New 3 foot tank

Hey guys and girls!

Going to purchase a new tank http://www.seapets.co.uk/products/reptile-supplies/reptile-terrariums/vivexotic-vivariums/vivexotic-vivariums-lx-models/vivexotic-lx36-vivarium-winchester-oak-91-5x37-5x40-5cm.html
Was wondering what will be the best way to set this up? heat wise.

I was thinking a Heat Mat at first but then I am unsure where to put the heat mat... inside or outside?
Then I thought about getting an infared light instead of the heat mat!

What will be the best option for this type of tank?

Thanks guys,
Swarsh

leos need under tank heater to properly digest their food, I have a similar viv to that and the heat mat will need to go inside as wood is not a very good conductor.

I visited my local rep shop today and they told me to just use a infared as that may heat the floor aswell... but i did not really buy that explanation

So how do you have the heat mat then? what sort of substrate/floor do u use?

I normally use tissue (have a plastic tank atm so i just put the mat outside)

Swarsh

i dont blame you for not buying that explanation, the infra red lamp will heat the air temp no the floor. my heat mat is on the inside on the base of my viv my heat mat is big enough to cover 1/3rd of the floor space, I have a slate tile substrate it conducts the heat well. the heat mat is connected to a thermostat which the sensor from it is on top of the slate I also have a digital probe thermometer which has two probes one to measure the hot side and another to measure the cool.

Ahh I see,
I want a more natural look so tiles arent really my thing!
but if its good then ill use it

Thanks

no problem

If youre getting a viv that the heater had to go inside you have no choice but to make a false interior floor out of tiles that will conduct the heat plus be water proof so you will likely want to get an ultratherm uth, their water resistant and work VERY WELL. This is how my sons ball pythons tank had to be done. what is it you don't like about the use of tiles in the viv? Way type of substrait would you prefer? Good for you for not listening to the pet shop. The vast majority of the people there are idiots that only parrot misinformation.

Tiles just look rather artificial... but then again so does tissues! haha

I'll definately be looking into getting some tiles for this viv then~
Is it just any tile? or does it have to be specific ones? I was just thinking of going into nearest garden centre and picking up some tiles, will that work?

Swarsh

i had the same problem with the tile, i hate how it has the space between and what not lol thats why i have decided to go with a glass tank and use the peal and stick vinyl tiles, they look like slate and you cant see the seems unless you look closely, but i wouldn't use those for a wood tank... i know kermit knows more about what kind of tiles to get then i do so i will let her answer that question, also a question directed to kermit. could they grout the tiles? like could they lay the tiles down and then do a thin layer of grout ontop of them and them seal them with mod posh sealant? that is what you do for the cool fake rock terrariums... do you think that the heat would be able to get threw the grout and tile? just wondering.

I've found some really nice tiling at the home improvement stores. And if you match the rest of your decor to the tiling, it really helps. Kermit has a really great looking natural tank, and she used tile and natural stones. It looks AWESOME.

Sand is a big no-no, just so you know And its not natural to leos. Just seemed like that was the direction you were headed when you said no tiling and no paper towel. Sand can cause impaction, even in adult leos.

Yes you can grout the tiles but the problem that can arise is that since it technically will be like a floating floor the grout will eventually crack and chip out unless you secure the tiles to the floor of the viv. You wouldn't need to seal it mystic as most grouts are self sealing and it really wouldn't prevent the grout from cracking, plus you would need a properly sized grout line to make the grout work properly. Just butting the tiles together and grouting wouldn't provide enough of a grout line for the grout to be thick and sturdy enough to try to prevent cracking. It would be better to to do a"soft grout" with sand and misting it to compact the sand into the grout lines like you would with laying pavers in your yard. Your leo can scratch some of the sand out just by walking over the grout lines but not much and out can be swept up. I think the vinyl tiles would be the best option but you have the problem of having to install the uth in the viv instead of under it. The false floor really is the best option for this, basically sandwiching the waterproof uth between 2 tiles. I can go more in depth with this if you need. It's real easy, just requires 2 natural stone tiles cut to fit the depth of your tank, put one on the floor, get 4- 1" tiles for the corners so theres a slight gap between the tiles so the uth can breathe and place the 2nd tile on top of the 1"tiles... Voila false heated floor. This works great in my sons ball pythons tank. It has a2 inch thick slate floor that was a bear to heat thru but with the false floor we never have a problem making temps.

Thanks for the compliments on my viv kathryn. if the op would like to see it there's pix in the show off your set up sticky, pretty sure its the first post snce I started that thread

Ahh thanks for the info guys~

Will be ordering the viv later today and then i'll go out and start looking for some more natural looking tiles.. if there is any! :P

Thanks again,
Swarsh

I think you can buy natural stone tiles that are un polished, my slate ones are old roofing tiles of and old farm building and they helped towards achieving a nice natural looking viv once they were cleaned up a tad. i find natural stone a better heat conductor than the ceramic ones.

Sweet,
I'll go around and look for the natural stone then!

Can't wait to get started ;p

You canfind natural stone... marble, just flip it and don't use the polished side, go to a custom counter manufacturer, thy get rid of useable sized samples from discontinued countertop lines all the time and usually jut throw them out. Soap stone, granite, slate even layers of field collected shale are all great. Don just look in the flooring department at ome improvement centers look at kitchen and bath counters as well. If they custom cut counters the cut out parts for sinks are also scrap usually thrown out.. ask 'em for it. Garden centers are also a good place to look and some roofing supply centers offer slate roofing tiles but those can be too thick or wedged shaped. Natural stone is always better. Ceramic and porcelain are tough but also insulators, again coffee mug theory...

So hope that gives you some ideas at how really endless the options are hope it helps

Ahhh thanks
Going to start looking for them early next week!
Just hoping it doesnt snow here!! going to mess up all my plans if it does

Thanks for info guys and girls!

Swarsh

Youre welcome, can't wait to see what you find

I'll post a pic of it!

If I can make it look good that is... :P

Swarsh