20 Gallon Tank Setup.....HELP!!!

[Kaorte]

Did you get a thermostat for your heat mat?

Where did you place the probe for the accurite?

Yeah 65 is really chilly. I would get a low wattage red heat lamp and a lamp dimmer so you can adjust it as necessary.

[Mephibosheth1]

The thermostat arrived a few days ago, but I haven't installed it. Would that actually increase the temperature any? (Isn't the thermostat just for turning down the temperature??)

I have the accurite probe under the substrate under the water dish, which is on the warm side of the tank. I do not have it affixed to the glass yet, as this is still the 10 gallon tank I'm using.

[Kaorte]

How thick is your layer of substrate? I would take the probe out from under the water dish and just kinda bury it under a thin layer of substrate.

it is also possible that the thermometer you have isn't all that correct.

[Mephibosheth1]

Got the Acurite 00891....

ill try moving the probe

by "low wattage bulb" what are you referring too (5W, 10W, etc)???
and aren't lamp dimmers usually installed on a wall?

[Kaorte]

Got the Acurite 00891....

ill try moving the probe

by "low wattage bulb" what are you referring too (5W, 10W, etc)???
and aren't lamp dimmers usually installed on a wall?

I haven't bought a bulb for a tank in a looooong time but I'm fairly certain they don't come that low (except for compact fluorescents). I would go with a 60-100w and then you can dim it down if needed.

You can get something called a piggy back dimmer. You plug the lamp directly into the dimmer, and plug the dimmer into the wall. There is a little slider where you can adjust the temp.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Lutron-Cr...5#.UZ5cZiv72Go

[Mephibosheth1]

@Kaorte
thanks so much for your help; I think I'll go get that today or after he sheds so he'll be ready for his new tank

[TheSnakeGuy]

The probe from the tstat goes on the OUTSIDE of the tank. It goes between the glass and the UTH. Your tstat needs to be set on whatever temp that is needed to achieve the 90 hot spot on TOP of the substrate(probably around 93-95). You should only have about 1/2"-3/4" deep substrate. Any more than that makes it hard for the heat to get through. Make sure you are measuring the temperature on the TOP of the substrate with the accurite unit or the probe because that's where the animal will be. As for the lamp you will need a 50-75 watt red or blue night time bulb in a ceramic fixture. It needs to be left on 24/7 to keep your ambient air temp around 80. Also it helps to cover the screen mesh completely except for where the heat lamp will sit. This will help to hold heat and humidity. Here's an example, it's covered with insulated bubble wrap. Most people use plexiglass or damp towels. Here's my 10 gallon.

[Mephibosheth1]

I got a 75W heat bulb and light hood as well as a stronger heat pad (it will actually go over the temp I want it at, that way the thermostat will be able to tone it down properly.

new temps are 88, 78, with 77% humidity.

[TheSnakeGuy]

I got a 75W heat bulb and light hood as well as a stronger heat pad (it will actually go over the temp I want it at, that way the thermostat will be able to tone it down properly.

new temps are 88, 78, with 77% humidity.

Very good! Now get us some pics of your snake and it's home.

[Kaorte]

The humidity is a tough high for my liking, but otherwise, temps look good!