Importance of cool side temperatures?

[aeio540]

Okay, I've been having this problem with Motoko's 22L tub. The temperatures on the cool side seem to fluxuate. I can't seem to figure it out why. My BP's tank stays 79-83 degrees on the cool side but this morning I found my RTB's cool side at 70 degrees! ! !

Well the thing is that her warm side was ~92 degrees give or take. So I took my IR thermometer and measured the area she was in and she was laying in 72 degrees.

Well I can't figure out why I have such a high temperature gradient with a sterlite tub. They're supposed to be better I thought.

Second, how important is it to have 80-85 degree cool spot? It's not like the entire enclosure goes down to that temperature.

P.S. My wife turned off the heater because it was warm a few days ago and I didn't know until the temperature dropped this morning.

[Shelby]

It's really important to keep the entire cage in the proper temp gradient. Unfortunately snakes aren't smart enough to know not to sit on the cold side, and they can make themselves sick (respiratory infection, or not being able to digest food properly)

What are you using to heat the cage? You might need to add a red bulb or ceramic heat emitter to get the heat to the proper level.

[pythontricker]

Whats an ri thermometer and were can you get one?

[aeio540]

What are you using to heat the cage? You might need to add a red bulb or ceramic heat emitter to get the heat to the proper level.

I am using a heating pad and a lamp w/red lightbulb. I have moved the heat lamp to heat up the cooler side and I am watching the temperature on the hot side like a hawk through out the night. (hooray for Coffee!).

Whats an ri thermometer and were can you get one?

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=93983

I was kind of skeptical at first but I've compared the readings to 3 other thermometers and the only variation was about ~1 degree. So I figure it is pretty accurate. I use wal-mart probe thermometers but I like being able to check on instant readings around the cage at times. You'd be surprised what can get really hot and what doesn't.

[Shelby]

Well, if the warm side dips too low, then stick the red bulb back over there and maybe get a second one with a lower wattage to sit on the cool side. You'll want to watch your humidity though, those bulbs suck up all the moisture in the air.

[aeio540]

I think I will have to get the second lamp. She is spending her time in the edges of the tub and the temperature around there is 75 degrees. I removed her hides because she did not use them one bit. She seems to prefer to coil up out in the open at the edges. The thing is the interior temperature at the cool end is 80 degrees but the temperature of the tub walls are about 74-76 degrees and she is always pressed against them. When I measured her temperature she was at 74 degrees. ACK!