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 #1717814


Scaly
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 UTH coming off

I noticed the UTH on one of my tanks is coming off(no sticking anymore)the bottom of the tank, I have reached under there several times and tried to press it back on but it keeps drooping right back down, what if anything can I use to re-stick this, I know it has to be nontoxic(if its glue), withstand the heat(not melt like duct tape)etc. Has anyone else had this happen? I hate to have to replace it, its on a 55 gallon tank and they are not cheap.
04/27/08  11:44am

 #1717831


Kojak
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   Message To: Scaly   In reference to Message Id: 1717814


 UTH coming off

Simple solution. Get a role of "silver tape". This is tape used in HVAC applications (heating and air). It is basically aluminum foil tape. It sticks very well and still allows the transfer of heat. The adhesive on the tape does not seem to be affected by heat. I use it to tape down all of my flexwatt and uth’s in my rack system.
You can find this tape at just about any hardware store or even Walmart. It is a little more expensive than duct tape, but is very effective...about 8 or 9 dollars for a regular roll.
04/27/08  12:08pm

 #1717886


Scaly
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   Message To: Kojak   In reference to Message Id: 1717831


 UTH coming off

Thanks Kojak, I’m going to Lowes right now. And, I have to admit that my husband must have been right, he told me that there was metal duct tape and I argued that it would heat up and the adhesive would come off!



04/27/08  01:04pm

 #1718163


S*A*M
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   Message To: Scaly   In reference to Message Id: 1717886


 UTH coming off

mine arnt even stuk to anything, lol, i jsut have them thier, easier if im changing mats about, getting new vivs, ect
04/27/08  05:45pm

 #1718169


Scaly
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   Message To: S*A*M   In reference to Message Id: 1718163


 UTH coming off

It needs to be stuck,the bottom of the tank has a 1 1/2"lip around it, so if it wasn’t stuck to the bottom of the tank it would be sitting directly on the antique dresser it is on, and heating up the dresser instead of the tank.



04/27/08  05:51pm

 #1718879


S*A*M
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   Message To: Scaly   In reference to Message Id: 1718169


 UTH coming off

ahh ok,. i have all mine in the vivs, lol
04/28/08  11:54am

 #1718997


HENRYANDROSEY
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   Message To: Scaly   In reference to Message Id: 1717814


 UTH coming off

what is Uth? what does it mean?
04/28/08  02:39pm

 #1719003


Kojak
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   Message To: HENRYANDROSEY   In reference to Message Id: 1718997


 UTH coming off

UTH; Under Tank Heater. This can be one of the commercial types made by various companies such as Cobra, Zoo-Med and Flukers. You can also use flexwatt or heat tape.
Be sure to use a rheostat and/or a thermostat with any under enclosure heating device, as most of these will reach very high temperatures if left to run full throttle. Too high for safe use on most reptiles, particularly corn snakes.
Even if you use the foil tape to secure your UTH to the underside of your tank or tub, it is easily removed, as the foil tape is easily torn. As long as you don’t use the adhesive backing applied by the manufacturer, you can remove and reattach the UTH multiple times. Pay attention not to flex or bend the UTH. The internal wiring is very delicate and is prone to shorting out if moved excessively. This will render your UTH unsafe.
04/28/08  02:49pm

 #1719861


HENRYANDROSEY
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   Message To: Kojak   In reference to Message Id: 1719003


 UTH coming off

thxs. so you mean a heat mat basically but under that tank
04/29/08  04:07am

 #1719953


Kojak
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   Message To: HENRYANDROSEY   In reference to Message Id: 1719861


 UTH coming off

Yes, but they are different than the ones you can purchase for human use. The heating pads used for therapy and so forth, usually have an auto-shut off. They will cut off after 2 hours or so.
There are commercially made heat pads specifically made for the reptile enthusiast. They will generally achieve fairly high temps, so you must use a thermostat/rheostat with them.
04/29/08  09:00am


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