Another silly question

[MedusasOwl]

I'm currently adjusting/messing with the temps in Gomez's enclosure before he arrives Wed, and I was curious as to where exactly is the best place to put the Flukers digital temp/humidity thinger for the best readings. Right now I have it on the floor of the tub admist the substrate, but I'm worried about water spillage or him simply squishing it as he gets holder, as well as not getting the most accurate humidity readings right on top of the heat like that.

I'm still regulating the t-stat, but living in Arid-zona it's the humidity I'm sure I'm going to need to worry about. Falkor sheds perfect without trouble in our apartment and he's in a glass crittercage, but he's a corn snake and there isn't a space heater in the livingroom like there is in the bedroom. I'm being an extra paranoid mommy and trying to get it all perfect before he gets here.

This is the kind of tub I'm using, love the locking lid, but of course his doesn't have any filing stuff in it like the pic. I really need to find a couple of nice clay hides I can soak for shedtime or something instead of the empty tissueboxes he'll be starting with, but all in good time.

Mostly I'm just worried about accurate temp readings right now while I get the whole thing situated. Should I keep the Flukers thinger on the bottom or up somewhere on the side? Middle? Where would be most accurate for both heat and humidity?

[MedusasOwl]

On a semi-related note, do I need to be *securing* the T-stat probe inside somehow? It's in there, but not secured. If so -how and where is the best for my snake?

[Adam_Wysocki]

I don't keep digital thermometers inside of my cages 24 hours a day 7 days a week ... never did.

What I do is randomly take "samples" of cage temps a couple of times a week, month, etc.

For example, I'll clear the high/low temps and then put the unit in the cage for 24 hours with the thermometer say by the cool side hide and maybe with the probe inside the warm side hide. I'll check and record the temps several times and also check the high/low that was recorded overnight while I slept. If the temps are not "dialed in" I'll make adjustments and repeat ... if the temps are good to go in those spots, I'll clear the high/low again and move the unit and the probe to two different spots and keep going until I've gotten most of the cage covered and everything is just right.

After a couple of weeks, I might repeat the process, just to be sure ... and again every so often or when there are drastic changes in the weather to make sure the heating elements are keeping up with changes in household temps.

Once a cage is dialed in, it should be good to go and there really shouldn't be a need to keep the thermometer in the cage constantly.

-adam

[tigerlily]

I would place the probe on the ground, since this is where the temp needs to be most accurate. Up on the side isn't the best idea.

As for hides. You can check the local dollar store for some nice gladware containers. The sandwich size ones are pretty good size for bigger babies. I love the rubbermaid containers too. Remember you can also use these containers to create a humid hide, which aids tremendously in great sheds.

It's so awesome that you are getting this all worked out before you have the snake. It makes such a difference. Big pat on the back to you!

[MedusasOwl]

Once a cage is dialed in, it should be good to go and there really shouldn't be a need to keep the thermometer in the cage constantly.

-adam

Well, that just makes too much sense. lol, thank you, will do.

I would place the probe on the ground, since this is where the temp needs to be most accurate. Up on the side isn't the best idea.

Oh, it is on the ground, I was mostly wondering if I should secure it somehow rather than it just kind of flapping around in the substrate.

It's so awesome that you are getting this all worked out before you have the snake. It makes such a difference. Big pat on the back to you!

Oh, I'm terribly anal retentive about getting it all set up ahead of time, lol! My animals are my children and I want what's best for them. Yay me! lol

[SatanicIntention]

Just MHO, I think you're going to have a bit of trouble regulating temps in that tall of a tub. Just being anal retentive too, LoL. I think I read you do have a space heater though for the room the tub is going to be in? Measure those ambient temps too!

[MedusasOwl]

Yeah, it's a little tall, but it's the lid that won me over. No way Gomez is getting out of that sucker, it locks down tight. I have a *real* vivid imagination as to what could happen to my snakes if they got loose so that kind of security gives me major piece of mind. Sucks that I might have regulation issues though...

Yes! The space heater in that room is set at 80 degrees, so if the room temp dips below 80 it turns on. I think that'll be a help. Our cockatiel and elderly kitty certainly seem to think it's a vast improvement, lol.

[SatanicIntention]

Aww, I bet the kitty and the tiel are having a blast in that room! Nice and toasty. Sounds like you shouldn't have too many problems, have fun with your new boy!

[MedusasOwl]

He's arriving tomorrow! I'm so excited! I'm even making tea for the sole purpose of needing caffine after he shows up. I'm such a night person, that's when I work and such, so I'll be tired but I know I won't be able to sleep, lol! I was the same way with my corn Falkor. *is SO giddy*

And yes, Gomez is getting spoiled, we all love that room, lol. Cozy and toasty and perfect for napping.