Question about adhesive heating pads for terrariums?

Question

Ok so I need to buy a heating pad for my tarantula and I was wondering if when unplugged you can get it wet as long as you be careful not to get the plug itself wet. Example: Time to clean out the tank and put in fresh bedding...Need to wash out the tank really good but there is an adhesive pad on it. Don't want to take off the pad because it will make it less sticky and those pads are expensive. Is it safe or do I have any other options? Would a heat lamp work just as well? I have been using a regular human heating pad which has been working great, but I don't want an electrical fire down the road.

Answer 1

i have a heating pad on my tarantulas tank. when i clean it out, i just put the one side of the tank, that does not have the heating pad, under running water, to get the water inside. then i take the tank to the counter to scrub it out.  i don't recommend letting the heat pad get wet at all. since they are adhesive, if they aren't perfectly flat, they can have an air bubble, or an entry way for some water to get trapped in. this would be an electrical hazard once you plug the mat back in. It doesn't work if you take off the heating mat (for most brands). once you take them off, the mat wont work anymore, bc the wires will bend a bit.(or it will create an electrical surge) Cobra heating mats are self adhesive (you stick them to your tank with black electrical tape) and they are fully removable. I stay away from heat lights personally. i find they can get too hot for the tarantulas, and actually cook them. i only use my heat pad in the winter for my tarantula. (my house is usually 80 in the summer). Mexican derived tarantulas can take colder temps then other types of tarantulas (ex rose hair) they can tolerate a low of 64 degrees (not that I'm recommending that temp). so your use of your heat mat will depend on the type of your tarantula, and your house temp.

Answer 2

If you get an adhesive pad stick it to the outside on the underside of the tank. That's what I do for my snake and it works just as well!