Might as well introduce myself now.

Heyas.

Ive posted once in the ferret thread but i might as well introduce myself now.

Im from Canuckistan, and I just got my first BP yesterday. I friend at work is a breeder of a few different reptiles and he finally convinced me to get one.
Ive been lurking on this site for a while.

I dont have any pics of the little one yet but her name is Cleo (aka cleopatra) and she is an 09 CH normal, but super pretty. Once her settling in period is over I will take some pictures. She lives in a little tub with a hide and water bowl she also uses as a hide, on paper towel. When she is bigger i may splurge on an RBI or Vision cage.

I also have a dog, cat and 3 ferrets.

Question about temps.

When speaking of temperatures, does the "hot" side temp mean the temp of the heat pad? Ive read that the thermometer probe should be between the heat pad and the tank correct? So then the ambient temp (temp actually inside the enclosure) would be a little lower? Ive read so many things my brain hurts lol. My heat pad is in good range, the general ambient temp of the bin is about 82 degrees and humidity is fine. I need to get a better digital thermometer, as I couldnt find the acu rite ones, all i could find were wireless :S Might just order a temp gun cause it looks like fun and I can get one the same price as the digital thermometers with probes that i have seen online... If i should start a new thread for answers on that let me know. Ive read back on a bunch of threads about it (seems popular) but I think the wording is just where im at a loss. lol.

thanks! looks forward to readin more and showing off my lil' lady in a week or so.

welcome to the forum

lance

:welcome:

I have a Cleo too. :D

About the temps.

You might be able to get the thermometer with the probe on ebay - or one very much like it.

When we give the readings for the desired temps we do indeed have specific locations in mind.

Warm end = we actually mean inside the warm end hide where the snake will be.

Cool end = again we normally mean inside the cool end hide.

Ambient = the cool end outside the hide. :)

The probe that goes between the heat mat and the underside of the enclosure is the thermostat probe. This is to make sure the snake cannot affect the reading by P'ing on it or moving it off the heatpad - both of which could lead to dangerous overheating.

The thermometer probe gets moved around a bit during the setup phase;

First put it under the substrate directly on the cage bottom above the heat source inside the warm end hide - this is the maximum temp the snake should be able to get to so adjust the thermostat until you get a thermometer reading of 93-95f.

Secondly put it inside the warm end hide on top of the substrate and adjust the depth/ type of the substrate until the thermometer reads 90-93f.

Thirdly put the thermometer probe inside the cool end hide above the substrate - you want this to be 80-82f.

And lastly, You put the thermometer probe some where just to monitor for changes ( I tend to use the warm end hide ) and the thermometer base unit on the cool end to read the ambient temp and humidity - if it is that kind of thermometer unit. :)

To fix the probe or base unit in place if you need to use a few dabs from a hot glue gun or silicon sealant ( but remember to let it cure before putting the animal back in the tank ) - definately no tape inside the enclosure unless it is low-tack painters tape.

The last bit is kind of a bug-bear of mine. :oops:


dr del

:welcome: to the forum. From personal experience, I tape a piece of plastic, from a broken tub, one the bottom side of the heat pad, and tape the probe to that. I do not like to place my probe between the heat pad and the plastic because the heat pad will throw off probe since the heat pad heats up so quick. This will give you a better read out of your hot spot inside of your tub. Good luck!

awesome thanks guys! Exactly the way I needed to hear it lol!
Think im gonna grab a temp gun because it will cost me the same amount as ordering a digital unit online even on ebay, unless i get one of the ones from Hong Kong, which I just dont trust.

Welcome to BP.net :welcome: