoo on my forehead, lol.

If I were you I would turn your dragons heat up. Alot of monitors/dragons require a hot spot of 110-130F to live a long healthy life.
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CB

"I'm a truckin bassmole, and proud of it"

I'm sorry...I typed that so it was confusing. The name brand of the mat is "dragon". Its under a Ball Python's cage. Thanks for the tip though.
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"Isn't sanity just a one-trick pony, anyway? I mean, all you get is that one trick: rational thought.
But when you're good and crazy, man, the sky's the limit!"

1 BP Rescued from street
1 Double-yellow headed Amazon Parrot
2 Tiels
6 cat rescues
1 Cocker rescue
What can I say? They can see the invisible "Sucker" tattoo on my forehead, lol.

You might want to check out BIG APPLES porportional thermostats. I've been using one for years and it works great. Also check out HELIX either one of these units is worth the price. Considering what most of us have inversed in just normal balls they are worth it.

Do you happen to have a web addy or something to look into those units?
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1 Ball Python
1 Rock Python
1 Bullsnake
5 Cats

Love 'em all ...

That is pretty much the given temp of an unregulated heat pad or tape. The key is to regulate it with either a thermostat or rheostat or (my favorite) dimmer switch. My 12 yo son wires my dimmers for me, so it is not rocket science. And to save on switches etc.....buy a three plug extension cord for 77cents at Walmart, wire the dimmer into the extension cord. Magic! you can now regulate three pads with that switch. As for all that plugged into a power bar....add up your wattage. Pads are not big wattage users and you would be surprised how little electricity you are sucking. Once you turn them down to 90-95 you will be set. This is where a IR thermometer is wonderful.
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Sonya

Haven't we warned you about tampering with the structure of a chaotic system?
Mrs. Neutron

Thanks. I wonder why I have never measured above the 90s before on my cage floor? And now it has gone crazy. I thought maybe it could be my gun but there is no way..it is taking temps great and I tested it on my skin and other things. I also noticed it when I went into a cage and felt heat way above the normal height you would feel from floor heat. I am just glad it is summer so the animals can make it without the UTH's for a little bit. I am terrible with wires (obviously) so I do not know if the dimmer is best for me (I am sure its the cheapest...so I should find someone that is good at it, lol). Thanks to all the responses and hopefully I get this corrected soon. Oh ya...nobody thinks an extra layer of carpet or 2 is a good idea?