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Thread: Heating Advice?

  1. #1
    HerpDerp
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    Default Heating Advice?

    I have been having the most frustrating problems with the temperature in my enclosure! I have a 10 gallon tank with an UTH on the side rated for a 10-20 gallon tank. The temp only stays around 75 at best with it like that. I had tried an incandescent bulb, which raised the temp another couple degrees but kept the humidity low all the time. I had the hardest time getting it above 60%. So I'm at a point where I'm thinking of getting another UTH. Hypnotoad does not seem to have much of an appetite and isn't looking as round as he should and I really think it's due to the insufficient heating. So my question is, is another UTH a good idea? And should I get a mini (1-5) or another small (10-20)? I was also considering putting it on the bottom of the tank (I know you're not supposed to!) because when I first got my frog that's where I had the heater (uneducated at the time) and the temp and humidity was perfect like that. So I was considering getting a mini and putting a plant over it so he can't burrow down to where the heater is. Or maybe even create some sort of barrier around it so he can't burrow to where it is?

    On a side note about his appetite, I have been trying to not feed him crickets so I've been going with worms and Dubia but maybe he's not a fan of them? So I bought more crickets today and will feed him that tonight. I just want him to be healthy.

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  3. #2
    Moderator GrifTheGreat's Avatar
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    Default Re: Heating Advice?

    Quote Originally Posted by HerpDerp View Post
    I have been having the most frustrating problems with the temperature in my enclosure! I have a 10 gallon tank with an UTH on the side rated for a 10-20 gallon tank. The temp only stays around 75 at best with it like that. I had tried an incandescent bulb, which raised the temp another couple degrees but kept the humidity low all the time. I had the hardest time getting it above 60%. So I'm at a point where I'm thinking of getting another UTH. Hypnotoad does not seem to have much of an appetite and isn't looking as round as he should and I really think it's due to the insufficient heating. So my question is, is another UTH a good idea? And should I get a mini (1-5) or another small (10-20)? I was also considering putting it on the bottom of the tank (I know you're not supposed to!) because when I first got my frog that's where I had the heater (uneducated at the time) and the temp and humidity was perfect like that. So I was considering getting a mini and putting a plant over it so he can't burrow down to where the heater is. Or maybe even create some sort of barrier around it so he can't burrow to where it is?

    On a side note about his appetite, I have been trying to not feed him crickets so I've been going with worms and Dubia but maybe he's not a fan of them? So I bought more crickets today and will feed him that tonight. I just want him to be healthy.
    You can buy another UTH the same size as the one you, but DO NOT place it on the bottom. put it on the back or front if the tank on the same end as your original UTH. Also I'm not sure why your Incandescent bulb didn't do the trick. did you buy a 50 watt? What lamp are you using and what type of bulb? Do you have hour screen top covered 3/4 of the way with Satan wrap?


  4. #3
    HerpDerp
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    Default Re: Heating Advice?

    I have a fish tank hood that I was using the light in. It was just a 40 watt fish tank bulb. The hood only has a few big holes in back that I cover with a strip of fabric (part of an old t-shirt). There is plenty of air circulation that way and it keeps the heat in for the most part. When it was colder outside and I was running the heat the temp was okay but now that it's warmer out I'm not running the heat inside so the temp isn't consistent which means the tank's temp isn't consistent. But it seems like even with the bulb the best temp I can get is 75 and then the humidity drops like a rock. When I was using the bulb I was misting 5 or 6 times a day and still only getting the humidity up to 70 for short periods of time. But once I stopped with the bulb the humidity says between 60 and 80% and I only have to mist 3 times a day.

    Sorry if I'm rambling, he just hasn't been acting like the happiest frog so I want to make sure I get this temp thing sorted out. I'm thinking another UTH is a good idea. When it gets warmer this summer I can always unplug the second one. You think I should get another 10-20 instead of a 1-5? I just don't want it to OVER do it at that point (just my luck). Thanks so much for the advice! I don't know what I would do without this forum.

    Also, continuing that side note, I fed him some large crickets and he gobbled two right up! That's the biggest thing he's ever eaten!

  5. #4
    Moderator GrifTheGreat's Avatar
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    Default Re: Heating Advice?

    Quote Originally Posted by HerpDerp View Post
    I have a fish tank hood that I was using the light in. It was just a 40 watt fish tank bulb. The hood only has a few big holes in back that I cover with a strip of fabric (part of an old t-shirt). There is plenty of air circulation that way and it keeps the heat in for the most part. When it was colder outside and I was running the heat the temp was okay but now that it's warmer out I'm not running the heat inside so the temp isn't consistent which means the tank's temp isn't consistent. But it seems like even with the bulb the best temp I can get is 75 and then the humidity drops like a rock. When I was using the bulb I was misting 5 or 6 times a day and still only getting the humidity up to 70 for short periods of time. But once I stopped with the bulb the humidity says between 60 and 80% and I only have to mist 3 times a day.

    Sorry if I'm rambling, he just hasn't been acting like the happiest frog so I want to make sure I get this temp thing sorted out. I'm thinking another UTH is a good idea. When it gets warmer this summer I can always unplug the second one. You think I should get another 10-20 instead of a 1-5? I just don't want it to OVER do it at that point (just my luck). Thanks so much for the advice! I don't know what I would do without this forum.

    Also, continuing that side note, I fed him some large crickets and he gobbled two right up! That's the biggest thing he's ever eaten!
    Humidity is always an issue when the temp is rising. Get A UTH that's for a 10 to 20 gallon again. Just as long as there is a warm and cool side you should be fine. Make sure to keep his water dish full and clean daily. If he gets too warm ( which I don't believe will happen) he will have a place to cool down. The reason the bulb didn't work is because its not meant to be used as a basking light. When you need warmer temps it is best to have a lamp over a metal screen top with a basking bulb that points the heat directly down into the enclosure. I cover my tanks 3/4 of the way with Satan wrap and have the lamp directly over the center of the enclosure with a UTH on the side. Your lamp should have a dimmer so you can adjust the amount of light and heat accurately. This is what I use and temps stay up. Even humidity remains high because I don't have the light dialed up really high. Of course its warmer here, but it will work for you as well.


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