temps arrrggghhh

[pavy]

i would just like to say these forums are cool i,ve learned so much reading about stuff i just bought my first ball 2 weeks ago and everything seems fine with him. He's eaten twice now but only eats live maybe i'll try to get him on f/t . My only question is i have a accurite themometer and i have the probe on the hot side its stuck to the glass bottom over the heating pad and under repticarpet it reads 94-95 degrees does this seem okay because i guess on top off the repticarpet its going to be a couple of degrees below that. Thanks for all your help everyone.

[JLC]

You can unstick the probe and move it to the top of the substrate...tuck it under the warmside hide and see what the temps are there. While it's good to know the temps of the glass to prevent burn risks...you also need to know the temps where you're snake is actually hanging out.

[stl_fan]

You can unstick the probe and move it to the top of the substrate...tuck it under the warmside hide and see what the temps are there. While it's good to know the temps of the glass to prevent burn risks...you also need to know the temps where you're snake is actually hanging out.

I have my lead on the warm side outside of the hide. Wouldn't it be better to know the warmest temperature in the tank rather than the shaded temp inside the hide? I am using a heat lamp for the time being (UTH is in the mail), I would imagine the hide on the warm side is a couple of degrees lower than the temperature of the substrate directly under the light.

[joepythons]

I have my lead on the warm side outside of the hide. Wouldn't it be better to know the warmest temperature in the tank rather than the shaded temp inside the hide? I am using a heat lamp for the time being (UTH is in the mail), I would imagine the hide on the warm side is a couple of degrees lower than the temperature of the substrate directly under the light.

STL_fan,you want to know the exact temp of where your snake sets not outside his hide.I do know your temps are a big differance inside the hide then outside his hide since you are using a light for heat.I am glad you have a UTH on the way though.Now for Pavy,word of advice throw that carpet crap in the garbage.That stuff will hold bacteria and other things that are unhealthy for you and your snake.I used that stuff in the beggining and found out the hard way about what lies amongst the carpet and it killed the snake i had then .That stuff is like a sponge soaking up bacteria.I use every day newspaper for my substrate for all of my snakes.I have not had any problems at all,plus its easy to clean up.Just for info purposes no the ink does not come off onto the snake .

[stl_fan]

Now for Pavy,word of advice throw that carpet crap in the garbage.That stuff will hold bacteria and other things that are unhealthy for you and your snake.

Thank you for you help. Now on the subject of the carpeting - I have heard and read it is a bad idea to use, but if you are using a UTH, how do you keep your snake protected from being burned by the UTH? I haven't received or installed mine yet, but it sounds as if you mount it directly to the bottom of the tank. I use a dirt-like reptile substrate, but I would think the risk would be even greater using newpaper as substrate. Just curious...

Are there any tips or tricks to mounting this, or should I just follow the directions that it comes with?

[JLC]

Thank you for you help. Now on the subject of the carpeting - I have heard and read it is a bad idea to use, but if you are using a UTH, how do you keep your snake protected from being burned by the UTH? I haven't received or installed mine yet, but it sounds as if you mount it directly to the bottom of the tank. I use a dirt-like reptile substrate, but I would think the risk would be even greater using newpaper as substrate. Just curious...

Are there any tips or tricks to mounting this, or should I just follow the directions that it comes with?

That's why a UTH should always be attached to a thermostat...or at the very least, a rheostat (dimmer switch). You're right that an uncontrolled UTH poses a high risk for burns.

[joepythons]

That's why a UTH should always be attached to a thermostat...or at the very least, a rheostat (dimmer switch). You're right that an uncontrolled UTH poses a high risk for burns.

I could not have said it any better .

[joepythons]

Thank you for you help. Now on the subject of the carpeting - I have heard and read it is a bad idea to use, but if you are using a UTH, how do you keep your snake protected from being burned by the UTH? I haven't received or installed mine yet, but it sounds as if you mount it directly to the bottom of the tank. I use a dirt-like reptile substrate, but I would think the risk would be even greater using newpaper as substrate. Just curious...

Are there any tips or tricks to mounting this, or should I just follow the directions that it comes with?

Now what do you mean by dirt like substrate? If its potting soil i would not recommend using it since it will hold moisture and inturn you will have your humidity to high.

[JLC]

He probably means the shredded coconut husk (Bed-a-beast, etc)...looks like dirt, but doesn't act like dirt. An excellent substrate for many reptiles.

[stl_fan]

Now what do you mean by dirt like substrate? If its potting soil i would not recommend using it since it will hold moisture and inturn you will have your humidity to high.

Oh no, not potting soil, I do usually use shredded coconut husk, but this past time I purchased some type of substrate for lizzards and snakes that is a bit different. Little Atreyu seems to like it though

As for the thermostat issue, would the unit below (ESU electronic temperature controller) work well with a UTH ? I am short on cash right now or I would spring for the Spyder Herpstat, but this seems like it will do the job without me having to constantly adjust it (like I would have to do with a rheostat).