Heat Mat or CHE?

fab · #1 01-04-2012, 02:22 PM

Hello, I am building a new terrarium for my gecko. It will be pretty big (36"L x 18"W x 16"H). For substrate I will use slate. My question is if I should get a heat pad or if I should just use a ceramic heat emitter. The reason I ask this question is because I highly doubt the heat pad will penetrate through a layer of glass and a layer of slate. If it wont penetrate, can I just forget about the glass and put the heat pad between the slate and the bottom of the terrarium, which is wood, or is that a fire hazard? I know that slate is an insulator but once it gets hot, it stays hot for a while right? Anyway, thanks a lot for reading this. Have a nice day.

Harley_Davidson · #2 01-04-2012, 02:47 PM

I use an UTH in all my leo tanks and they have slate tile. You would be surprised how the heat permeates the tile. And they are so nice and warm....makes me want to lay on them.....LOL

Saskia · #3 01-04-2012, 02:58 PM

That´s right!! I would also say better go with the UTH, remember they not only need a warm environment but also they need belly heat and a CHE can´t provide that as nicely as the UTH

Yoshi'smom · #4 01-04-2012, 03:56 PM

A UTH will give you the belly heat that your gecko needs. However, I don't think it's wise to put a heat source on something flammable like wood. Can you make the enclosure out of glass? I think it will be better in the long run. Wood is a pain to seal and make waterproof and will deteriorate if not sealed correctly.

fab · #5 01-04-2012, 04:19 PM

Do you think it would be a good idea to make a cut out at the bottom and put glass there so I can put the heat pad under it? But I'm not sure if the heat pad would penetrate through the glass and the slate. I really don't want to spend $30 on a heat pad only to have it not heat anything up.

**Riverside Reptiles** · #6 01-04-2012, 04:27 PM

I disagree with much of the above advice. A CHE can provide belly heats just as well as a UTH especially if you're planning on using slate for substrate. The CHE will heat the slate quite nicely from above which will in turn provide plenty of belly heat IMO. Place the CHE on a thermostat with the thermostat probe on the slate and you will be able to achieve proper temps with no problems.

Yoshi'smom · #7 01-04-2012, 04:54 PM

I agree that a CHE will give you great belly temps especially with the slate tile. I think it would be your best option given that your terrarium will be made of wood. I don't think a UTH is a good idea on the wood. I however haven't used CHE's and don't have too much further input on the subject. I am looking to upgrade my heating soon... So we'll see.