What size heat mat I need?

[EightLeggedFrea]

I plan to put a 3" deathstalker in 5.5-gallon aquarium with a secure sliding scree top. I've got a heat mat that's 8W stuck to one of the long sides of the enclosure. Will my hopeful new scorp be warm enough? BTW I think I should also mention my room stays 76 to 78 degrees because I've got several heat lamps that stay on 24/7. One that heats a large rubbermaid box full of emps, and another that warms an H. spadix in a 10-gallon. I've also got a dubia colony in the closet that I keep at 90 degrees with another infrared light.

 

[Athlon2k2]

Despite the generalization that these guys love high heats they are very happy at a standard 78-85F temperature range. I would steer away from using heat pads. They can get rather hot and don't provide a good coverage of heat. Is there some reason why you can't use a heat lamp. Or maybe bump up the room temp a little.

 

[EightLeggedFrea]

Despite the generalization that these guys love high heats they are very happy at a standard 78-85F temperature range. I would steer away from using heat pads. They can get rather hot and don't provide a good coverage of heat. Is there some reason why you can't use a heat lamp. Or maybe bump up the room temp a little.

I use a heat mat (you know, Zoo-Med) for my B. jacksonis (2) and they are housed in a 2.5-gallon. They seem to do just fine. But yes I can use another heat lamp. Also are you sure 5.5-gallons isn't too large for a 3 incher? How fast do deathstalkers generally grow? Medium? Fast?

 

[~Abyss~]

fast. Here you go. If you have any questions feel free to PM me or whatever.
http://scorpionforum.darkbb.com/caresheets-f29/leiurus-quinquestriatus-death-stalkerhot-t14.htm

 

[SpunkMyer]

like athlon said steer away from heat pads. not only is the coverage not even but scorps tend to burrow to escape heat. that would accomplish the oposite if it needed to regulate its temperature. not really sure how much of a burrower an LQ is but i only use the mats in the winter when the heat tape and bulbs are not sufficient since i like to open all the windows when its cold out. if you are going to use one though make sure it doesnt cover the whole terrarium leave at least half unexposed so the scorp will have a slightly cooler part to move to if it gets to warm.

 

[~Abyss~]

what are you talking about? Heat pads work great. LQ' do burrow a lot but as long as the heat pad is on the SIDE of the tank and not UNDER it you'll be fine. But the temps right now aren't really neccessary for one.

 

[drummindan2007]

I agree with Abyss. I use heat pads with almost all of my scorps. I usually get the next size up than what is recommended on the package (getting a 10 gallon size mat for a 5.5 gallon tank....etc) I would also recommend putting the substrate in first, then apply the heat pad on the side of the tank. That way you can put the bottom of the pad at an even level with the top of the substrate. That way if they want to burrow, they are still able to escapethe heat.

 

[SpunkMyer]

what are you talking about? Heat pads work great. LQ' do burrow a lot but as long as the heat pad is on the SIDE of the tank and not UNDER it you'll be fine. But the temps right now aren't really neccessary for one.

lol i wasn't even thinking about sticking them on the side. man im retarded never even thought of anything other than puttin mats under the tank. i always just wrapped heat tape/cord around the outside using eletrical tape to attach it and cover it for insulation.

 

[colicabcadam]

I cover all of my desert species with a heat mat placed directly under the ceiling of the tank, works far better than sticking it to the side or underneath of the tank as the heat comes from above and is ditributed a little better, plus this also means that no matter where the scorpion burrows/hides, it's certain to be cooler.

it's easy to get the temp correct too, by simply adding or removing substrate (bring the surface closer to the heat mate)

the bad point thogh, is you can loose a little light, in the future, i am going to re house all my pets into glass tanks and go down the heat bulb / light option, a bright tank in the day always looks better.

 

[~Abyss~]

thats a good idea but most heat pads are pretty weak so I just stick to using it in the side. Honestly most of my scorps are kept at room temp yearlong. The only scorps that have heat are the ones I NEED to grow faster.
-Eddy

 

[colicabcadam]

Abyss, you'd be suprised how good placing a heat mat on the celing works. however, i think the following statements are correct when talking about heat mats mounted to the ceiling

High ventalation (loads of air vents) = less heat
Low humidity = less heat (het mats cannot heat air directly, but can warm the water in the air)
High hummidity = more heat
Too much of a distance from the surface = less heat

A general rule of thub when regarding this method is simply, the less humid the encloser, the closer it needs to be to the surfice