Heat Help

For some reason totally unknown to me, my temperatures has dropped quite a bit. Whereas the cool side was usually between 77-81, it's now at 75. The hot side, between 87-92, now at 83. I haven't changed a thing. I checked to make sure everything was plugged in and working properly. The thermometer probes haven't moved or anything. The temperature in the room was a little lower today, cool weather, not sure how much lower. I've got a heat-lamp, a UTH and a blacklight all giving off heat and a towel that covers up about 1/4 of the top of the lid too. I went ahead and set up a space heater next to the cage.

Anyone else had their temps just sort of mysteriously drop? Anything else I should be doing?

Did someone turn on a fan?

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Originally Posted by Bobbafett

Did someone turn on a fan?

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Nope.

Seriously. I've got no logical explanation.

Is it possible that my electrical outlets are just putting out less wattage? I mean.... WTF? :confusd:

How low do temperatures have to get before I should start getting worried?

I'd be concerned if it went below 75.

Could your dimmer be the culprit? I've only used the repti r 500 rheostat and herpstats so I'd have no idea if that could be the issue.

try warming up the room the rack or cage is in to about 80 and set the hot spot at 90...

Sounds like room temp since you said the weather was cooler. What type of thermostat are you using? I have a Herpstat II and when the room temp gets cooler I can see how much more output the stat kicks out to keep my heat sources on the mark.

If you are using a glass enclosure there are ways to insulate the back and sides and still have a nice display. We are down in the lower temps here in MN this week and our tank temps are a tad lower so the Herpstat is putting out more power to keep temps up.

If you are using a dimmer instead of a true thermostat, then that plus the room temp change is absolutely the culprit. A dimmer won't adjust to external changes, it just allows the power through that you've adjusted it to, which is why dimmers should only be a very short-term solution to managing your heat sources.

If your room temps drop you will most likely have to bump up your thermostats. When it gets colder in my snake room I have to turn my back heat tubs up much higher than I do in the summer.