KSB newb questions..

[Boanewb]

Hi guys, I'm setting up for my first snake, a young Kenyan sand boa female. I'm set to get her next week so I'm trying to fine tune her set up ASAP. I had some dumb questions about temperature: I'm using a heat pad in addition to a ceramic heat emitter because my house is really cold right now (low 60s). Should I be measuring the hotspot temperature under the aspen, on the glass above the heat pad? I'm using a temp gun. On top of the aspen reads upper-mid 80s; I'm afraid if I raise the thermostat higher to reach 95 it will be too hot on the glass. So, should I aim for 95 on the glass above the pad? Even if the bedding surface reads lower? Sorry if this is confusing. Total newb.

[Boanewb]

Haha The more I think about it the more I realize how stupid this question is. It's gonna burrow...so no more than 95 on the glass under the bedding. Yeah?

[Eavlynn]

Congrats on your future addition!

You'll want to measure the hot spot on the glass, since she'll spend most of her time burrowing. The CHE will provide the heat from above for the ambient air temp. It's good that you're fine tuning things early instead of last minute!

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[DennisM]

Measure the hotspot on the glass. Hotspots need to be measured anywhere the snake can reach. This is a KSB, it will be burrowing. I've never kept KSB, but it's my understanding that a 95 degree hotspot is the max. The heat pad needs to be on a thermostat. Your also going to need to heat the cool side considering your ambient room temps.

[Boanewb]

Thanks for the swift replies. I've got the hotspot set now, on a thermostat. Maxed it at 94. I do think I'll need to pick up a higher wattage CHE, my coolest spot currently is 74 with the CHE on max.

[Eavlynn]

Thanks for the swift replies. I've got the hotspot set now, on a thermostat. Maxed it at 94. I do think I'll need to pick up a higher wattage CHE, my coolest spot currently is 74 with the CHE on max.

I'd try out a toastier CHE and see how it changes the temps. You could also cover the top, if it's a screen top. I use reflectix and it works like a dream!

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[Boanewb]

I'll look into that reflectix if I can't make do with a better CHE what wattage would you recommend? I have a lamp with a dimmer that only allows for 75 (I can definitely get a different lamp if need be). Currently using a teeny 25watt that I had lying around. Also, should the lamp be over the cool side or centered?

[Eavlynn]

I'll look into that reflectix if I can't make do with a better CHE what wattage would you recommend? I have a lamp with a dimmer that only allows for 75 (I can definitely get a different lamp if need be). Currently using a teeny 25watt that I had lying around. Also, should the lamp be over the cool side or centered?

Wattage depends on the size of the tank and the temps you want to achieve. If it's a 20 gallon, a 60 or 75 watt should be fine. I'd cover the top to keep the heat from rising out. I have a regular 75 watt bulb on a 10 gallon and without reflectix, it stays around 76 on the cool end, but with reflectix, it gets up to 83 or so. That way, I can make more use of the heat put out, without raising the wattage

I'd keep all heat sources on one side. That way you have something of a gradient that your sand boa can use to thermoregulate.

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[Boanewb]

Another dumb question....

So I have the CHE in order to raise the temp everywhere but the hotspot...that's taken care of with the heat pad. The hotspot under the aspen is 93-95. If I put the CHE over the center/cool side and raise the coolest end to 80, wouldn't that be okay? I totally understand the need for a gradient but as long as the temps still range from 80 on one end to 95 on the other, isn't that okay regardless of where the CHE is? Idk, it just seems more efficient than putting the CHE on a spot that's already hot enough and covering the other end. Sorry if this makes no sense haha, trying my best.

[Eavlynn]

That might not be the way I would do it, but it doesn't mean that it's wrong either. As long as your sand boa has the temp zones she needs to thermoregulate, your setup should work out alright. And it's easy enough to switch up if you want to down the road.

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