Heating a 5.5 Terrarium

[Inka4040]

Been kicking around an idea for a small jewel orchid terrarium. Being a 5.5, there's not gonna be any livestock, but it will be pretty well planted. Being my first serious attempt at a planted terrarium, I'm sure I'll be facing a pretty steep learning curve, but the big issue right now, is heating the thing. My room gets pretty cold during the winter, and jewels need it pretty warm and humid. To that effect, I was planning to use one of those zoo med under tank heaters in order to keep it above room temp. Does anyone have much experience with these? There's gonna be about an inch of crushed lava rock, aliflor, or similar material, that will act as the reservoir, then a sphagnum based substrate. Basically, I'd love to know if the heater will be able to keep the tank in a stable temp range without unduly overheating it. Also, is there any measure of control that can be exerted over its heating? Would I have to invest in something like a rheostat, and if so, would such equipment be compatible with a timer? Thanks for your help everyone!!

[LifelessForm]

Maybe try a reptile under tank heater or heat tape with a thermostat?

[mellowvision]

the under tank heaters are in use at the aq... and seem to do an ok job... but before you do it, you might see how much heat your tank and pump cause, a lot of my tiny tanks stay warmer than I expect just from the internal pump.

[Inka4040]

There's no pumping going on in this tank. No circulating water, nothing... Just plants and a clip on lamp to light the thing. I seriously doubt the spiral cfl is gonna put out much heat, so I guess that would be my only choice. I'll tell you guys how it works out.

[kyryah]

You can put the UTH on the BACK of the aquarium - this allows it to throw some ambient heat. I would be more concerned with it being too cold than too warm.

You can use one of those light dimmer switches rather than a rheostat. UTH's are a set temp, no control over temp on your part.

Kristina

[BoJangles]

There's no pumping going on in this tank. No circulating water, nothing... Just plants and a clip on lamp to light the thing. I seriously doubt the spiral cfl is gonna put out much heat, so I guess that would be my only choice. I'll tell you guys how it works out.

you might be surprised my crested tank has 2 13w CFLs and it can heat it up a little maybe 4 degrees grab a CFL when its on i'm not syaing its gonna be hot but its warm

[Inka4040]

Thanks for the input everyone. Unfortunately, putting the heater on the back of the tank is not gonna work out. There's a background made of bamboo stems glued on, and even if I could, I'd still be worried about the cork blocking most of the heat from the actual plants. Putting it underneath, hopefully it'll warm the water in the reservoir and thus evenly dissipate the heat throughout the whole tank.

[Vicious_Fish]

Ricky try one of the smaller sized UTH designed for small aquariums and plastic tanks. I think it will put off enough heat to keep your plants happy.

[Inka4040]

Thanks for the reccomendation Seth. Is there a specific reason I can't use the reptile type? They have them at the local lfs so I wouldn't need toorder online. Are those not meant for use in tans with substrate or something?

[Vicious_Fish]

You'll be fine with the reptile type. Zoomed makes one that is for 1-5 gallon aquariums. That's the one I was referring to in my earlier post.
http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/prod/204542/product.web

[mellowvision]

yeah, I'd use the zoo med too.

[Inka4040]

Thanks Seth. That was the one i was originally looking at. Just have no experience with them so was unsure if they'd work out for my uses. Thanks for the input everyone, i'll start a thread when I actually get cracking on this thing.

[hydrophyte]

There is also the Hydor 7.5 watt aquarium heater. That one might be rated for using in the open air, and it's cheap.

[mellowvision]

http://www.repti-racks.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=25&Itemid=50

[Vicious_Fish]

http://www.repti-racks.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=25&Itemid=50

Nice link mellow, those look interesting. I may have to try one out. They are a bit pricey though.

[mellowvision]

yeah, I just came across it looking for something else and thought it looked like a great solution. I'd pay more to not have to deal with the sticky zoo med pad if it failed.

[Inka4040]

Thanks for the input everyone. I'm really not a fan of hydor heaters, as I've had some really bad experiences with them.

[mellowvision]

you know, I've had problems with almost every heater I've owned, including the little hydor, which really is the smallest in tank, adjustable heater I've found... EXCEPT the hydor inline eth heaters. I've had problems with every brand, make and model I've tried, except that one unit. I love it.

unfortunately, they're rather large and aren't great for a 5.5g Terrarium. lol.

something else you could think about...

I've considered making a terrarium with a glued in back wall, about 2-3" from the actual back... and then that area is filled with the water used for the tank, whether it be misting, trickling, or a water feature. The reservoir can hold a heater, pump, etc, generating radiant heat and humidity as well as serving as the water source.