UTH Help

[Jadel]

My tank is the 24x18x12 exo terra
I was using the 8x6 Reptitherm which is way too small, so I switched to the Fluker’s 11x17 due to recommendations in this forum (FYI Ultratherm 11x17 and 11x11 are sold out on Amazon & Bean Farm, so that’s why I’m going with Fluker’s)

Problem is, due to the stand my exo terra is on, it’s about an inch or so too long. I had already removed my Reptitherm - which is not usable now - so I was forced to put the Fluker’s in the tank under the repitcarpet temporarily until I order the right UTH.

Since the UTH is IN not UNDER the tank, the cool side is a bit toasty at 81-82 degrees - or at least that’s my theory.
I am using the jump start thermostat & checking everything with a temperature gun.

SO - what UTH should I get? I was going to go 1 step down to the Fluker’s 11x11 (I’ll just keep the 11x17 for emergencies), that’s about 30% floor coverage vs the recommended 50%, but I really don’t want a UTH that I can’t move after mounting it so I think I’m out of options

Thanks for your help in advance!
Jade

PS this will be the THIRD heat mat I’ve bought in like one month... would really like for it to be the last one!!!

 

[Jadel]

I'm gonna go with the 11x11 and cross my fingers, ya'll.

Thanks,
Jade

 

[acpart]

Try that out and see what it gets you. I don't worry too much about the exact size of my UTH, though other people do.

Aliza

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

My tank is the 24x18x12 exo terra
I was using the 8x6 Reptitherm which is way too small, so I switched to the Fluker’s 11x17 due to recommendations in this forum (FYI Ultratherm 11x17 and 11x11 are sold out on Amazon & Bean Farm, so that’s why I’m going with Fluker’s)

Problem is, due to the stand my exo terra is on, it’s about an inch or so too long. I had already removed my Reptitherm - which is not usable now - so I was forced to put the Fluker’s in the tank under the repitcarpet temporarily until I order the right UTH.

Since the UTH is IN not UNDER the tank, the cool side is a bit toasty at 81-82 degrees - or at least that’s my theory.
I am using the jump start thermostat & checking everything with a temperature gun.

SO - what UTH should I get? I was going to go 1 step down to the Fluker’s 11x11 (I’ll just keep the 11x17 for emergencies), that’s about 30% floor coverage vs the recommended 50%, but I really don’t want a UTH that I can’t move after mounting it so I think I’m out of options

Thanks for your help in advance!
Jade

PS this will be the THIRD heat mat I’ve bought in like one month... would really like for it to be the last one!!!

You mention you placed the new Fluker's 11 x 17 heat mat INSIDE your Exo Terra, on the floor, and underneath the carpet. The heat mat needs to "breathe" in order to function properly and be fire-safe. Even when heat mats are used inside wooden or melamine enclosures, they should be elevated off the ground by one or more methods.

• For 60a click: Heating Melamine & Wooden Enclosures: Hilde, mecoat, acpart, JIMI & 60b (post 117) -- continues with JIMI’s leopard gecko Theseus’ enclosure
• For 117 (& 60a) click: Placement of UTHs & Heat Cables Inside Melamine & Wooden Leo Enclosures

Settle with an 11 x 11 inch Flukers heat mat or Zoo Med heat cables. Zoo Med's heat cables can be configured to meet any need.

Please share the exact depth of your Exo Terra. Is it actually less than 18 inches deep?

 

[Jadel]

The exo terra inside is 18 for sure, but underneath there is a stand that it’s mounted on that can’t be moved or changed that eats up a few inches. I should have measured before I bought it, totally my fault.

The new mat delivers tomorrow and I’ll get it put on ASAP. Temperatures in the tank have been OK but I’ve noticed a lot of climbing which is a bad sign. The mat would fit lengthwise under the tank but wouldn’t give a good gradient.

I’ll do heat tape in the future but I am DONE buying heating for the next few months.... lol.
Next project once I get this straightened out will be figuring out how to keep crickets so just 1 step at a time...

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

The exo terra inside is 18 for sure, but underneath there is a stand that it’s mounted on that can’t be moved or changed that eats up a few inches. I should have measured before I bought it, totally my fault.

The new mat delivers tomorrow and I’ll get it put on ASAP. Temperatures in the tank have been OK but I’ve noticed a lot of climbing which is a bad sign. The mat would fit lengthwise under the tank but wouldn’t give a good gradient.

I’ll do heat tape in the future but I am DONE buying heating for the next few months.... lol.
Next project once I get this straightened out will be figuring out how to keep crickets so just 1 step at a time...

I'm quite sorry, Jade. Thanks sooooo much!

I'm glad you bought the Jump Start thermostat.

I've recommended the 11 x 17 inch heat mat several times before for an Exo Terra 24 x 18 x 12 inches high. You're the only person to share feedback that there's inadequate space underneath.

Please share the exact depth of your Exo Terra from underneath -- the depth of the glass that would allow a heat mat to fit snugly against the Exo Terra's base. While you're at it, what is the underside's glass length?

 

[Jadel]

Sure, I will measure it out when I switch it with the 11 x 11 tonight. Like I said, it will fit if you put the pad on lengthwise (17” to the 24” side not 18”), so perhaps that is what other people did? It was literally like maybe an inch too small, another option people may have done is cut the laminate plastic on the 11 x 17, which may be OK but I’d rather not tamper with something like that since, you know, fire. I did panic when it didn’t fit and did NOT try to force slide it under the stand, which I will attempt tonight before going with the 11 x 11, maybe I don’t even have a problem

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

Sure, I will measure it out when I switch it with the 11 x 11 tonight. Like I said, it will fit if you put the pad on lengthwise (17” to the 24” side not 18”), so perhaps that is what other people did? It was literally like maybe an inch too small, another option people may have done is cut the laminate plastic on the 11 x 17, which may be OK but I’d rather not tamper with something like that since, you know, fire. I did panic when it didn’t fit and did NOT try to force slide it under the stand, which I will attempt tonight before going with the 11 x 11, maybe I don’t even have a problem

Thanks! Let us know what happens.

 

[Jadel]

I forced the 17" under the stand - muscled it more than I would have liked, but it was easy. The stand actually holds it in place so well that I don't need tape (although I put some on for good measure). Felt like a real moron when I was done, but hey, I promised an update! I'll make a great mother..............

The bottom of the tank measures something like 16.5" x 22.5" after the stand eats up the room. Ish. I was using tape at an awkward angle but you get the idea

So, bottom line is - I panicked & overreacted, threw more money and research a it and wasted a lot of time. On the bright-side, though, Jeffree has a much more adequate heat mat & this whole ordeal forced me to keep a spare on hand for emergencies. So I guess it wasn't that big of a waste?

Pictures attached (as well as a picture of my lovely assistant...).

 

[Elizabeth Freer]

I forced the 17" under the stand - muscled it more than I would have liked, but it was easy. The stand actually holds it in place so well that I don't need tape (although I put some on for good measure). Felt like a real moron when I was done, but hey, I promised an update! I'll make a great mother..............

The bottom of the tank measures something like 16.5" x 22.5" after the stand eats up the room. Ish. I was using tape at an awkward angle but you get the idea

So, bottom line is - I panicked & overreacted, threw more money and research a it and wasted a lot of time. On the bright-side, though, Jeffree has a much more adequate heat mat & this whole ordeal forced me to keep a spare on hand for emergencies. So I guess it wasn't that big of a waste?

Pictures attached (as well as a picture of my lovely assistant...).
View attachment 45858View attachment 45859View attachment 45860View attachment 45861

:idea:: You'll make an excellent mom for Jeffree! Moms need perserverance to see them through challenging times. You've definitely proven you've got what it takes!

Many thanks for your feedback that an 11 x 17 inch Fluker's heat mat actually does work for the Exo Terra's "24" x "18" base. I may link your post just in case anyone else thinks differently.