Questions about Glass Tank Setup

[zhang317]

I have made a plan for a 20L tank following cassandra's Glass Tank Setup (found as a sticky under BP HUsbandry) with a few changes. And Ive run into a couple of questions.

Basically, I will be using a 20L with two small Zoo Med heat pads connected to a Herpstat II. I need two heat sources both connected to a good thermostat because the tank will be placed where temperature will fluctuate.

Substrate: I really like the idea of using repticarpet under aspen, so the snake will never come in contact with the glass, which is slippery and can be harder to move for the snake. But is that necessary? And I understand that the snake can have direct contact with the glass as long as the UTH has a thermostat. Lastly, it seems like repticarpet has a pretty bad rep for being a bacteria breeding ground, and is hard to clean/maintain.

Placement of Probes: I was thinking of using cassandra's idea of securing the probes with repticarpet, or placing them inside each of the hides. But I it some more research and it seems that the thermostat probes should be placed outside of the tank where the snake cannot temper with it, and should be placed directly on the heat pad. If I were to do what with the Zoo Meds, should I place the probe between the sticky part of the Zoo Med pad and the glass tank? or on the other side of the pad?

thanks in advance!

[littleindiangirl]

No need for reptile carpet in my opinion. And the thermostat probe should be on the heating element.

[Spaniard]

I have made a plan for a 20L tank following cassandra's Glass Tank Setup (found as a sticky under BP HUsbandry) with a few changes. And Ive run into a couple of questions.

Basically, I will be using a 20L with two small Zoo Med heat pads connected to a Herpstat II. I need two heat sources both connected to a good thermostat because the tank will be placed where temperature will fluctuate.

Substrate: I really like the idea of using repticarpet under aspen, so the snake will never come in contact with the glass, which is slippery and can be harder to move for the snake. But is that necessary? And I understand that the snake can have direct contact with the glass as long as the UTH has a thermostat. Lastly, it seems like repticarpet has a pretty bad rep for being a bacteria breeding ground, and is hard to clean/maintain.

The repticarpet is not necessary, like you said it has a really bad reputation for being unsanitary and would really serve no purpose under the aspen. Your snakes movement will not be hindered in anyway without it.

Placement of Probes: I was thinking of using cassandra's idea of securing the probes with repticarpet, or placing them inside each of the hides. But I it some more research and it seems that the thermostat probes should be placed outside of the tank where the snake cannot temper with it, and should be placed directly on the heat pad. If I were to do what with the Zoo Meds, should I place the probe between the sticky part of the Zoo Med pad and the glass tank? or on the other side of the pad?

If I were you I would attached the probes between the stick side and the glass. You then adjust the temps on your thermostat until you reached your desired temperatures in the tank. It may be a good idea to have a thermometer on the glass inside the enclosure to have an idea what the temps are. Sometimes if you have to much substrate the heat will not transfer and you end up with really hot glass even though your temps might be accurate at the substrate level where your snake is.

thanks in advance!