2 Quick Noob Questions

I'm getting my first BP shortly and am currently trying to get the temperatures to work correctly...I have a couple quick questions.

1. How many layers of newspaper should I put under the substrate (Jungle Mix by Zilla). I have one full sheet folded in half on each side plus 1 half sheet of newspaper covering more of it, so basically 3 sheets thick. Is that fine or do you normally put one sheet down covering the bottom glass?

2. Does the thermostat probe for the UTH need to be on top of the substrate or burried a bit?

Also, any tips/advice you can give me to get the temps to set right would be great! I think thats it for now. Thanks for the help in advance!

I use only newspaper for my substrate. You can use as much news paper as you feel necessary I use 2 sheets overlapping. I keep my probe under the substrate. Get a temp gun to help monitor your temps...

I wouldn't use newspaper under the substrate, that is asking for mold issues.

The best place for the thermostat probe is outside of the tank attached directly to the UTH. You then put your thermoneters probe on the floor of the cage directly over the UTH. For the UTH to be effective you need to have your substrate layer 1/2" thick or less.

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Originally Posted by The Serpent Merchant

I wouldn't use newspaper under the substrate, that is asking for mold issues.

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I never thought about that. Good point! :gj:

So I have my UTH T-stat probe inside the tub over the UTH ofcourse. I assumed this would ensure that the inside of the tub was indeed reaching the desired temp. Is this a no-no?

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Originally Posted by Andybill

I never thought about that. Good point! :gj:

So I have my UTH T-stat probe inside the tub over the UTH ofcourse. I assumed this would ensure that the inside of the tub was indeed reaching the desired temp. Is this a no-no?

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It can be done (and will even provide more exact temperatures) but there is a safety concern. If the snake can move the probe or dump water on it there is a chance that the probe will read a much lower temperature than the cage actually is and can result in burns.

Aren't you supposed to put something under the substrate on the bottom glass to prevent the possibility of burns in case the BP burrows?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by The Serpent Merchant

I wouldn't use newspaper under the substrate, that is asking for mold issues.

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Aren't you supposed to put something under the substrate on the bottom glass to prevent the possibility of burns in case the BP burrows?

Well I use these little suction cups to hold my probe to the container and I do daily checks for anything that would seem unusual and for messes. I am really picky about where my water bowls are so they dont get close to the probe.... My temps all register accurately.... I think I might change it so as not to risk my probe getting compromised...

That is what the thermostat is for. It needs to be set so the floor of the cage does not exceed 95 degrees. This is also why the substrate layer needs to be thin... Because the floor of the cage shouldn't be too hot.

Further a layer of newspaper isn't going to reduce the temperature or prevent a ball python from getting to the floor of the cage. There is no substitute for a good thermostat and a good thermometer.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by The Serpent Merchant

You then put your thermoneters probe on the floor of the cage directly over the UTH.

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How do you prevent your snake from moving that probe all over the place or getting wrapped up in the cable? With PVC you could probably screw it down (acutemp) but what about with a glass cage?