Regulating a UTH's temperature

[Tirevy]

So I have my BPs UTH hooked up to a rheostat. I check in on her every once in a while to see what the temperature is reading. It's just annoying that is fluctuates to much.

My question is, is this really stressful on her, to have the temp constantly changing? Even if it's ranging from 87-90F? I just don't know what else I can do to keep it more constant. Help please?

[steveboos]

No don't worry about the temperature fluctuating that much, but the temp should be the GROUND temperature. If your using a digital thermometer and it says 87 to 90 degrees ambient air temp, the ground could be as high as 98 or 100.

I usually check my tank set up with a Zoo Med Rheostat with a IR Temp Gun and even on the lowest setting its too hot. I have to have about 1 inch of air space between the pad and cage so the temp isn't too hot.

Although the ambient air temp was about 85 to 90, the floor was 102 to 104, way too hot without any space. If i had just used the thermometer i would have never known.

I always tell people to invest in a good thermostat and a Infrared Temperature Gun, these are going to be your best friend when you get new arrivals, change cages, or go on vacation and don't have anyone to watch the snakes for you.

[Tirevy]

No don't worry about the temperature fluctuating that much, but the temp should be the GROUND temperature. If your using a digital thermometer and it says 87 to 90 degrees ambient air temp, the ground could be as high as 98 or 100.

I usually check my tank set up with a Zoo Med Rheostat with a IR Temp Gun and even on the lowest setting its too hot. I have to have about 1 inch of air space between the pad and cage so the temp isn't too hot.

Although the ambient air temp was about 85 to 90, the floor was 102 to 104, way too hot without any space. If i had just used the thermometer i would have never known.

I always tell people to invest in a good thermostat and a Infrared Temperature Gun, these are going to be your best friend when you get new arrivals, change cages, or go on vacation and don't have anyone to watch the snakes for you.

I have the thermometer probe right on the bottom of the tank. So my current temps are too cold then?

And what kinds of thermostats do you recommend?

[QuiccStrike911]

i just recently ordered this digital thermostat off of amazon.com for under $30. Shipment came in two free of charge. Ive had it for roughly 1week and couldnt be happier, keeps temps consistent without any adjustments whatsoever.

http://www.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-MTPR...6550239&sr=8-1

[AkHerps]

I'm getting that thermostat today!

Yeah Tirevy, thermostats all the way. I've been using lamp dimmers and they are super annoying. I feel like I'm just always checking temps.

Is 87-90 your hot spot, or ambient floor temps?

[steveboos]

Please let us know how that Thermostat works over time, it seems like a good idea to be so compact and so cheap. I always recommend Ranco Thermostats since they are the cheapest, yet very good quality and they are used in everything from brewing beer, to regulating heat pads.

If your Ambient air temps are 87-90, the floor could be a lot higher than that, i would stick the temp probe in between the actual heat pad and the tank just to see how hot it gets down there. If its anywhere over 115, i would worry.

Personally i keep my racks set at 101 degrees, the inside FLOOR of the tubs are 93.5 and vary by about 1 degree, the front of the tubs are room temp which is always 78-81. This is why i always recommend a Infrared Temperature gun to check the floor temps, cause thats what matters the most.

[Tirevy]

Thanks for all your helps guys!
I have the probe right on the floor of the tank. It's at about 89-93F. So should I have this higher? her substrate is only paper towels for now, but I'll be getting aspen bedding pretty soon.

[franken_stein]

Please let us know how that Thermostat works over time, it seems like a good idea to be so compact and so cheap. I always recommend Ranco Thermostats since they are the cheapest, yet very good quality and they are used in everything from brewing beer, to regulating heat pads.

I've been using that Hydrofarm thermostat for about two months now and it is amaaazing. I love it, particularly for the good price I live in southern California and in the past few weeks... man the temperatures have been seriously fluctuating. We had a REALLY hot couple of days and recently it got rainy and cold and now it's warm again. But, with some foil on top of my terrarium, and a heat lamp on top (adjusted with a dimmer), and the Hydrofarm connected to my UTH -- things have been very constant inside the terrarium. Very nice. Works really well for me!