Weird behavior...I think.....

[Weber58]

Well, I got my first thermostat and first flexwatt in the mail today. Yes, I've only been keeping a BP for about 4-5 months. Prior to flexwatt, I used a zoomed UTH. Now, my question is this: what temp do I set the thermostat to? The ambient air temp? I just really dont want to burn my snake. I also attached the zoomed to the side of the tank to help take some load off of the flexwatt and heat the tank faster. Is this an ok practice? Any help or advice would be helpful.

Also, when I went in to check on her, i turned the room lights on, and i guess went into the tank a little to quickly. She started swinging her tail around really fast and banging into the side of the tank. Could this be just because I went into the tank a little too fast?

[xdeus]

Now, my question is this: what temp do I set the thermostat to? The ambient air temp? I just really dont want to burn my snake.

I believe most people attach the thermostat probe to the flexwatt or near the flexwatt with aluminum tape outside of the enclosure. Then just adjust the thermostat until the interior temps are where they need to be by measuring with a thermometer.

really fast and banging into the side of the tank. Could this be just because I went into the tank a little too fast?

Sounds like it to me. Mine will often flinch if I move too fast near them when they don't realize I'm around.

[Weber58]

I set the therm to the normal ambient air temps and let it sit overnight, and the temps are at 73*. So, I guess I'll have to bump the therm up a bit.

[Stewart_Reptiles]

Well, I got my first thermostat and first flexwatt in the mail today. Yes, I've only been keeping a BP for about 4-5 months. Prior to flexwatt, I used a zoomed UTH. Now, my question is this: what temp do I set the thermostat to? The ambient air temp? I just really dont want to burn my snake. I also attached the zoomed to the side of the tank to help take some load off of the flexwatt and heat the tank faster. Is this an ok practice? Any help or advice would be helpful.

Also, when I went in to check on her, i turned the room lights on, and i guess went into the tank a little to quickly. She started swinging her tail around really fast and banging into the side of the tank. Could this be just because I went into the tank a little too fast?

Since you have a BP for 4 to 5 month I would think you know what temp a BP requires.



Anyway here is is you MUST provide your BP with a gradient temp of 90 to 94 on the warm side and 80 to 84 on the cool side



Your flexwatt should be place under your enclosure to provide the necessary temperature on the warm side. You need to have your flexwatt plug to your thermostat and your thermostat set between 90 to 94.



The prob of the thermostat should be place above the flexwatt.



By using your thermostat with flexwatt you will achieve the proper temp safely.

[recycling goddess]

The prob of the thermostat should be place above the flexwatt.

some people tape their probe onto the inside of the bottom of their tub right over the flex-watt... to ensure it won't move.

[Weber58]

yeah, i know the temps and the gradient thing, i just couldnt get the thermostat to read over about 75 even though it is set for about 95 right now

[sweety314]

I have 5 snakes in tanks. I've got either flexwatt OR the UTH attached to the bottom on the outside. The probe of the t-stat is taped w/aluminum tape to the INSIDE of the tank, under the bedding, with a thermometer probe close by. I set the t-stat to a differential of 1*. Yeah it clicks on and off, but my house heater doesn't always keep the different rooms at 82*.

I've also got a tank where the t-stat is controlling the heat lamp for the HOT side, and the probe is on the inside to measure what the snake is actually getting. The UTH on the other side is the cool side and w/the UTH and the ambient temp, the cool side is 84*

I've adjusted the t-stat's temp until the thermometer reads 94*. One tank has heating cable, so the t-stat probe is over the hot end and the acurite measures both hot and cold---works really slick.


Do a SEARCH. There's a whole slew of threads about different ideas and combinations on how to set up the t-stat probe, thermometers and UTH/flexwatt.

Whatever works for you! As long as you keep consistant temps at 82-84* cool and the 92-94* hot. Good luck!



RuLyn

[Sadie]

I find a temp gun really handy. My thermostat probe does not pick up the exact temperature of the heat tape, even taped down right against it, outside of the tub. My thermostat may read 77* while the heat gun reads 85* on the bottom of the tub where the snakes are sitting (for example). So I would check your temps independently from what your thermostat is reading and adjust it based on these more accurate measurements.

Also be careful about taping inside your inclosure as there is the risk of the tape coming loose and attaching or wrapping around your snake.

I have also read that heat tape should not be allowed to go above 95* as it is not designed for higher temps. I'm finding this difficult, as my snake room is rather cool.

Good luck, just play around with it until you find what works best for you.

[Weber58]

Thanks for all the info. I think I got my temps stabilized. My thermostat probe is buried under the substrate on the hot side and It reads at the most so far around 94-96. I picked up two new and better thermometers to use also. So far, so good!