Heat mat size

[ApplestoApples]

What size heat mat should a 29 gallon tank have on it? Also, is a thermostat required, reccomended, or just advised?
Thanks, Luke

 

[katie_]

Depends on the brand.
You'll want one that coveres 1/4 of the tank. Probably a "medium", again depending on the brand.

 

[ApplestoApples]

http://www.amazon.com/Zoo-Med-Repti...d=1348618145&sr=8-4&keywords=reptile+heat+mat Is this a good size/brand?

 

[mudskipper]

That's a good brand. You can get one size bigger than the medium one, too. Large I think? It's better to have one that is too large than too small in case you decide to get thick substrate like ceramic tiles or when your place is very cold in winter. While you're on Amazon, also get the Hydrofarms Thermostat to plug the heat pad in. Set the temperature to 95F and tape the thermostat's probe down to the floor right at the center of the warm hide. The heat pad should be directly underneath where the hide is.

 

[WilliamTheLeopardGecko]

Hey
I have a zoomed but I have 10 gal tank, so a large or medium would be best.

 

[mudskipper]

Hey
I have a zoomed but I have 10 gal tank, so a large or medium would be best.

Large Zoo Med is too big for 10 gallon.

The original poster's tank is 29 gallon so he can have a bigger heat pad than you. The large heat pad would cover like half of your 10 gallon tank!

 

[ApplestoApples]

I got a medium zilla heat mat for 30 to 40 gallons, it seems to be pretty good at keeping the temperature in the low 90's.

 

[WilliamTheLeopardGecko]

Yeah I got a small, I'm saying for Luke it would be best mudskipper.
That's great, you should probably get a thermostat or rheostat to keep the temp good, my dad installed a dimmer switch that also works... My temp is around 91 to 94

 

[Cesar_Da_KIng]

the matt should say for 10-20 gallons if hes in a ten gallon tank any thing bigger and you probably wont get a good gradient and hell overheat.

 

[Ozy]

I have a 20 gallon long with a 30-40 gallon ZooMed heat mat. It covers about a 1/3 of the tank. I had originally gotten the 20 gallon one, but it was WAY too small

 

[Kate C]

I use the 30-40 gallon (Zoo Med) for my 29 gallon tank.

I strongly recommend a thermostat. I use Zoo Med's Thermostat and it works perfectly.

 

[WilliamTheLeopardGecko]

My dad installed a dimmer switch KateC, and it works great but it is also kind of pricey to get the switch and if you don't know how to install it get a thermostat.

 

[Ozy]

My dad installed a dimmer switch KateC, and it works great but it is also kind of pricey to get the switch and if you don't know how to install it get a thermostat.

PLEASE just stop Julie. I have a dimmer switch for my UTH and it was $10, it plugs into the wall then has a plug on it for the heat mat. You are not giving correct information and are encouraging this person.

 

[WilliamTheLeopardGecko]

Here it's 30 dollars.
I guess my dad used a different one.

 

[geckos9]

PLEASE just stop Julie.

she's 10 Ozy, really?

 

[Ozy]

I know she's 10. I could have been a lot meaner, but I wasn't because I know she's 10. I like julie, but if someone is giving out incorrect information then I'm going to call them on it.

 

[WilliamTheLeopardGecko]

I'm sorry, next time I'll make sure it is correct before I post.
I went to the store to pick up some things and I saw a 30 dollar dimmer switch, and I assumed that they were like that.

 

[mudskipper]

A thermostat is better than a dimmer. Unless the room temperature and the heatpad itself always stay the same temperatures, which would be unlikely, the temperature in the warm hide will keep fluctuating depending on the room temperature. Think of a heatpad as a device that adds temperature. It won't know when to stop.

Unless you call your thermostat a dimmer.