Need to warm up my tomatos

[Baloo]

I kept my two tomato frogs in my living room and the thermostat read 73.4F so I thought everything was ideal, and they were doing well. But I tested my therm in hot water yesterday and it didn't move at all. So I tried another I had and it jumped up (in the hot water) to 104.5f. So I put the working therm into the tank and it was 65f. Its early winter and chilly where I live right now. So I'm wondering if I should get a heat lamp with a 50w and keep it on very low so the temp stays around 73-75f.

[Bombina Bob]

Hi Robbie, Ive used heat lamps in the past and i think that they are unnecessary. The frog can and will possibly dry up from the heat. A good and natural way to provide heat is to use a heat mat, it depends on the size of mat for your size of tank. A thermostat can be connected to the heat mat so you don't worry about the temps going too high. They will usually have a sticky side used for the bottom of the terrarium, you can use this on the bottom but its more preferred on the side of the tank. Temps should be around 75 to 80 at the very hottest.

[Baloo]

Problem is I got a heater on it, the 10-20 gallon heater size and its on a 20 gallon. But I'm still getting a max of 65f.

[Mentat]

What kind and wattage of heater do you have?

[Baloo]

Zoo Med 8w

[Mentat]

Although ZooMeds 8W is rated for tanks to 20G; that is when the ambient temperature is not too low and the pad is used under the tank. When it come to using those pads on the side (required) for frog enclosures, you are better off getting the largest pad can fit on a side and then plugging it to a manual rheostat or automatic thermostat. That way you can adjust it's heat output; just make sure the controller is rated for the pad's total watts. Hope this helps and good luck !

[Baloo]

Amazon.com: Zoo Med ReptiTherm® Under Tank Heater, Medium: Pet Supplies So how about this medium one? I'll look at the rheostat cause I heard those are needed. I was looking at some temperature control like Amazon.com: R-Zilla Controller Temperature, 500-watt: Pet Supplies this. How on earth does it maintain the temperature on another device though? Also I found a 5.5" All Living Things heat lamp and it has a max of 75w. I was designing my cabinet for my frogs to accommodate for the 8.5" but since I don't need a 150w bulb I should be fine with the 5.5" right? Also this heater on the side of the tank is ideal for tomato frogs right not pacman? Cause most people have been saying heat lamps for pacman from what I can tell since I got here. I just went out and bought a 5.5" ALT's heat lamp and bulb but I can always return it or use it for a pacman.

[Baloo]

I'm looking for an ideal 'light' emitter for that a rest on top. Is this good? Amazon.com: Zoo Med Mini Deep Dome Lamp Fixture with 5.5-Inch Dome, Black: Pet Supplies actually Carlos if you have a few minutes I got a question or two for you. Mostly around the questions just above this post. I have a carpenter that is building a shelf for 3 exo terra's for me and I want to be sure on the measurements and what I need cause I have different frog inhabitants on each level planned.

[Mentat]

...I was looking at some temperature control like Amazon.com: R-Zilla Controller Temperature, 500-watt: Pet Supplies this. How on earth does it maintain the temperature on another device though?...

That is an automatic thermostat rated for up to 500 watts; but it only has one probe and can be used with one enclosure only.

[Baloo]

Thanks, I'm seeing the other thread now and I'll try those other products.