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Post by Deleted on Dec 7, 2012 18:37:51 GMT 1
Hi folks , Right, I've purchased one Heat mat that's half the size of my tank and thermostat. Where would you advise i position the mat ? On the base of the tank, standing on polystyrene or polyurethane or positioned on the back face of the tank. Pictures to follow if needed to get my point across Max
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Post by Deleted on Dec 8, 2012 3:14:12 GMT 1
Unfortunately I cannot help you in heat pad set-up as I have never used them before. Sorry mate.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 8, 2012 9:57:23 GMT 1
Thanks once again flavus I understand the basic concept of the heat mat so I'm happy to use it, I still might convert to lamps, day and night, the red night light will be a nice addition as nicobarensis are more of a nocturnal species, right? Something you've had experience with? Thanks Max Baker
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Post by Deleted on Dec 8, 2012 12:56:49 GMT 1
I haven't used a heat pad for ants, but I do keep reptiles, so I'd say having your heat pad on polystyrene or a wood base object then placing your tank on top of the heatpad would be fine, also for reptiles 1/2 tank size heat pad is a bit big, 1/3 is a better size, but other than that I think your good to go, oh and definitely be precise with your temperature settings .
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Post by Deleted on Dec 8, 2012 13:33:13 GMT 1
The best thing to use is a thermometer to make sure you're not frying the ants... I've been told putting heat mats right against plastic, wood etc is very dangerous... So I always, when planning to use heat mats, thought I would use a porcelain plate or sorts, almost like a thin floor tile, to absorb the heat on either sides. Maybe glass. At the moment I actually use a lava lamp. Very warm, and not as annoying as a constant lamp! But heat mats will surely be a more pro setup
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Post by Deleted on Dec 8, 2012 15:07:54 GMT 1
I brought a thermostat which promises degree variations of only 1°c, so I will aim for 25°c to 27°c my tank is glass, one of the blokes at work used to make them i will buy a red light for the sole purpose of night observations. Thanks guys Max Baker
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Post by Deleted on Dec 8, 2012 20:40:27 GMT 1
yeah i would put the heat mat under one end of the formicarium and so then the ant s canchoose to make their nest on either the warmer or cooler side of the formicarium.
i proberbly will never have to use a heat mat ,and so i am only guessing, because my room is south facing and so my room is the warmest in the house averaging around 23-26°c
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Post by Deleted on Dec 8, 2012 21:35:01 GMT 1
Really 20-30 degrees celcius on wood won't do anything, that's room temp really (well a toasty hot room put it that way!) Knowledge from my snake tank which is pine with aspen bedding.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 9, 2012 4:06:27 GMT 1
Yeah. I got the above warnings for 40C temp mats... so 25-27 is very normal, for example, here right now in summer. Shouldn't be an issue then
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Post by Deleted on Dec 9, 2012 4:17:09 GMT 1
Temperatures here are -5°c up to 5°c, my house is poorly insulated and it often matches outside temps, inside. I keep my heating on at roughly 30°c but the glass of my tank feels very cold so I went for the heat mat to warm things up, lamps will provide me with a more natural heat source, the sun radiates heat from above, more so than the core of the earth does..
Max Baker
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