A few heating issues

[Syka]

Hi,
I know there are several threads about temps. but i would like a little more specifics.
I just recently got my first BP and I am having a bit of difficulty with the temps. I have only had her for two days.

On the warm side it is roughly 92F, which i have been reading as an alright temperature. On the cooler side however it doesnt move above 75F. Is it ok to put a heat lamp over that side just to raise it a few degrees.
She seems to like the cooler side better and rarely goes to the warmer side... does this mean that for her 92F is too warm?
What type of dimmer swicthes are good to use to adjust the heat pad? Or should I just switch to a heat lamp instead?

My apartment is very dry due to electric heat, which is resulting in very low humidty. How can i better comtrol this? Im currently using a mixture of condensed coconut husk and aspen. The coconut stuff is made up wet which i thought would help keep moisture but this morning it was bone dry.

Any ideas are greatly appreciated
Thank You

[littleindiangirl]

Hi,
I know there are several threads about temps. but i would like a little more specifics.
I just recently got my first BP and I am having a bit of difficulty with the temps. I have only had her for two days.

On the warm side it is roughly 92F, which i have been reading as an alright temperature. On the cooler side however it doesnt move above 75F. Is it ok to put a heat lamp over that side just to raise it a few degrees.
She seems to like the cooler side better and rarely goes to the warmer side... does this mean that for her 92F is too warm?
What type of dimmer swicthes are good to use to adjust the heat pad? Or should I just switch to a heat lamp instead?

My apartment is very dry due to electric heat, which is resulting in very low humidty. How can i better comtrol this? Im currently using a mixture of condensed coconut husk and aspen. The coconut stuff is made up wet which i thought would help keep moisture but this morning it was bone dry.

Any ideas are greatly appreciated
Thank You

92 is a very good temp.

First, what are you keeping her in, what size?

When I was using a tank it was very tall, very hard to control temps. We ended up using the foil and tape over the screen and a heat lamp with coconut bark and daily misting. It was very hands on but it worked.

For the foil and tape method. Grab yourself a roll of aluminum foil, place it on top of the screen lid with the shiny side pointed down into the cage. We put I think 5 layers of foil down only leaving a cut out for our heat lamp (infrared lamp to be left on 24/7). Duct tape the edges down, or the whole thing if you'd like. This will not only insulate the heat from escaping, but will really help with the humidity.

With a heat lamp, you will have to battle the humidity every single day. It is just a fact of keeping them in a tank with those suckers.

We used coconut fiber. We had to spray it everyday to keep it moist (not wet, dont want to promote bacterial growth and mold). We sprayed the back and sides of the cage really well, and a light misting over all.

With a lamp on the cool side, you will find the temps should easily reach 80's.

Don't worry about your snakes staying on the cool side. It will worry you no doubt, but give him a week of no handling no disturbances while he adjusts to his new home. This is very important to do or you risk food refusal and stress.

Only go into the enclosure to change his water, spot clean and mist.

A few more tricks, large mouth water bowl to help in the evaporation. Okay so only one trick.. brain fart.

Hope that gets you started, any more specific questions we can sure help you out.

[Thor26]

what i did was i got a uth and an on/off thermostat so it doesnt get too cold or too hot a good one is the alife thermostat.

[Inknsteel]

A couple questions I would have are:

1. What are you using to measure the temps? Is it a digital thermometer or the stick on dial kind?

2. Where are you measuring the temp? For example, if you are measuring the air temp above the warm side hide, getting a reading of 92 while heating with a UTH, it could be too hot inside the warm hide.

3. Do you have the UTH hooked to anything to regulate the temperature? Thermostat, rheostat, dimmer, etc??

[Syka]

Thanks for the great ideas!! Never even thought of the foil.

I am keeping her in a glass aquarium, unsure of the exact size as i purchased her and the tank together.

I have two digital thermometers.. one on the cool side and one on the hot side.
Each thermometer has its own probe which i have stuck to the bottom of the tank under the substrate, under each hide.
No, I do not have it attached to anything to regulate the temps.... how easy is it to do so?

Thanks again