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Post by Evil Angel on Oct 20, 2011 14:22:56 GMT
I'm currently using a 28 watt 23x11 inch habistat heat mat on my tank, but it just doesn't seem to be heating up enough, I was hoping for temps of 25-30c but only getting about 20-22c, I've just ordered some polystyrene to insulate it, but wondered if maybe buying a thermostat would help raise temp too? I didn't need one with my old mat, but it was only a 6-4 inch 4 watt mat, but it still seemed to heat up better than this new one?  |
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Post by Evil Angel on Oct 20, 2011 20:45:31 GMT
Oh never mind, you guys take too long to reply  I'll try reptile forums instead see if they'll help me. See ya soon x |
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Post by SojMad on Oct 20, 2011 21:11:58 GMT
Sorry I can't help you, I would have if I could, but I don't know especially much about heat mats.  Maybe something is wrong with yours, though? 20-22 seems very low even to me, thats like pretty low to average room temperature. |
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Post by ness on Oct 20, 2011 21:54:17 GMT
Oh never mind, you guys take too long to reply I'll try reptile forums instead see if they'll help me. See ya soon x That's a bit harsh! Anyway... a thermostat can't raise the maximum temperature. a heatmat left on all of the time is going to be as hot as it can get, a thermostat will only keep it at a constant temperature the same or lower (if it's a pulse-stat) or will switch it on or off periodically, making it fluctuate between off and hot if you get the other sort. You are right to get the insulation, you should see quite a difference in temperature. |
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iloncia
Achatina achatina
Posts: 71
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Post by iloncia on Oct 21, 2011 10:00:47 GMT
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Post by Evil Angel on Oct 21, 2011 11:09:49 GMT
I was on a reptile forum and from what you and they've said I've got to move my tank away from the wall as it is sapping the heat, and that I really should get it insulated... And doing that should (hopefully) fix my problem!  thanks for the help!!! |
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latebloomer
Achatina immaculata
The Snail Botherer
Posts: 251
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Post by latebloomer on Oct 21, 2011 11:44:06 GMT
I'm a bit new to heatmats myself but for what its worth I used polystyrene with a bit of tinfoil at the back to stop the heat escaping and put bubblewrap between ths tank and the wall. I darent go away overnight unless I set the house on fire haha. Seriously are propagators ok if they dig down? I will have to get something that is a bit easier to keep warm enough than heat mats.
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latebloomer
Achatina immaculata
The Snail Botherer
Posts: 251
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Post by latebloomer on Oct 21, 2011 13:01:21 GMT
I meant in case I set the house on fire! Thanks ilonicia that looks like the answer to the problem. My curly haired dog can't stand the house too warm especially at night, but I need to keep a higher constant temperature in one of the tanks.
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Post by SnailsPace on Oct 21, 2011 18:29:49 GMT
I also cover back of heat mat with tinfoil and an old place mat. If you tank is against wall you could put a towel down the back of it
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foghog
Achatina immaculata
Posts: 235
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Post by foghog on Oct 21, 2011 21:35:42 GMT
Oh never mind, you guys take too long to reply I'll try reptile forums instead see if they'll help me. See ya soon x « Thread Started Yesterday at 2:22pm » wow a whole 6 hours is to long? did you think people were like on stand-by at a switchboard like a helpline or something? Though it seems you have your answer. as was stated above a thermostat doesn't add any heat at all, it stops it and turns it off if it has to much heat. insulation is always the key to holding in heat. if you use something like aluminum foil, you need to back it with something or it will act as a heatsink and actually wick heat away. also where you have the heat mat will make a difference, and I have found what is really important is not just the ambient heat temperature with snails. you have to check and understand the micro climates within the tanks, and even create them. moisture and heat as well as cooler zones setup and create air movement which translates into drafts, and zones where snails feel better or not as good, and this does everything from bring scents of food to them, to keeping them active moving from spot to spot. I haven't determined conclusively that doing such makes them healthier, bigger/etc yet...but that is a theory of mine currently, and I have done comparisons with weather patterns in areas various snails do well which seems to correlate. anyways just a thought. On a side note, I have'nt done this myself, but I wonder if a decent temp control method might be to slide in a water proof side panel with glass (IE a 2-3" water compartment' ) which would be heated by a tank heater. heating the water would store more energy, which should allow less energy consumption over-all I think, and create a more even heat, and may even allow more moisture content, and insulation properties. but it is just a crazy idea I have and haven't tested yet. a thinner glass on the inside would be ok also I think, as it would allow more heat transfer inside, and it really shouldn't need to be as strong as the tank's glass. the heater doesn't have to be all along the side either as the heat on one side will create water movement which will cycle the water anyways. it may be slightly cooler elsewhere but thats good imo... well thats the thought anyways. |
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I'll try reptile forums instead see if they'll help me. See ya soon x
Maybe something is wrong with yours, though? 20-22 seems very low even to me, thats like pretty low to average room temperature. 
thanks for the help!!!