Finished a Weekend Project

So they wife and I had planned to build a simple shelving unit to hold our two python terrariums, but the stars hadn't aligned until this weekend so we set to it on Saturday morning.

We picked up an Exo Terra Large/Wide Terrarium from Craigslist, and then stopped by the LLLReptile store in Menifee, CA. (I think Zach and Noah were the ones who helped us. They were great)
At the Menifee store we picked up a gram scale, a large Flukers heat mat, and a Helix DBS-1000. Unfortunately they only had one of the Helix Thermostats so we decided we'd drive to the Oceanside store.... I mean, we'd already driven 100+ miles... whats a few more?

LLLReptile's Oceanside store was... disappointing. We were able to pick up another thermostat, a couple Exo-Terra moist hides, and some nice climbing branches for the snakes. The disappointing side was getting some one to show us anything. One guy was really excited to show us the Enchi balls, but once his sister showed up he abandoned us promising to be right back. We waiting by the cases for 30 minutes before giving up. We couldn't even find anyone to ask instead of the guy that abandoned us, they were all super busy in the back. Its ok, I didn't really need another snake this week. We just drove home.


Anyways... this is the set up I've ended up with:

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b3...ps5c9934c7.jpg


http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b3...pse67517d3.jpg


http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b3...ps6c277118.jpg


I have the a Mat, a CHE, and a Red Light all ran by the Helix. It is set a bit higher than I'd like it, but its holding the temps well, and the probe is sitting directly on the mat. The heat through the glass comes across as about 3 degrees lower than my setting. I imagine this will normalize eventually as the glass and substrate gets warmed up, and I'll be checking the temps over the next few days. Also the humidity is high, and I haven't figured that out just yet. With a screen top I should have a horrible time controlling humidity.


I think what I like most about this shelf is that there is storage underneath for all my supplies

Your Helix is not capable of controlling all the devices at the same time unless they are all the exact same wattage. ;)

Thank you for posting this! I just got this same tank for my first ball and I haven't got it all setup yet. I've been nervous about not being able to keep the right humidity even though I've read how to setup a tank properly. You have calmed some of my fears. The tank looks great by the way. :gj:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by PitOnTheProwl

Your Helix is not capable of controlling all the devices at the same time unless they are all the exact same wattage. ;)

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Is that based off of experience or the manual?

I checked the manual, and it implies that varying wattages can be combined up to 500 watts. But I know that sometimes things don't work as advertised/implied.

My lamp and CHE are both 100w, but my mat is only 20.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Tragic Image

Is that based off of experience or the manual?

I checked the manual, and it implies that varying wattages can be combined up to 500 watts. But I know that sometimes things don't work as advertised/implied.

My lamp and CHE are both 100w, but my mat is only 20.

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Both as well as my electricsl knowledge. Max wattage is 500 but accurate temperature is only on equal loads.

Sorry for the short post, I was trying to leave for lunch.
So what is the actual temperature of the UTH and where is the probe placement of the Helix?
Seeing that you have 2 Helix stats, you could use one for UTH as long as both are the same and the other for the over head heat.

The probe is between the glass and heat pad. Actual temp on glass right now is 92, air temp is 84/79. It's been holding constant since about 5pm yesterday.


Each tank is a mirror of the other as far as heat sources.

The probe is in the perfect spot. It might work out for you there because its measuring the mat and not the overhead. I am not too worry about the overhead as your snakes raly cant get burned there. Have you tried temping your CHE to see what its putting out?
The best thing is you are regulating the one that matters most.

And sorry i havent mentioned yet but both set ups look good.

The CHE's measure < 200 degrees on the bulb. There is nothing nearby that would let them climb to it. At 6 inches away the temp drops to 130 degrees as measured on a piece of .060" ti plate when left there for 10 minutes, basking level the temp is near perfect when measured on some stacking stones/ceramic hides.

The setup is very nice, But I have to agree with Pit on the Helix not being able to properly control all those devices. I mean sure its working, but with the probe being so far away from the CHE I doubt it's actually controlling it accurately. And with the Helix being a dimming style proportional thermostat, I doubt it's doing any good having the lamp hooked to it. I do believe you are heading in the right direction though. Good luck