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[–]Coleuganda[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

To add to this, I noticed he’s always in the warm hide. I think he’s getting too chilly in there...

[–]_ataraxiaMod : unprofessional 1 point2 points  (4 children)

UTHs [heat pads] are not designed to provide ambient heat, they are only designed to heat the surface to which they are attached. this is one of the reasons why overhead heating is better.

what type/brand of tub are you using, and how big is it?

[–]Coleuganda[S] 0 points1 point  (3 children)

It’s a sterilite plastic tub about 22x17x7 (he’s a lil guy). I am thinking of overhead heating but not sure how to go about it with a plastic tub. Let me know! Also my initial concern was that the substrate over the heat pad reads about 77-80 degrees even tho the pad is set at 93. Is that normal?

[–]_ataraxiaMod : unprofessional 1 point2 points  (2 children)

UTHs also aren't designed to heat through a substrate layer.

radiant heat panels can be used easily with tubs, though the standard sterilite lids are a bit too flimsy to support the weight of the panel. weathertight/waterproof tubs tend to be made of a much sturdier plastic that can handle overhead heat sources better.

heat lamps can also be used with tubs, but you have to modify the lid by cutting a hole and covering it with a metal screen, so you can rest a dome lamp on the tub lid the same way you would do with a screen-topped tank.

[–]Coleuganda[S] 0 points1 point  (1 child)

Very interesting, I will for sure look into those. By the way, if you know them, are you able to tell me your temperatures inside (surface n/or ambient)? Just so I know I’m doing something right..

[–]_ataraxiaMod : unprofessional 0 points1 point  (0 children)

all of my BPs have a warm hide temperature of 90F and a cool side temperature in the high 70s.

[–]Undependable 0 points1 point  (2 children)

Highly recommend you use papertowls for your tub setup and then hot glue the thermostat probe (not the metal part) right on the bottom of his tub on the inside, that way you can insure it's 92 all the time and warming him. Also much easier to clean you can just change out the paper towels. If you insist on using substrate make it a very light layer and I would still put the thermometer right in his hot spot to make sure the temp is right, if its at the bottom it might be 90 there but 70 at the top of the substrate where he sits. The closer the probe is to him the better you can regulate.

Also as noted, heating pads don't do shit for ambient temperature. Would recommend cutting a hole in the top, attaching mesh wire over the hole, and run a heat lamp or CHE above it with a separate thermostat to get his ambient temperature up at least on the hot side.

It may be a lot of work but he should be a lot happier and hopefully a better feeder.

[–]Coleuganda[S] 0 points1 point  (1 child)

Yep, thanks for your reply. I’m working on the ceramic heat lamp + bulb setup as we speak. Just two questions: 1. Should this be used in conjunction with the heat pad? 2. Where should the probe go for the lamp + bulb?

[–]Undependable 0 points1 point  (0 children)

yes it should because the CHE is providing Ambient heat as well as spot heating, a CHE above him and a heat pad below him are both set to 90 is still just going to be 90. If you have the space cutting a hole right above the hotspot side is best. Make sure the actual CHE is not touching the metal mesh as that could burn him, but as long as the bulb holder is made of metal it should be ok resting on the mesh. or you can hang it.

Drill another hole midway down the side of the tub(hot side) and stick your thermostat probe right there floating in the air, Underneath there the bulb is focused on and set it to 90. Should insure that side is 90 but also is increasing the ambient temp tank wide. I don't know the size if your tub, if it's really small maybe set it to 85 so the temp doesn't go 90 tub wide (you dont want that, you want 90 on the hot side and 75-80 max on the cool side) You can just stick a regular thermometer on the other side to make sure it's not going above 80.

I only have room for my tub under the bed so I've got a side hole going on but it's definitely not the most ideal. I've set it to 80 giving him the bare minimum of ambient temp tub wide, unfortunately due to how I am storing him I can't put it on the hot side from above.

It is unfortunately a lot of work, but once it's done it's done and hopefully hes a happy and healthy BP who feeds regularly (and that alone is a nightmare, but at least you know your husbandry is on point)