Adhesive UTHs

[Roseanne]

I have an Exo Terra UTH (specifically this one:http://www.herpsupplies.com/product....091&id=PT-2022) in addition to a lamp, and I still have a hard time keeping my terranium at the ideal temperature (~80 degrees). Does anyone else have similar experiences? Should I use a hotter UTH of the same kind? It would feel sort of strange to use a "desert" UTH for my tropical frog. Are there better UTH's out there?

[John]

This is a tough one to answer. What substrate are you using? If it's too dense or too thick then the heat won't be able to truly heat the terrarium.

[Roseanne]

I use coco husk, but I don't think the substrate is the problem. I've felt the actual heating pad with my hand and while it is warm I don't see how it could heat a whole tank. Maybe I should use a larger heating pad? I was told to get one that covers only half the tank, but if the heating effects are so subtle...

[John]

You don't want to cover the whole of the bottom because it's possible the frog could be overheated and not be able to get to somewhere cooler. What kind of ventilation is on the terrarium? If there's too much, the heat will never be able to build up.

[Roseanne]

The top is just the usual kind of grated metal lids that comes with most tanks, I think. Maybe I should cover half with a towel, or something?