Posted by Rigelus on April 25, 2003 at 00:22:17:
In Reply to: Re: Heat Sources posted by Rigelus on April 24, 2003 at 01:17:34:
::I'm trying a heat pad on my large critter keeper, but I'm so far dissapointed. It is an under tank heater which covers nearly 1/2 the bottom of the outside of the keeper, and it does get mighty warm, but it takes a while to warm the tank, and it only warms it by a few degrees. The directions suggested 1 to 1.5 inches of substrate for maximum effectiveness, which I have. This is with the upper screen by cling wrap also. I notice at night, the room temperature dips to bout 60F, and the cage temp is 68ish, too cold.
::So I've thought bout getting a bulb heater and placing it on a timer. What have you tried with good results? What works for you? I have gotten humidity control down pat, but consistent temperature control seems to elude me...
:I'm not sure what type of heat mat you have but many of them work the same as radiators ie, they heat up on both sides. So if your heat mat is this type it'd be a good idea to fix a piece of polyurethane behind the mat so that you channel the heat out into the tank. I use 10mm polyurethane sheeting to cover the inside of the tank that the heat mat is on. With a 15 liter tank i get 2-2½ degrees Celsius more by having the insulation behind my 4 watt mats. If your tank is on show and you think that having bright white polyurethane in it would spoil the look you could allways cut the poly to shape and then camouflage it with hessian, womens tights or any other such thing. You could then fix twigs and leaves to it and make this back wall a feature in it's own right. Experiment with the placement of poly and you'll find you can get a good CONSTANT heat without having to buy the more expensive higher wattage mats and bulbs.
I meant "POLYSTYRENE" not polyurethane....................
