What light? Thermometer Placement

Still haven't completed my daughter's first snake set-up ( Schools about to start etc.) Anyways I realize that BP don't require a light but may need one for the ambient temps? I haven't set it up yet but we are going to use a 10 gal. tank ( even though some say tubs are easier) So what would be recommended for a light bulb? We have a 8.5" clamp light to set on the screen we picked up from Walmart, but still need a reptile bulb.

Also where should we attach the thermometer's probe ? Hot side,cools side, in the middle, top of tank, bottom of the tank?

I've read to place our thermostat probe right between our UTH pad that it controls and the bottom of the glass.. So I guess I should mention this will provide some ambient heat also when it comes to picking the right bulb..?

Thanks! Bill in Indiana

Read through the Caresheet and use the Glass Tank Setup guide.

A light on the tank will burn your snake. If you HAVE to use a light, it needs to be held away from the mesh.

You will want the thermostat probe where you said and also a thermometer inside the tank (probe on hot side and thermometer on cool side to read both temps).

Thermostat probe sounds good, just make sure you put a probe right on the glass above the UTH, under the substrate. Set your thermostat at whatever temp it needs to be to get the thermometer to read about 90*.

I would also have another thermometer on the cool end of the tank to measure the ambient temperature. If you keep your house at or above 75*f then you probably don't need a light. If you keep it colder, you could get a low wattage red bulb and use it with a dimmer to only heat the tank a little bit.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Talae

Read through the Caresheet and use the Glass Tank Setup guide.

A light on the tank will burn your snake. If you HAVE to use a light, it needs to be held away from the mesh.
.

---

Where does it say that? I see that is says to place the Ceramic Heat Emitter only an half inch away from the mesh.. I would think that would burn more than a bulb.

- - - Updated - - -

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Kaorte

Thermostat probe sounds good, just make sure you put a probe right on the glass above the UTH, under the substrate. Set your thermostat at whatever temp it needs to be to get the thermometer to read about 90*.

---

Oh.. I was thinking the probe went Outside the tank. Like under the glass bottom.. Seems I read somewhere about the snake might move it or something?

Quote:

---

I would also have another thermometer on the cool end of the tank to measure the ambient temperature. If you keep your house at or above 75*f then you probably don't need a light. If you keep it colder, you could get a low wattage red bulb and use it with a dimmer to only heat the tank a little bit.

---

75 is where it is now.. in the summer time. I was more concerned in the winter if it happens to dip a little lower down around 72 or so..I try not to get killed on my Gas bill...Haha

A probe to a tstat can be between the uth and the glass, that way it can't be moved. The probe to the thermometer needs to be inside so you have the correct interior surface temp. The substrate needs to be thin over the uth because it will insulate and not allow the heat all the way through. Many use a IR temp gun to get the surface temp.

For bulbs I like using lamp stands. I keep a cold home and over my forty gallon tank I have this set up.
http://i1151.photobucket.com/albums/...g/eb6ed05a.jpg
With the stand you can raise it and lower it to get the desired temperature. You can't see it but most of my screen is covered to trap heat and humidity.

What type of timer do you have for the dual lamp fixture?
I can see where a stand would be easier since you put it that way.. I was going to try an control the ambient by turning down the UTH's thermostat to compensate for the lamps heat. Now that I think about it that would just take away his belly heat.
Still learning.. Thanks

I use this. They make a digital model as well but the analog one has worked just fine for me and is a good bit cheaper. The main difference is the digital has a battery back up so in the event you lose power it will still have the right time set.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ls_o04_s00_i04

Or you could get a regular light timer from home depot or lowes for like $5.