Correcting my mistakes (Setup)

I just signed up on this forum so I suppose this is just as much an introduction, but please read the entire post before answering my questions, thank you!

First I would like to start with this: Everything I was told is wrong. I was lied to by the people I thought would help me begin the exploration into snake keeping (aka Petco). I am not here to talk about that, so please don't speak further of it. I am here to seek guidance and right my wrongs as a snake owner.

Currently, I have a (less than 1 year) Mojave Ball Python in a 10 gallon terrarium and a completely wrong set up. She is not a lizard and should not be housed like one... With help from a few people who ACTUALLY know what they are talking about, as well as reasearch of my own, I decided to go with a 32.1L locking bin until upgrade is required. I have aquired MOST of what is necessary and even melted a few holes, with room for more if humidity is too high upon completion.

Now for the questions:

1. Where is the ideal location for the UTH; under the "hot side" hide, OR, should it go in the center for even heating?

2. I've read here that Ranco makes superior controllers, this is what I am missing. Before I actually place the order, is this the right thing? It is on sale for over half off on Amazon! (56% off!)

http://www.amazon.com/RANCO-ETC-1110.../dp/B0015NV5BE

3. I have also read on this forums that thermoSTAT probe goes on the pad outside the bin, and thermoMETER goes inside and above the mat. Does the device itself go inside, or just the one probe? Please explain how this should go, I don't want to mess up such an important step. D:


Thank you for taking the time if anyone actually reads this all, I really appreciate any assistance I can get for this situation.

We all made mistakes when we got started. Good for you for doing your research and for being open minded to improving your setup. I've noticed a lot of new people asking for advice but are unwilling to change what they have.
1. You want to have a "hot side" and "cool side" so have your UTH on only one side of the tub so that about 1/3 of the tub being heated. I like to have a hide over the UTH and one away from it.
2. Sorry I don't know anything about that brand
3. You will have the tstat probe between the UTH and the glass (Is somewhat tricky if you are using a heat pad) but when you monitor the temps you will measure the plastic inside of the tub above the heat source. Sounds like you are using a digital thermometer which I used to use as well. I put the thermometers probe under the bedding inside of the hide above the heat source but that can be a problem. 1) the probe is not capable of reading the temps of the plastic its self which is the thing that will actually burn your snake. That has to be monitored by either a temp gun or I've found digital meat cooking thermometers to work accurately as well. 2) if the snake were to pee in the hide it will ruin that probe and since many digital thermometer don't have replaceable probes, it will then be junk. Those thermometers are great for keeping track of your ambient temp and humidity if it has that feature included. Depending on the type you have, the device it's self may need to go in. I know accurite had an ambient temp gage and humidity gage built into the device so it would have to be inside. I prefer the type that can be out so the snakes don't mess it up
Hope I was able to explain all this clearly

Thanks for the reply! Currently I only have the stick-on thermometer and humidity gagues, but they're rumored to be inaccurate (and probably are). What are some better options if not the digital?

Alot of people use acurite thermometers that can be found at Walmart for $13. I hot glue the probe above the uth inside of the tub and it doesn't get moved around by the snake that way. The actual unit I leave inside the tub usually near the front(cool side) facing out so I can easily read the Temps.

http://mobile.walmart.com/ip/Acu-Rit...47?type=search

As for ranco I have never dealt with that brand I'd recommend herpstat or vivarium electronics.

Get yourself a laser heat gun, I bought mine (a Ryobi) at home depot less than $30. I check my temps with that baby and correlate it with the display of my analogs that are on the side of the rack enclosures. I use the laser to verify substrate temp as indicated on the digital display on my thermostat. I even check the surface temps of my snakes (when on hot and cool side).

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Originally Posted by barovsoap

Now for the questions:

1. Where is the ideal location for the UTH; under the "hot side" hide, OR, should it go in the center for even heating?

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Under the hot side, the snake needs to be able to choose between being hot or being cool. Placement in the center won't give them much choice

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2. I've read here that Ranco makes superior controllers, this is what I am missing. Before I actually place the order, is this the right thing? It is on sale for over half off on Amazon! (56% off!)

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My opinion is that Ranco is garbage. I've had several that quit working after only a couple of years often to the deterament of my snakes. Once it caused a rack to run it's heat tape at full power and I lost several animals. I've had good success with the very similar Johnson thermostats but I currently prefer the Vivarium Electronics brand http://www.reptilebasics.com/thermostats Or the Helix systems http://helixcontrols.com/
I know some people don't trust them but I've also had good luck with the hydrofarm themostats as well. http://www.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-MTPR...gy_misc_text_y

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3. I have also read on this forums that thermoSTAT probe goes on the pad outside the bin, and thermoMETER goes inside and above the mat. Does the device itself go inside, or just the one probe? Please explain how this should go, I don't want to mess up such an important step. D:

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Just the probe. You really don't want any electronics inside the cage where they could get soaked by an overturned waterbowl.

Thanks for the continued replies, everyone! I picked up a Zilla thermohydrometer and have her in the bin in the hottest room in the house. The meter is telling me temp under the substrate is F 74° and opposite just above the waterbowl is saying 51% humidity. This may not be ideal, but it is already a HUGE improvement from what she was in before. I do have the UTH attached, but I do not want to power it without the proper temperature controller. I am definitely going to check through all the links everyone has provided and see what I think of them.

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Originally Posted by MarkS

Just the probe. You really don't want any electronics inside the cage where they could get soaked by an overturned waterbowl.

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I understand this, but it will most likely not be a problem for me. The dish I use is an Exo Terra large size. It is nearly impossible to tip over, and is buried slightly in the aspen. I will keep this in mind with my future purchases, though.

Thermo-hygro-meter, not hydro. This one to be exact:

http://www.amazon.com/Zilla-11577-Te...r/dp/B004PBB1X

@BumbleB the link was loading weird on my Kindle, but I did chexk that out. The one I now have seems to be a better investment for the added humidity readings. That is unless I am a moron and skipped the line telling exactly that.

@Jwkempo I will look further into that as a "second opinion" for temp reading.