Help for a newbie!!

[kathys]

I am brand new to this and have a rescued BP. I have the tank set up with 2 UTHs and a temperature control. I have 2 indoor/outdoor thermomoters on each side with the probe just under the substrate and and actual unit about 4 inches from the bottom of the tank. I also have 2 separate probes that are on the glass just above the heaters. I have about gotten the temps right, but am worried becasue my UTH needs to be at about 98-100 for me to get the heat on the substrate correct. I have about 2 inches of aspen in there. Should I remove some of the aspen or change linings or cover the heaters with something (I am afraid that this will reduce my heat even more). I cannot sleep for checking on the temps all day and night.
Sorry for the long post, but just want to get this right. She has been through enough already without my struggles with the temps!

[Evan Jamison]

I am brand new to this and have a rescued BP. I have the tank set up with 2 UTHs and a temperature control. I have 2 indoor/outdoor thermomoters on each side with the probe just under the substrate and and actual unit about 4 inches from the bottom of the tank. I also have 2 separate probes that are on the glass just above the heaters. I have about gotten the temps right, but am worried becasue my UTH needs to be at about 98-100 for me to get the heat on the substrate correct. I have about 2 inches of aspen in there. Should I remove some of the aspen or change linings or cover the heaters with something (I am afraid that this will reduce my heat even more). I cannot sleep for checking on the temps all day and night.
Sorry for the long post, but just want to get this right. She has been through enough already without my struggles with the temps!

One question, how are you controlling the UTHs?

If your warm side temp is good, and your ambient temp is good, having the actual UTH at 98-100 isn't really a concern. If your BP is prone to burrowing under the substrate, you could dial it back a bit if you are that concerned, and you should be fine.

Good luck with him/her!

-Evan

[xdeus]

Hi Kathy and welcome to the site!

98-100 shouldn't be much of a concern unless you see your snake laying directly on the glass for long periods of time. Most of the time they will spend it in their hide and on the substrate which is where you want to measure your temps, however you can reduce the thickness of the substrate to about 1 inch which should let you get those temps down.

BTW, you mentioned that you have a temperature control but then said you check on the temps frequently. What kind of control do you use? I'd recommend a thermostat, preferably a proportional thermostat such as Herpstat or Helix. They'll keep your temps perfect all day and night.

[kathys]

Currently I am using rheostats (?) until I can purchase 2 thermostats. Once I have those I am sure I will be able to sleep better!

[starmom]

Since you never know when the snake is going to burrow, you must make certain to measure the temps on the glass- not on the substrate or partially through the substrate

[kathys]

Right-I have 3 different readings-ambient, substrate, and glass right above heater. That reading on the glass is what scares me....it has to be around 100 to get the substrate warm enough. I turned the heater down to 95 and put a heat lamp above to get the temps to 90 on one side. I just got my humiditiy right, so I really would rather not use the lamp, but it seems to be what is working right now.