Temps...

Okay, I just got some Accurites and it’s either showing my cool side hotter than the hot side or it’s showing they’re the same. It’s driving me crazy. Should I just not really go by them for temp and use my temp gun bc that’s showing a more accurate reading?

Also, when using the temp gun, I want to get the reading on the bottom of the glass where the uth is, correct?
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Kind of hard to see, but it looks like the temp is 86 on both sides. That tells me your ambient temp inside the enclosure is 86. I don't know what you're keeping in there, but that seems pretty warm for most anything!

You mention you have a UTH. That does nothing for ambient temps and isn't going to raise the temp inside the enclosure, it only effects the temp of the floor directly above it. The thermometers are demonstrating this. They aren't reading the temp of the floor and not reflecting that the warm side is warm. They can only display the ambient temp. To measure the floor temp, you need the temp gun for that. Aim the temp gun as close to the heat source as you can and get your reading from there.

What is the temp on the floor and what are you keeping in there?

There is nothing confusing here. Your lamp is raising the ambient temp inside the entire enclosure and the UTH is creating a warm spot on one side. Aside from the rather high ambient temp and assuming the floor temp is appropriate, the set up seems fine.

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Originally Posted by JRLongton

Kind of hard to see, but it looks like the temp is 86 on both sides. That tells me your ambient temp inside the enclosure is 86. I don't know what you're keeping in there, but that seems pretty warm for most anything!

You mention you have a UTH. That does nothing for ambient temps and isn't going to raise the temp inside the enclosure, it only effects the temp of the floor directly above it. The thermometers are demonstrating this. They aren't reading the temp of the floor and not reflecting that the warm side is warm. They can only display the ambient temp. To measure the floor temp, you need the temp gun for that. Aim the temp gun as close to the heat source as you can and get your reading from there.

What is the temp on the floor and what are you keeping in there?

There is nothing confusing here. Your lamp is raising the ambient temp inside the entire enclosure and the UTH is creating a warm spot on one side. Aside from the rather high ambient temp and assuming the floor temp is appropriate, the set up seems fine.

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Ahhh okay. Guess I’ve got some more learning to do haha!

Just checked the hot side with temp gun and it’s 88 and cool side is 79. And as far as what I’m keeping in there, I’m using forest floor substrate, have 2 hides and a water bowl and I have a bunch of fall decor to try to clutter it up.

But thank you. I guess I was confused on all the temps and stuff. But you explained it better. And now I feel better about it.

In order to get a temp gradient you'll need to move the heat lamp. It's sitting in the middle, so the heat is spreading evenly.

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Originally Posted by craigafrechette

In order to get a temp gradient you'll need to move the heat lamp. It's sitting in the middle, so the heat is spreading evenly.

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Ahhh, okay thank you. I will fix that!

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Originally Posted by craigafrechette

In order to get a temp gradient you'll need to move the heat lamp. It's sitting in the middle, so the heat is spreading evenly.

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I noticed the same thing. If the intention is to raise ambient in the whole enclosure, it'll work. It's inefficient, but workable. It really depends a lot on what kind of animal is being kept in there, which we still don't know.

I'm not sure what your trying to keep with this set up, but if you follow Craig's advice (and I would) you could lose the UTH altogether and just heat with the lamp.

Also, I'm not seeing a thermostat. Have you got one? IF not get one.

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Originally Posted by JRLongton

I noticed the same thing. If the intention is to raise ambient in the whole enclosure, it'll work. It's inefficient, but workable. It really depends a lot on what kind of animal is being kept in there, which we still don't know.

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It's in the BP section of the forum, so I'm guessing BP.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JRLongton

I noticed the same thing. If the intention is to raise ambient in the whole enclosure, it'll work. It's inefficient, but workable. It really depends a lot on what kind of animal is being kept in there, which we still don't know.

I'm not sure what your trying to keep with this set up, but if you follow Craig's advice (and I would) you could lose the UTH altogether and just heat with the lamp.

Also, I'm not seeing a thermostat. Have you got one? IF not get one.

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When you asked what I’m keeping in there, I thought you meant the substrate and stuff. I will be keeping a ball python. I was supposed to be getting her tomorrow, but waiting until I’m certain my temps are right. I really think I’m overthinking it a lot. Making it more difficult than it really is.

And yes, I have a thermostat on my uth.

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Originally Posted by ali.randax3

When you asked what I’m keeping in there, I thought you meant the substrate and stuff. I will be keeping a ball python. I was supposed to be getting her tomorrow, but waiting until I’m certain my temps are right. I really think I’m overthinking it a lot. Making it more difficult than it really is.

And yes, I have a thermostat on my uth.

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It sounds to me like you're just one step away. Tweak the light situation and dial it in with your t-stat and you'll be good to go.
Don't over think (I know, I know, easier said than done, hahahaha). Nothing has to be "perfect". You'll learn and you'll grow. You're off to a great start. Huge props for having your set up ready BEFORE bringing your snake home.

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Originally Posted by ali.randax3

I really think I’m overthinking it a lot. Making it more difficult than it really is.

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Not to worry! It's the better way to learn. Worst case, you'll be well prepared.

A UTH is fine if the ambient temp of the room is high enough, 78 F or above. In that case a warm spot on the floor will suffice. If the ambient temp is too low, then you can't get away with a UTH and need to use something like a ceramic heat emitter (CHE), incandescent bulb, or best of all a radiant heat panel (RHP). Only in the coldest of rooms do you need both a UTH and RHP/CHE.

Try what Craig suggested and move the CHE (it is a CHE, right?) to one side to create a thermal gradient. Make sure you use a thermostat for it though!

Or you could leave it as it is, but get a second thermostat to regulate the CHE and reduce the ambient temp down to 80-82 or so. That is the lower end of comfortable BP temps and will allow her to cool off, if she feels the need.

You'll get it worked out. It looks as though you are definitely on the right track and you'll be enjoying your new snake soon.