Substrates and temperatures.

[Kathleen]

Hi. I just recently bought my first BP on 11/18. Originally, I had it housed in a 10 gallon tank but it seemed a bit small so I upgraded to a 20 gallon long tank that I set up on 11/25. Here's a picture for reference (I took this before I purchased my Acu-Rite thermometer, so it's not in the picture):



The warm (right) side is heated by a UTH and the cool (left) side is heated by a black light (I'm not sure of the wattage but it keeps the temp. right around 80-82). I still need to buy a thermo/rheostat for the UTH but for the past few days, the temp. was fine at about 90-92. It started to climb today and upon taking a closer look, I realized my coconut mulch had dried out (it was originally a little damp from when I had soaked it to expand it) and that it wasn't providing as much "coverage" over the UTH. I just added in a bit more to thicken it but I was wondering if I should still put something else beneath the substrate so that, even if the mulch gets moved around, my snake will never come into contact with the hot glass underneath? If I should/need to do this, what would make a good "barrier" without affecting the UTH's ability to provide belly heat? I'm trying really hard to find a balance between the substrate and the temperature and could use any tips you guys have.

Also, my humidity is too high. Any tips on lowering it?

[wisski]

No expert but I think the mulch is too wet. I have a tank with repti bark and cant keep the humidity high enough. I am switching to half repti bark and coco bark myself. Also maybe the green stuff (pad) might help as a barrier. Also I just
purchased an AcuRite any ideas on how to attach without using tape?

[Kathleen]

Yeah, it's still damp in some places right now so do you think once it dries (it's on its way!), the humidity will come down to an appropriate level?

Would cage carpet "block" some of the heat? I'm new to UTH's and I guess I need to learn how to tweak the conditions to achieve the right temperatures.

[Noek]

Hi, just use a good thermostat to monitor the temps and you wont have to worry about him/her coming into contact.

I put my thermostat prob on the outside between the uth and the enclosure....if I keep it around 105 or so, the inside is only about 94-96, with the top of the substrate being about 90-92....

You use a black light to keep the cool side temps warm, so you shouldn't have to worry about the uth heating the cool side, so you dont have to worry about running it hot...if that makes sense

for humidity being too high, keep the water dish on the cool side

[dr del]

Hi,

I would just think about picking up a rheostat as a temporary measure till you could get the thermostat - how stable are the room temperatures?


dr del

[Kathleen]

Thanks for the feedback.

That's a good question, Dr. Del. I put the thermostat in my apartment around 74 but my roommate keeps lowering it behind my back because she's trying to make our electricity cheaper by turning my pets and me into Popsicles. It should be sticking around there, though.

[dr del]

Hi,

Then a rheostat is a viable stand in really - I think I remember people recomending a lamp dimmer from lowes for $11 but a forum search might help find your ideal product and source.


dr del

[Kathleen]

All right, thanks.

I have another question which is sort of off-topic. My BP doesn't seem too fussed about hiding and sometimes curls up in front of its hide on the cool side and seems to watch me. My laptop is right in front of the cage (it's on a desk with the space of a small kitchen table) so it's used to seeing me there pretty often (I'm an English major and I write papers... a lot). Should I be concerned? I chose my BP because it seemed really outgoing. It can still be a little shy when I'm handling it but it really doesn't seem to mind me at all and I just wanted to make sure it's all right...

I'm so paranoid. I'm scheduling a veterinary appointment soon to get it probed and checked up, which will hopefully ease all my worries...

[patrick76]

Where can i get a thermostate for a UTH?