The floor is lava! Lol

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e1...ps4zxvsou2.jpg

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e1...pssoruicon.jpg

Nice pics.

I noticed the temp reading is 70F and the humidity is 75%. I don't trust those gauges too much, but the humidity seems high unless in shed and temps low.

Are checking ground temps with an IR temp gun? If so, and they are 86-90F hot side and 78-80F cool side with ambient about 82-84F, then you are okay temp wise. I still would get the humidity down a little for when not in shed. I aim for 50-60% and 65-70% only in shed.

I also recommend the same hides on both sides of the tank so the BP doesn't pick the more secure spot over temperature regulation. The hide with the small hole is also way better than the open hides for your BP to feel secure.

Sorry if I am being intrusive, but I thought mentioning it might help.

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Originally Posted by dakski

Nice pics.

I noticed the temp reading is 70F and the humidity is 75%. I don't trust those gauges too much, but the humidity seems high unless in shed and temps low.

Are checking ground temps with an IR temp gun? If so, and they are 86-90F hot side and 78-80F cool side with ambient about 82-84F, then you are okay temp wise. I still would get the humidity down a little for when not in shed. I aim for 50-60% and 65-70% only in shed.

I also recommend the same hides on both sides of the tank so the BP doesn't pick the more secure spot over temperature regulation. The hide with the small hole is also way better than the open hides for your BP to feel secure.

Sorry if I am being intrusive, but I thought mentioning it might help.

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Great reply. I just noticed the same things.

Unfortunately, OP, those dial style analog thermometers/hygrometers are wildly inaccurate (up to 15%) donuts worth getting a few digitals. I use Accurite brand, but there are others. I get them at Walmart or Amazon for around $10 each.

You definitely want to get those ambient temps up, 75 should be absolute minimum while 78-80 is ideal for the cool side.

I even go a bit lower humidity wise than dakski with my BPs. I make sure it never dips below 40% but boost it to 65-70% during shed.

I know you just came to share pics, but I figured it can't hurt to share my experience and thoughts.

Thanks to both of you. In this pic I had the top off for a bit adding new substrate so it's a little different than usual. But I'm still struggling to keep the ambient temperature higher. I have one heat pad in the left corner. Should I get another? After reading this i removed some of the damp substrate to get the humidity down. I'm new at this so please, anytime there is a chance to give advice please do. It will ALWAYS be welcome!! Thanks again to both of you.

Advice is never intrusive. I'm learning and that's why I signed up to this forum. I want my snake to be happy and healthy and I would rather not learn my by mistakes know? I have a northern brown snake that I caught at work and she doesn't need heat or anything like that. Any advice is helpful and never hesitate to help me out please. Thanks you.

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Originally Posted by Damien79

Thanks to both of you. In this pic I had the top off for a bit adding new substrate so it's a little different than usual. But I'm still struggling to keep the ambient temperature higher. I have one heat pad in the left corner. Should I get another? After reading this i removed some of the damp substrate to get the humidity down. I'm new at this so please, anytime there is a chance to give advice please do. It will ALWAYS be welcome!! Thanks again to both of you.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Damien79

Advice is never intrusive. I'm learning and that's why I signed up to this forum. I want my snake to be happy and healthy and I would rather not learn my by mistakes know? I have a northern brown snake that I caught at work and she doesn't need heat or anything like that. Any advice is helpful and never hesitate to help me out please. Thanks you.

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Thanks for understanding and being open to suggestions. Unfortunately, not everyone shares your willingness to learn, hence the apprehension.

In order to raise ambient temps you have a few options...

A) heat lamp with heat bulb. Least expensive way to go. However, the bulbs do burn out and need replacing. They also drain humidity a bit. I've used the dark purple ones for many years.

B) heat lamp with CHE (ceramic heat emitter). A bit more expensive but lasts MUCH longer. Don't shine light, just provide heat. Also drains humidity.

C) Radiant Heat Panel. Most expensive, but most reliable and most efficient. I have these in a few of my newest enclosures and will be upgrading more in the future.

D) an additional heat mat. Heat mats aren't designed to raise ambient temps. They're designed to provide a hot spot to aid in digestion. However, with a species like BPs that are extremely terrestrial and don't leave the ground all that often you can get away with this approach, just set one for each side, hot (88-89) and cool (78-80).


Keep in mind, you always want to use your temp gun to read the actual surface temp of the enclosure bottom, not the substrate temp. Snakes burrow, push substrate aside, etc... and will definitely come in contact with the actual enclosure surface, so that's where you want to measure.

And most importantly, ALL heat sources need to be regulated by a thermostat.

Feel free to ask any questions you may have, we're happy to help.
Welcome to the hobby, and thanks again for being understanding and open to suggestions.

Good luck, you're already off to a good start :gj:

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^THIS

I vote for CHE with a thermostat. If you don't have one on your UTH now, get one that does two heat sources. CHE raises ambient temps and that's what you want.

Here is an example of a very good thermostat. https://www.spyderrobotics.com/index...products_id=76 We can help with thermostat probe placement as well, but that is explained in the instructions too.

CHE will take some humidity, but it sounds like that's not an issue for you with your substrate.

DOn't eb aftrad to ask questions and thank you for knowing we are trying to help.

I picked up one of the ceramic heat lamps today on my way home from work and one of the purple night time 50w bulbs. They didnt have the temp gun or a digital humidity/temp gauge, so I'm gonna order one from Amazon. I would rather be wrong and have someone correct me than harm my snake. Thank you again for the advice.

I forgot to get a thermostat!! I knew I was forgetting something. I'll pick one up tomorrow. Thanks