iHerp Answers: Shelf Liner Inside Cage While Using UTH

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Shelf Liner Inside Cage While Using UTH

Posted By:

beradienboadude

I have shelf liner for a subsrtate for my leo is it ok to use a undertank heater? plz help very ergent dont know what to do?


Points:	250
Topics:	General Health , Caging , Heating
Tags:	Gecko, Heating, Substrate, UTH
Species:	Lizards > Geckos > Eublepharis macularius
Administrative:	Show/Hide

Member Comment

8/29/2009 8:04:25 PM

Sylvias

I have no idea exactly what shelf liner is but why not just use news paper? UTH's are safe with that and it's cheap and easy. Even eco earth with leos isn't a big mess with leos.

Member Comment

8/30/2009 2:15:51 AM

sideshowbob1

I don't know what kind of enclosure you have, whether it is glass or melamine or plastic. If you use an undertank heater you should use a reostat of some sort to control the temp. You should make sure there is air flow under the heater to not overheat it if is kept on a glass aquarium. I like under tank heater's on all my leo's, just make sure they have a place to go if it gets to hot on the side of the heater. I would like to know what this liner is that you are talking about???

Assisted Answer

8/30/2009 4:39:26 AM

shellboa

If you are talking about that self stick plastic stuff, no. An UTH will melt the glue and it will start peeling back. Then your leo might try eating it...never good. Why not just peel it up, wash the tank, stick on the heater and use newspaper. Seems cleaner to me than shelf liner...

Accepted Answer

8/30/2009 2:26:26 PM

Jeffriey

Depends on what the shelf liner is made up of. Some materials will produce toxic emissions when exposed to temperatures higher than what's considered normal use for example linoleum. There are a lot of things that are safe for human use but would probably never get tested for long term effects on pets such as reptiles. If you're going to use a UTH it would probably be better to play it safe and use another substrate like the others are suggesting.

Member Comment

8/31/2009 11:09:05 AM

JohnJohn

I think a shelf liner with adhesive could be bad with an undertank heat source. I'd just switch to newspaper. It's cheap.

Assisted Answer

8/31/2009 12:15:36 PM

CSMGecko

I agree with most above but I use vinyl tile, not linolium. I have never had any problems with this and it is widely used by many breeders due to ease of cleaning and heat transfer. It warms quite nicely without getting too hot. I use a UTH connected to a thermostat and keep my warm side around 90. The only problem I have noticed with using newspaper is the ink. I know many people use it with no problems but it can get the feet of your gecko dirty. If you are looking for something safe use paper towels.

Member Comment

1/17/2011 7:14:29 AM

abi21491

This question has had no activity for 14 days and will be closed by an administrator unless the original poster takes action.

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