heating multiple tubs.

[Brooklynella]

I've always been a glass tank kind of guy but am considering picking up two clear tubs. One for my 3' Dum and one for my snow corn.
Right now, I am using 2 20g longs side by side under a 125g turtle tank (The other bottom half is for my Ball Python) so I have a 33"x30" area to use (I want to double stack the tubs). I figure I can get more surface area by switching to tubs because the next step for the Dum would ba a 30g and it won't fit. Plus, a 30 is a shorter term solution to my housing problem).
In the summer, heat is no problem; Dum's tank stays 85-90. Winter requires a ceramic bulb and UTH to keep temps at 80 MAX.
People keep claiming plastic tubs are easier to heat and hold heat better than a glass tank but I find it difficult to believe a UTH will keep the tubs at 80 min all the time with no ceramic heat bulb. Basically what i'm saying is I would be losing the ability to heat with the heat bulbs if I switch to tubs, so i'm confused.
I would have to remove the top tub to access the bottom tub and the UTH would have to be unplugged every time I did this so that's another problem.
I want to like tubs but can't see how they will work better than my glass tanks.

 

[Louie]

In NY I heated tank and plastic enclosures with over head bulb. The plastic enclosures had screen tops .

They required 1/2 if even same watts as same size glass tanks to get same temps. They truly held heat great .

As far as UTH go I found they also heated better but just like glass tank neither heated air temp thus plastic or not the UTH in a cool room were no good as far as heating air.
I even covered most of screen with plexi sheet and again UTH was useless as far as heating air.

"I find it difficult to believe a UTH will keep the tubs at 80 min all the time "

I was not able to keep air temp at 80 in the plastic cages without over head incandescent bulb (room temp in winter was high 60s) . The UTH was not enough. Again only difference was only needed 1/2 if even watts of glass tank.

People who stack them and use UTH heat seem to have them in rooms with a mid 70 temp to begin with thus the UTH is sinply the warm area .

 

[Brooklynella]

Because the tubs would need to be stacked, I can't use a heat bulb on each Tub. I only have enough height for 2 11.5" tall tubs so this is a problem.

 

[Louie]

Whats the temp in room your going to keep the tubs in?

If its mid 70s than UTH is great I liked Cobra brand but if to cool the UTH will only heat the immediate area and not heat the air at all.

When I placed thermometer on the bottom of plastic cage it was mid 80s when I placed therm only 3 inches above the UTH it was same exact temp as room (68 degrees).

For Corn which I have seen in area even at 65 degrees scouting around I would think even if cool an immediate warm area with hide box right over it would suffice but not for Dum which I imagine is Dumeril boa?

 

[Brooklynella]

Whats the temp in room your going to keep the tubs in?

If its mid 70s than UTH is great I liked Cobra brand but if to cool the UTH will only heat the immediate area and not heat the air at all.

When I placed thermometer on the bottom of plastic cage it was mid 80s when I placed therm only 3 inches above the UTH it was same exact temp as room (68 degrees).

For Corn which I have seen in area even at 65 degrees scouting around I would think even if cool an immediate warm area with hide box right over it would suffice but not for Dum which I imagine is Dumeril boa?

Yes, Dumeril's Boa. I unscrewed his heat light and checked temp a few hours later. 71 degrees. No good. Needs to be higher.
I can't see getting away from a heat lamp. Not sure how some of you are getting away without using one.

 

[CTU2fan]

Something you could try...not sure how you're stacking them now but if you had the dum on the bottom you could use a UTH, I'd expect you'd get a nice warm temp for your dum and a bit cooler for the corn, which would be good anyway.

Also are they sitting flat on the floor, or is there open air passing under them? Putting a layer of foam or some other insulating material will help a lot; you lose a lot of heat if there's any opening under the UTH.

 

[Brooklynella]

Something you could try...not sure how you're stacking them now but if you had the dum on the bottom you could use a UTH, I'd expect you'd get a nice warm temp for your dum and a bit cooler for the corn, which would be good anyway.

Also are they sitting flat on the floor, or is there open air passing under them? Putting a layer of foam or some other insulating material will help a lot; you lose a lot of heat if there's any opening under the UTH.

Yeah, I thought of this too. They are sitting on the bottom of a 125g iron stand. I can easily put some insulation under the tanks.

 

[CTU2fan]

Yeah, I thought of this too. They are sitting on the bottom of a 125g iron stand. I can easily put some insulation under the tanks.

That's what I was thinking...and yes, a layer of styro or some such foam should help you out a lot.

What kind of UTH are you using? I like the Cobra mats much better than the ones that you have to actually stick to the bottom of the enclosure.

 

[Brooklynella]

That's what I was thinking...and yes, a layer of styro or some such foam should help you out a lot.

What kind of UTH are you using? I like the Cobra mats much better than the ones that you have to actually stick to the bottom of the enclosure.

I think i'm using garden variety Zoo Med UTH's.

 

[Louie]

That's what I was thinking...and yes, a layer of styro or some such foam should help you out a lot.

What kind of UTH are you using? I like the Cobra mats much better than the ones that you have to actually stick to the bottom of the enclosure.

I have blinding hate for Zoo med UTH but do like their other products and use them.

The UTH pads I have used as at one time had 3 of their pads would heat up to insanely hot temps (one cracked my tank bottom) than they would shut off and the snakes would have no warm spot for awhile.

Than BOOM they went back on to insane temps. With a Rheo the temps did not go as high but they still shut off.

COBRA UTH even w/o a Rheo runs steady warm and good temp. I no longer use any heat but when I used them stuck them on with scotch tape.