Best way to heat?

[flybyferns]

Right now, I have a UTH for a 10 gallon on the side of the RETF tank. It is sufficient with the warm temps we've had, and I've even had to turn it off some days. During the fall, before the heat is turned on, the house can drop to 60 degrees at night. What would be the best way to heat? Is a UTH good? Then what size though? They are in a 20H currently. What kind of thermostat works best? I'm assuming with the up and down weather we get, I'll need one of those.

There is definitely an advantage of them being in that size tank.
They can't be 60 at night
I use exo terra heat cables - on timers.

The timers are changed with the temps in my basement and in the tanks over the winter.

If you should decide you need something like this, use EXTREME caution.
As you know, they need to be monitored very carefully.

It doesn't look pretty ...........but you might consider insulating the tank(s).
I hang those thick moving blankets behind the tanks.
I guess any extra insulating would help.

[LilyPad]

Don't worry Lynn, I would not even let my greys get that cold, definitely won't let the reds get anywhere near that. I got the CHE in the mail today but not the thermostat. I put it on anyway and will keep an eye on the temps all night to make sure it doesn't overheat. So far it seems to be working perfectly. I will insulate at least behind the tank. The wall they are next to is plaster and gets quite cold in the winter, so insulating the back of it will keep it from chilling too much I think, very good idea!

[Lija]

I got thinking here... I wonder if it possible to plug a room space heater into controller and what controller can work with it....

Amy the best controller for the price you can get is hydrotherm by zoomed, it controls humidity too. Love that thing, i think it is around 50$ on amazon.

[LilyPad]

I will not put a space heater in because it is where I sleep, I don't like it warm to the level the tree frogs need in there. I ordered the cheaper of the thermostats that Paul recommended and the 60 watt CHE. The CHE worked really well last night and I hand mist so I control the humidity myself. The thermostat should be here today, was supposed to be here yesterday. If it doesn't work well, I'll have to spend the extra money later. In winter, as the heat comes on, that room is pretty warm and stable.

[DigitalPunk]

Lija,

The space heater I have has a thermostat built into it Lija

[LilyPad]

Just one more question...the dome gets really really hot (it is porcelain) Would a wire clamp lamp be better? Or would the heat not direct properly then?

[Lija]

Never thought about that, i just use domes, wire lamps looks like big fire and burn hazard to me

[LilyPad]

Ill stick with it then, thanks Lija

[DigitalPunk]

Dont want to use a dome with a CHE. The dome will get super hot. The wire lamp keeps things from touching it to easy, but also keeps the CHE from burning itself out to quickly. Have had my CHE in a wire dome for a year with no issues.

The main thing is the ceramic base to the dome you choose.

[Lija]

Paul, can you pls elaborate on that, i have them all in domes.

[LilyPad]

I got the 60 watt you linked me to and am using it in a porcelain based dome that I've had for many years. I read on the product page that it's supposed to be used with a wire lamp, so I was unsure. Still didn't get the thermostat yet today.

[Lija]

Lija,

The space heater I have has a thermostat built into it Lija

lol are you saying i should go look if i have build in mine too! Lol just like that big flow control thingy on my filter.... Oh boy lol

[DigitalPunk]

LoL. Take a pic and send it to me lol

[DigitalPunk]

I got the 60 watt you linked me to and am using it in a porcelain based dome that I've had for many years. I read on the product page that it's supposed to be used with a wire lamp, so I was unsure. Still didn't get the thermostat yet today.

Ugh lame. Hopefully it arrives soon. Going to be a chilly weekend. I bumped up the temp in the frog room at lights out a bit. Not sure how much the cool air will affect the room, its the first winter with the frogs in the Frogment. Only raised it a couple degrees so we will see

[PurpleHooligan]

Right now, I have a UTH for a 10 gallon on the side of the RETF tank. It is sufficient with the warm temps we've had, and I've even had to turn it off some days. During the fall, before the heat is turned on, the house can drop to 60 degrees at night. What would be the best way to heat? Is a UTH good? Then what size though? They are in a 20H currently. What kind of thermostat works best? I'm assuming with the up and down weather we get, I'll need one of those.

I agree with pual on the che as well. Just a side note. Not al ceramic sockets are rated the same. Be sure to get one rated for the wattage of the che. I had one on my beardie way back and didnt know about the rating and when I got home the ceramic was cracked in half. It wasnt till a join a beardie forum that they were rated for diffrent wattages so I always get one for more then I need.