A Conducive Environment with a Reptile Under tank heater

Reptile breeding is becoming more than a fad today as more people are indulging in this activity to raise their exotic breed of reptiles. But since reptiles are a special breed, one must be careful in caring for them; and the first step is to ensure a well insulated reptile cage with a quality reptile under tank heater.

Reptiles may be cold-blooded but they still require a certain temperature to keep them healthy and this can be done right from the bottom of their cage by using a reptile under tank heater or from the top using a ceramic conductor or heat lamp. It is a matter of preference as the major factor is ensuring a proper temperature in the reptile cage for their comfort and well being.

Tips for Using a Reptile Under Tank Heater

Many of these reptile under tank heaters that are currently available in today’s market come with a adhesive backing which is great for ensuring a firm hold on the terrariums that are normally glass based. The packaged heating pads usually come with a peel-and-stick piece on the backside which can easily be peeled and stuck at the bottom of the cage before plugging into the electric outlet.  Once the heat is switched on, the heating pad directs the heat up to the glass bottom. This method is commonly known as ‘belly heat’ as the heat comes from under to warm the reptiles on their bellies.

A reptile under tank heater will require a rheostat if the terrarium is made of glass. The rheostat functions like a dimmer which controls the amount of heat output to the glass. Too much heat can crack the terrarium glass tank. This will ensure the safety of the reptiles as well as your tanks.

Always have your reptile under-tank heater and rheostat pluged in together during your first use, dialing the rheostat to its lowest temperature and slowly turning it up as it warms up. Check the temperature inside the cage to determine the ideal temperature for your reptiles. The glass will crack if the temperature is too high or heats up the bottom too much at once, causing it to crack unless you purchase a reptile under-tank heater which is strong enough to take the high heat.

>>Check out our Guide for Building DIY Incubator for Reptiles<<

Alternatives to a Reptile Under Tank Heater

Heat tapes work just as well as heating pads if you have multiple reptile cages as these cater for a long surface run.  This alternative method allows a few reptile cages to be heated simultaneously which is favored by most reptile breeders.

However, many prefer the heating lamps over the reptile under tank heaters. Using heating tapes or pads is easier maintenance with bulb replacements at a much lower cost. Heating lamps will heat the reptile cage from the top as with the sun. This is the main reason for many reptile breeders to choose the heating lamps over the reptile under tank heaters, if the proper temperature is achieved and maintained. A colder climate may require both the under tank heaters and a heating lamp to maintain the proper aquarium temperature.

>>Continued Reading: Selecting Reptile Mats<<