hi, reptile fans! i’m ashley from zoo med, and today i’mgoing to show you how to properly set up zoo med’s reptitherm under tank heater. under tank heaters can be a great way to provide24-hour primary or secondary heat to a variety of dry area reptiles and other small pets.
best bedding for ball python snakes, the distinctive flat and adhesive design ofthe under tank heater allows for easy placement on your pet’s terrarium. it can also be adhered to the underside ofthe habitat to provide beneficial belly heat. however, being a heating device, you’ll
want to be extra careful when setting it upfor your pet in order to get the best, and safest, results. first establish the size under tank heaterthat will work best for your habitat. reptitherm under tank heaters come in a varietyof sizes to choose from. once you have the appropriate sized heater,determine whether you are going to mount the heater on the side or the bottom of your pet’stank. be mindful of the location of the cord, andthat the glass surface is clean before applying to ensure that it sticks properly. to apply it, simply remove the protectivecover from the sticky side of the under tank
heater and press it completely onto the flatsurface of glass, making sure to smooth out air bubbles. when mounting it on the bottom of the habitat,do not place the tank on carpet, fabric, towels, plastic, or other heat sensitive materials. apply the included rubber feet to the cornersof your pet’s habitat to help avoid heat encapsulation by allowing space for air-circulationunderneath the tank. for large tanks or those with specializedframes, it is recommended to place the tank on an opened top terrarium stand. choice of substrate and the amount used isalso important when setting up an under tank
heater. heavy substrates, such as sand, should beno deeper than an inch and a half to avoid heat encapsulation. if you need to use a deeper substrate layer,mount the under tank heater on the side of your tank. when using lightweight substrates, such assnake bedding, it is recommended to use a layer of eco carpet under your substrate toprevent burrowing animals from resting directly on the hot glass. substrates such as newspaper, paper towels,crushed walnut, and corncob bedding should
be avoided. finally, be mindful of where other objectsin the habitat are placed. avoid placing hides, heavy dã©cor, or otherheating devices directly onto or above the under tank heater to again prevent heat encapsulation. food and water dishes should always be placedaway from the under tank heater. remember, when setting up a tank with an undertank heater… be sure to place your reptile tank on a tankstand or other hard surface in a location that does not receive direct sunlight,elevate the tank to provide ventilation to the heater,use an appropriate substrate at the correct
depth,stagger heating elements to ensure a proper thermal gradient,and place food and water dishes, hides, and heavy dã©cor away from the under tank heater. always monitor temperatures in your tank tomake sure they are safe for your pet and that a healthy thermal gradient is established. zoo med’s reptitemp 500r and reptitemp rheostatare great ways to help manage the heating elements in your tank by providing easy methodsof adjusting or automating your devices.
if the heater is only needed for part of theday, a repticare timer can be used to automatically turn the heater on and off.
that’s all for now. stay tuned for more zoo med videos!
