Maintaining Ambient Temp in Glass Tank

My current ambient temp is around 70-75F. I am using a sticker thermometer, going to change to a digital reader soon. What can I do to the glass tank to help it maintain a higher temp? I am only using a UTH on one side of the tank. I am not able to heat the room the tank is in. I don't have the option of moving the tank to another room. Any suggestions?

First off those stick thermometers are not accurite. You can find digital thermometers at walmart for $8.

You could try covering a portion of the screen (or wire, whatever kind you use) top with plastic wrap or plexi glass.

Another thing you can do that has another benefit besides heat retention is covering the back and two sides of the tank with something. The thicker the better, as it will insulate it, so if you can, styrofoam would work fantastically. It'll also help make the animal inside it feel more secure :)

You could bump up the thermostat on the UTH, or, if you don't have one, buy a heat lamp for temporary heat. Just be sure to put the lamp on a thermostat or it will cook your snake.

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Originally Posted by SMSReptiles

First off those stick thermometers are not accurite. You can find digital thermometers at walmart for $8.

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i see what you did there! ;)

If you haven't done so already definitely cover try to cover up most of the screen top with something aluminum foil works well for this use about 3 layers shinny side down, remember to leave some open space for ventilation, just remember heat rises so you will lose a lot of heat out a screen top.
a ceramic heat lamp, or nocturnal bulb such as red or black can also be used. I would recommend ether buying a fixture with a built in dimmer or add a rheostat which is the same thing that way you can adjust it for the correct temperature.

also what size tank do you have?

Side mounting a UTH is a waste. I side mounted mine because I was worried about the UTH burning the table the tanks were on or starting a fire or something. The UTH couldn't raise the temp in the tank at all. Even in a warm room. Use this guide and get that sucker off of the side and restick it to the bottom.