Advice: UTH not not working properly

[Cobb89]

I posted a few days ago asking about UTH compatibility with my set up, let me run a refresher course...

-20 gallon long tank
-tile as substrate

I added a uth heating pad, the stick on kind, that was rated for 10-20 gallon tanks, and mounted it on the bottom of the tank. I turned it on yesterday afternoon while my heat lamp was still on to give it proper time to heat up and such so that I could just run the pad at night with no lamp.

This morning I got up to check the temp and it was coming in at about 79 degrees, which I actually think I could achieve if I just turned everything off, which would then lead me to have wasted money.

I reached in and touched the tile that was just above the pad and the spot was warm so I know the thing is on, just doesnt seem to be working to its potential.

The pad is already applied and stuck on, and I dont know how the things are when it comes to attempting to remove them, it seems to be on there pretty well. Should I consider returning it and moving up to a bigger pad? Or should I consider something else? I had thought about trying to remove it and then re-apply it on the side of the tank, which the instructions said was another option, but I actually don't think this will make much difference.

Any and all advice will be greatly appreciated.

 

[MauricesExoticPets]

If the surface feels warm you can be assured the temperature is nearing 100degF. Warm of course is a relative term and is not the proper way to go about keeping reptiles in a manner that should expect good results.

In your case and any other where surface temperatures are in question a digital temperature gun is a required item at the bare minimum. these devices measure exactly or as closely as one could need the temperature of a spot on a surface. They use infrared sensors to do this, some come with laser aiming aids some do not. In any case measuring several spots on the surface directly over the heat mat/pad is required to get a clear picture of the temperatures your gecko will experience in that area of the enclosure.

Secondly, a thermostat should be used to regulate the temperature. The probe can be placed directly on the mat itself or somehow attached to the surface. The thermostat is then set according to the measured temperature found using the temp gun, not by the thermostat display. (the thermostat may read 100 but surface temps are 95 or whatever your desired temp is, this is perfectly ok)

Maurice Pudlo

PS I use 3 sections of 11" flexwatt on 1/2 29 gallon (29 gallon frame but only 6" tall), I'm using slate as a substrate, and the enclosures are rack mounted. For me this works out great, but is quite different than a single open vivarium.

 

[Cobb89]

Are you saying that the surface temp of the mat is reaching 100 degrees? Or that the ambient temperature in the tank is reaching 100 degrees? My little standard thermometer was reading just below 80, so I'm assuming you mean the temp of the mat. But with that, should I be concerned about my leo burning himself on the tile over the mat as he might with one of those heat rock things? Or do those reach much higher temps thus causing injury?

 

[Cobb89]

I was reading on another thread that a potential issue is that the mesh tank lids allow heat to just flow right out. I've got a piece of oak board that could cover the warm side of my enclosure. I'm thinking of wrapping the board in tin foil and placing it over the warm side, see if that helps with heat retention.

 

[MauricesExoticPets]

I am refering to the temperature on the surface of the tile substrate. Your own body temperature is 98.5ish, if the tile seems warm its hotter than that.

The temperature of the heat mat can be similar or higher, it's not what your gecko comes into contact with.

If the surfact temperature is too high, yes it would be just like a hot rock, and yes it could burn your gecko.

Thermostats and good temperature monitoring tools keep this from happening.

Maurice Pudlo

 

[MauricesExoticPets]

I was reading on another thread that a potential issue is that the mesh tank lids allow heat to just flow right out. I've got a piece of oak board that could cover the warm side of my enclosure. I'm thinking of wrapping the board in tin foil and placing it over the warm side, see if that helps with heat retention.

This is true, air temperature is not often elevated much by UTH methods unless enclosed, the general thought is that the ambient temperature is kept within some range that is acceptable to the gecko.

Maurice Pudlo

 

[Cobb89]

Would it be better to attach the thermostat node to the mat on the underside of the tank or on the inside of the tank? If inside, where exactly should I place it?

 

[Cobb89]

So let me ask this general question, perhaps I'm confused, I just want to clarify. When using a UTH is the intent that the animal uses surface temperature to regulate his temperature or ambient temperature of the air?

 

[MauricesExoticPets]

For ground geckos with limited climbing area surface temps are the primary consideration. With this in mind air temps should not be allied to fall below the lowest acceptable temp for the species in question. For climbing species air temperature is more of an issue because they use more of the enclosure area not directly in contact with the substrate.

In your case place the probe directly on the substrate centered over the heat mat. This will allow the thermostat to read directly from the surface and adjust accordingly.

The only way to get away from placing the probe on the heat mat itself is if you own a temp gun and use it to find the surface temperature of the substrate and adjust the thermostat to whatever temperature is required to heat the surface properly.

Maurice Pudlo

 

[Cobb89]

Oh alright thanks a lot, now I'm a lot less confused. The air temp this morning was in the high 70s, I'm sure I can do a few things to get it into the low 80s. During the day I have a heat lamp on for basking, so day time isn't an issue.

My uth is in the middle of the warm side of the tank, so if I ran a probe to that spot it would be well on the floor of his habitat. Do I need to worry about him messing with, being stressed by it, or anything of that nature?

 

[MauricesExoticPets]

The probe itself is not going to stress the gecko, it does help to secure it some way so it isn't moved off of the place you need it. Leopard geckos can't hurt the probe in any way.

Maurice Pudlo

 

[Cobb89]

Alright, thanks for the help. You've been really patient with me haha

 

[MauricesExoticPets]

My pleasure,
Maurice Pudlo