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UTH size confusion

B

Bree

New member
I thought I might need to get a larger UTH for Bunny's new 20L, but I am a bit confused now.

Since a 20L is 30 x 12, a third of the bottom would be 120 square inches (unless my math is off). The UTH on her current home is an 11 x 6 Ultratherm from the Bean Farm, so is only 66 square inches. The next Ultratherm size up is a bit too big - 11 x 17, 187 square inches.

So I looked at the Zoo Med Reptitherms and the one they have marked for 20 gallon tanks is only 6 x 9, 54 square inches, in which case it seems like my 11 x 6 would be fine. In order to get closer to a third of the bottom I would need to get the UTH for 30-40 gallon tanks - 8 X 12, 96 square inches.

So, should I buy a larger UTH even if it is supposed to be used with larger tanks, or just stick with the one I have already? Which is more important... following the tank size recommendations for the heater, or covering a third of the bottom?
 
I'd go with the "cover one-third of the floor" guideline, as that seems pretty standard for Corns. The instructions with the mats themselves are generic, rather than species-specific.

It's not an exact science - as long as there's more unheated floor surface than heated, that should be fine.
 
I am going to disagree with Bitsy. The heat will radiate out from the glass so you will get the 1/3 coverage that you want so you want a smaller heat pad so you only get the 120 square inches that you want.

Both you and Bitsy live in cooler climates than I do so you may need the extra heat to keep the warm side temp up in the winter.

Just me 2 cents Fatman
 
The way I see it, the heated area of one-third the floor, will be at the max temp (as set on the thermostat). Then there will be a small intermediate zone next to the mat (UTHs are designed to heat the surface and not to radiate very much heat), and then a cool unheated zone.

Seems to work for mine, but I doubt either of our ideas would be a problem for the Corn really!
 
Thank you both for your input!

I think I will get the larger ZooMed, since it's still not quite a third of the tank that will give me a little wiggle room with radiated heat along the glass, but will still be large enough to keep a decent sized area up to temp come winter. Thanks!
 
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