Reptile & Amphibian Forums

allright so my mom just purchased me some undertank heaters one is four paws brand natures heat UTH
and the otther is a zoo med brand repti therm U.T.H

some things i wanted to know is know with these in place can i turn off there black lights at night?

also what should i know about these UTH and experiance with one? also is it really safe to stick em to the glass?
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0.0.1 Jungle carpet
0.0.2 Emp scorpion
((Gone But not forgotten))~Rocky-9 Yr. Iggy 0.1.0 green iguana
0.0.3 Leopard gecko
0.0.(Who knows) Crikits

Don't set the tank on the cord--elevate it so the cord isn't crushed.
Use a thermostat or a rheostat, and a thermometer--take the temperature of the surface of the substrate over the pad, it shouldn't be higher than 90 F. Most undertank heaters get hotter than this, so you will need to adjust the temperature with the rheostat, or set it on a thermostat to prevent overheating.
You don't need a black light at night if the UTH is keeping the tank warm enough. Take care that your black light doesn't overheat the basking area in combination with the UTH, if you use it to view your geckos at night.

alrite thanks how about if i place one of those round thermomaters from zoo med on the botom?

also if i see that it is too hot can i place some tiles on the warmer side? thatlle help rite?
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0.0.1 Jungle carpet
0.0.2 Emp scorpion
((Gone But not forgotten))~Rocky-9 Yr. Iggy 0.1.0 green iguana
0.0.3 Leopard gecko
0.0.(Who knows) Crikits

A better investment would be to pick up one of those indoor/outdoor thermometers that has the remote probe on a long wire from Wal-Mart or something...they're only like 12 bucks.
You can then move the probe around to get temperature readings in different spots in the cage, hang the main thermometer in the cage in one spot, or use it to keep track of your room temps, whatever...very versatile things.
I have one I hang on the warm side of my cage to keep track of the air temp, then put the probe down on the hot side to keep track of surface temps--I can move it over to get a reading inside the humid hide, surface temps on the cool side, etc. Good for setting up a laying box in the right spot to make the female happy.

A thermometer with a probe is best as they are digital and alot more accurate.You have to have a thermostat with any heating element besides bulbs which I suggest using dimmers for.. Herei sa link to a tstat compairison page I made up...
http://www.mgreptiles.com/THERMOCOMPARE.html
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www.mgreptiles.com
CBB Herps and Heating Supplies