heat rock?

[losermonkey5]

So random question I know your not supposed to use heat rocks because they can burn animals but what if I put the hear rock under the dirt in my tank so that it would not be exposed to the animals yet would add heat to the tank and that general area? would it be safe? Just curious because I have an old on I got for free a long time ago and I have never used it.

[Deep_Water]

As far as I'm concerned it is ok. Just make sure that there is enough substrate on top of it so that your animals don't get burnt, but there can't be alot on top or else they won't feel the heat.

[Siren]

Many species of animals will dig towards heat. It just depends on what animal you use it for. My own persoanl feelings in it are avoid them at all costs. Undertank heaters are safer and a lot more reliable.

If you want to use it as decor, just cut the cord off it and use it like you would a normal rock. They make good basking rocks because the hold heat a little longer than normal rocks.

[legendaryfrog]

I wouldnt use it. My experiences with heat rocks (especially old ones) always ended up with the rock suddenly overheating and burning the animal.

[Dangerdoll]

I agree with LF..... I don't know if they are supposed to be submersible anyway and what's to stop it from heating, thereby causing a rapid and uncontrolled water temp.

[darkcirca]

You could just get a temperature controller to control the temperatures, then you wouldn't have to worry about it.

[skateroffallen]

ya i wouldnt use a heat rock....i just use one of the tank heaters that stick on to the side of the tank or the bottom

[tricksterpup]

I adopted an iguana years ago that suffered from heat rock burns. My feelings and the best use for them. Take a sharp pair of Scissors cut the cord and use the rock in the cage with a hot lamp beating down on the stone to warm it that way.
Just my 2 cents worth.

[Dangerdoll]

that's what I always did with them too, Trick...

[J double R]

yep, and with the risk of the rock heating, there is also the risk of the rock fizzling and not working at all.. i lost a snake directly after a feeding that way.

[tricksterpup]

yep, and with the risk of the rock heating, there is also the risk of the rock fizzling and not working at all.. i lost a snake directly after a feeding that way.

How did that happen? Did it get to cold? or was it to hot??

[J double R]

got too cold... when a snake eats and there suddenly isnt enough warmth for ti to digest and metabolize the prey, it just sits in the belly and can begin to rot after a couple days. of course, i left him alone for a few days after feeding so i had no idea that the rock had given out on me.

[tricksterpup]

got too cold... when a snake eats and there suddenly isnt enough warmth for ti to digest and metabolize the prey, it just sits in the belly and can begin to rot after a couple days. of course, i left him alone for a few days after feeding so i had no idea that the rock had given out on me.
What species was it?? yes, temps dropping to room temp can be bad at times but most Northern snakes (not all) can take a dip and still live if its in the mid 70s, even after eating.

[J double R]

it was your common wild gopher snake, caught him in my yard when i was 6, and had had him for bout 7 years. (this was also in california, not Connecticut.)