Heating (up) a small exo terra for my new pacman

[Manwell]

He won't burn my heat mat is already attached to a thermostat which shuts the heat mat off at 30 degrees, most people here in the UK heat and successfully maintain pacmen in this way

[Bedore]

He won't burn my heat mat is already attached to a thermostat which shuts the heat mat off at 30 degrees, most people here in the UK heat and successfully maintain pacmen in this way

Even if it's attached to a thermostat the probe has been placed above the substrate. So the heat mat will get very, very hot to regulate temperatures at the probe since the probe is above the substrate and not near the heat mat. Once the frog decides to burrow he will burrow onto the hot glass and could burn himself. This is not really the correct way to heat a pacman enclosure and I doubt many on this forum will disagree with me but if this is the setup you want to run then so be it. I hate to come off as being preachy about pacman care, but this is one area where there is very little debate on whether its OK or not. But as I said, I don't want to sound too preachy so I just hope it works out ok.

[Manwell]

this is from another thread (on this forum) "Hi Im in the UK too , heat mat at bottom is fine. I have been doing this over a year . As long as you use thermo to keep temps set You are fine. On another UK forum there are peeps saying They cannot get temps with heat mat on side, and frogs move around. As long as you are checking frog wont get harmed. Temps should be 80-85 day 76-79 night as a guidline. Having mat on the side wont get this in the UK . I even have to use a ceramic heat bulb on top of mesh of exo terra he is in, or my temps are under 80"

[Bedore]

this is from another thread (on this forum) "Hi Im in the UK too , heat mat at bottom is fine. I have been doing this over a year . As long as you use thermo to keep temps set You are fine. On another UK forum there are peeps saying They cannot get temps with heat mat on side, and frogs move around. As long as you are checking frog wont get harmed. Temps should be 80-85 day 76-79 night as a guidline. Having mat on the side wont get this in the UK . I even have to use a ceramic heat bulb on top of mesh of exo terra he is in, or my temps are under 80"

There are also many posts on this forum advising against placing a heating pad under the tank. The general consensus is that you shouldn't do it, but if that is what works for you than go for it. I however will not do it and I don't recommend this method for anyone else. We all want to provide proper husbandry for our amphibian friends and there are many ways of going about it. I chose to put my mat on the side and added a ceramic heat emitter and it worked out great, as it does for many others and it would work out great for your setup as well I do believe. Why risk it? But in the end the decision is yours. I do agree and I even found out myself that only placing a small heat pad on my tank did not get the temperatures where they need to be and considering the climate here (which is very cold) I had to add a ceramic heat emitter hooked into a thermostat and it regulates temperatures with no problem. Of course YMMV.

[GrifTheGreat]

He won't burn my heat mat is already attached to a thermostat which shuts the heat mat off at 30 degrees, most people here in the UK heat and successfully maintain pacmen in this way

You do realize that the heat pad has to still become hot enough to push the heat through the substrate and THEN begin to warm the ambient air within the enclosure where the probe for the thermostat is located. How often do you uncover the area where the heat pad is located and test the glass temp?? My guess is never.

You do not place a heat source under the tank for burrowing frogs. Not only can they be overheated if they burrow over it, but the heat pad can actually crack the glass from getting too hot. Just because one person assumes it is fine does not mean that it is. To ignore experienced keepers in favor of a less experienced person who's ideals support yours is not a smart idea.

People in the northern US with much lower temps than where you live manage to maintain proper climate without placing the heat pad on the bottom. Place the heat pad on the side and get a low watt infrared heat bulb with a lamp that has a dimmer switch to maintain the climate. It can also help to raise the ambient air temp in the roo where the frog is kept to help maintain the climate.

[Manwell]

You deleted my last comment but in short I said (and I'll say it again) I think you're very rude; I have 3 probes one of which is UNDER the substrate and fyi I check him every 15/20 mins at the moment

DO NOT make assumptions you may one day be very surprised who you are talking to

[GrifTheGreat]

You deleted my last comment but in short I said (and I'll say it again) I think you're very rude; I have 3 probes one of which is UNDER the substrate and fyi I check him every 15/20 mins at the moment

DO NOT make assumptions you may one day be very surprised who you are talking to

If I deleted your comment it would say I did. Don't accuse a moderator of deleting one of your comments for no reason. I'm sorry you feel that comment was rude, but I am honestly trying to help take it or leave it. When someone makes a valid point and you get mad then you must not really want help. You seem to be looking for validation. If my experience means nothing to you then by all means disregard anything I say and do what you like. I don't believe in sugar coating the truth. I DO know what I'm talking about. I care for 30 frogs everyday. How many do you care for?