PLEASE HELP ME OUT????????

[Simon Batten]

The bottom of my tank has just cracked I got it yesterday and stuck the heat mat directly on the bottom, underneath that I have an aquarium base mat I set this up the same as my other tank which I have had 4 months except I didnt use an aquarium base mat on the original one and have had no problems do you think I should be able to take the tank back and the shop should replace it I really need opinions before 5 oclock tonight 12/9/06 thanks in advance

[Ray Hale]

Hi Simon,

glass will crackwhen heat is applied to it. With nowhere for the heat to dissippate, the full force of the heat will be on the glass surface. Putting heat mats under the tank is not a good idea. Place it to the rear of the tank. This will give a heat gradient acroos the tank from back to front and allow your tarantula a choice of temperature. Think of the animal in the wild. When it gets hot it digs to get cooler. If the mat is under the tank the opposiet happens. Hope this helps. It is a method preffered by mny.

Also dont worry too much about the crack, try using some sticky backed plastic ( from Band Q or Focus). Cut it to size and stick it over the base.
Works well.

Hope this helps

Ray Hale

[Adam Smith]

Having a crack should not cause too many problems provinding you fix up the crack so the spider doesnt dig down and getted snagged on the split, it needed be leak proof like if you were say keeping fish. As long as the crack is covered down securely and the T cant escape shouldnt be a prob. i dont think you would be able to get refund but make best with what you have, it isnt crucial but at least its expereience in future refernce. I personally use the heating of the room at certain temp but when it was just a couple had heat mats at the back or side depending on position.

[Simon Batten]

thanks for the fast responses guys so it will be alright if I just stick it directly on the back of the tank it is only a small heat mat and doesnt take up the whole length of the tank how is sticking it to the back better does it relieve heat pressure on the glass???????
edit do you mean on the sides ie the upright

[Adam Smith]

Yes upright at the sides and this way it heats up a section but gives area for excess heat to escape when the mat was under the glass it had no where for the heat to go, it is possible to place mat under tank providing tank is raised an inch or so gving space but at the back or side is fine. Alternatinvley use heat cables that can be bent around the back of the tank giving heat but not concentrated on one area. When your collection grows and have many Ts it would be worth while having a heating system that heats the room up or if using many heat mats have thermostat attched to them for continuity of temp

[Simon Batten]

thanks Adam that explains why the other tank didnt crack because I didnt use an aquarium base mat but put it on legs which are about an inch this one I put on legs as well but on the base mat must not let the heat leave so well but you learn from your mistakes I just dont understand why the lady at water marque told me to put it on that mat

[Adam Smith]

If that was advice id have to say she must have had the wrong idea or didnt explain right how to heat the tank. Its always good idea to read on the net for info and get experienced opinions and compare various options.

[Simon Batten]

thanks for your help Adam and Ray now I think il run everything im not sure about past you guys

[Mark Pennell]

Simon
A good idea and one I have done many times is to get a sheet of polystyrene cut it to the same size as the bottom tank. Liberally apply silicon sealant on it and place the tank on top.

Polystyrene sheets can be purchased at B&Q. Along with the sealant.

This will not only stabilise your crack but provide a nice non scratch bottom to your tank and prevent you marking table tops or shelves.

Regards
Mark

[Ray Gabriel]

I cannot ad more to what Ray and Mark have said apart from, and this is my opinion, i would take the tank back to the shop and ask for a repleacement as it was thier stupidity in not knowing what they were talking about which caused the tank to crack in the first place.

Ray