Heating Problems

[Cp3_Pythons]

Ok im having problems heating a tank. Im using a under the tank heaters and a thermostat to run them. My problem is the heating pad isnt heating the tank. It comes on and heats up some But the temps are no where, where there spose to be Heres the setup
20 gallon tanks (set up as a rack instead of tubs there's 20 gal tanks)
I have the heating mat under one side of the tank (The heating mat is on the side where the Hide box is the Hide box sits ontop of part of the heat mat ) and the water dish on the other
I was thinking of getting the next size up from the ones I have now But the ones Im using are for 10-20 gallon tanks
I have the probe for the thermostat about 1 inch(maybe half an inch) above the heat mat

Any Ideas suggestions?

 

[morph evolution]

hey clarence,any pics of set up would help greatly

 

[hhmoore]

Undertank heaters will not heat up the tank, in most cases. They are designed to create a warm/hot spot. The thermostat shuts down the UTH when it reaches a set temperature at the probe, and that adds to the problem you are experiencing. (I am not advising you to not use a thermostat, just saying your set up is a good part of the problem.)
Racks with tubs will produce more desirable temperature ranges, simply because there is less air volume to heat for a given amount of floor space, and they are less open, so the warmth doesn't dissipate the way it does with an open topped tank.

 

[hhmoore]

There are ways to make tanks work; but, if you are hoping to heat them solely by UTH, you're probably asking too much of your current equipment.
If you can provide details - room temp, dimensions of UTH, temperatures on the warm + cold side of the tanks, actual temp of the UTH, type and depth of substrate, etc - we might be able to give you a few pointers.

 

[AdamR]

I agree. I have several 20g tanks and I found it impossible to heat the with only a UTH no matter what size it is. One lamp should do it for you!!

 

[Cp3_Pythons]

There are ways to make tanks work; but, if you are hoping to heat them solely by UTH, you're probably asking too much of your current equipment.
If you can provide details - room temp, dimensions of UTH, temperatures on the warm + cold side of the tanks, actual temp of the UTH, type and depth of substrate, etc - we might be able to give you a few pointers.

I cant find my camera to show pics (think of a custom melamine bookcase holding 20 gallon tanks)

The room temp is about 70 +/- a few Its the T-Rex Cobra heating mat
(6" x 11") (I was told that with this Heating mat I wouldn't need to have a thermostat but I got one anyway)
The warm side finally starting heating up after all day yesterday its reading 82 degrees on another thermometer I have inside to check tempratures ( I have an AcuRite thermometer running inside of the tanks sitting right next to the thermostat probe and the thermometer is sitting ontop of the cold side outside the tank and reading 77. Substrate is newspaper.
I have the water dish on the cool side and the hide on the other side.
All tanks are set up EXACTLY the same. I have a towel ontop of the tanks folded in half so only a slim part of the screen lid is showing. I have about a quater inch gap from the top of the tank to the next shelf holding the next tank.

I personally prefer the lights as the main source of heat But I was told this was easier and more cost effective. I do plan on purchasing a rack in the near future ( complete set up heating thermostat etc) so I can just plug it in and let the temps become stable. But for now I have to get this to work.
Even if I have to raise the shelves up some and go and get new lights as I traded all of the ones I did have for the Heating mats then bought the thermostat to run them....

I belive this is about everything If you need to know anything else Ask.... I hope this helps you help me

 

[gsrept]

I would agree with Harold you can not heat a tank with the UTH that is to create a hotspot for themal regulation you will have to heat with another means and you did the right thing with the t-stat you always need a t-stat or rheo stat on a heat pad or tape prevents them from running out of control.

 

[Cp3_Pythons]

I got the Thermostat because I dont want to wake up and find my Bps burnt Better safe than Sorry.... So should/would it be just as effective to just use the lights With no heating mat or use both of them together?

 

[Cp3_Pythons]

I got the Thermostat because I dont want to wake up and find my Bps burnt Better safe than Sorry.... So should/would it be just as effective to just use the lights With no heating mat or use both of them together?

Before I starting using the heat mats the lights kept the tank at the temps needed But alot of people told me using belly heat was the best thing/way to go with BP's

 

[gsrept]

yes, belly heat works for digestion and thermal regulation but you need to raise the backround temp up to mid 80's with a hot spot at around 89-90 thats where the heat pad comes in.

 

[Cp3_Pythons]

So basicly put the lights back on the tank and run them with the heat mats?

 

[gsrept]

if thats what it takes to give it the proper heat i would do that i would also put it on cypress mulch the news paper is going to make it to dry

 

[gsrept]

you could also try covering the tank partially to hold heat and humidity in

 

[Cp3_Pythons]

The tank is coverd with only a VERY slim section of the lid showing ( its almost nothing showing @ all) inside of the hides I have Sphagnum Moss and its staying moist and the hide sits ontop of a peice of the heat mat

 

[gsrept]

sounds fine just make sure it stays in 80s or you could end up withRI problems. let me know how you make out. good luck