New tank setup

Hey everyone, just signed up a few days ago. I've been trying to get a tank setup, but, of course, I'm running into some heating problems. I was given a 55 gallon tank for free, so I'm using that. The top of the tank is separated into two halves, each 24 inches. I found a nice aquarium hood with a florescent light for daytime light/viewing (adds very little heat). So that takes up the one side. For the other, I bought a 150w infrared heat lamp to put in the clamp light fixture I got for free. This fixture is sitting on a plastic/wire mesh top (24") that came with it. I also have a medium sized UTH with no thermostat. I used an acu-rite thermo to see what the temps are and the side with the heat lamp is going to ~105F and the cool side is at about 75F. The humidity is at 80%, but that's because the eco earth is still drying out, almost done though. Anyway, 82 cool side, 92 warm side is what I'm supposed to be seeing, so I was thinking I would take the infrared heat lamp back and get a 100W che. Can I put a che on a rheostat(plug in dimmer)? Having that red light on all night doesn't appeal to me as much now that I've seen how bright it is. So what about the cool side? 76 is pretty cool and it's about that temp all the way until the middle of the tank. I was thinking I would just insulate the back and one side. But, I can't think of anything that would look good and do a good job of keeping the heat in. Any ideas? Any suggestions about anything are welcome. This is my first attempt to setup a snake enclosure.

Here's a pic...
http://img179.imageshack.us/img179/5...1921308uy1.jpg

how are you measuring your temps?

also best bet is a thermostat or rheostat and use 2 UTH one for the cool side and one for the warm side. then dial them in with there own thermostat or rheostat

if your having trouble with ambient air temp get a ceramic heat emitter to keep the ambient air temp around 80*F.

with a tank that big your going to have some bad humidity issues with a heat lamp im thinking.

in my thread earlier there were some great suggestions check it out. its about a bad shed but turned into cage setup.

http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...ad.php?t=84887

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Originally Posted by JeffJ

how are you measuring your temps?

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On the picture, you can see the two temps I wrote on there. the 76F side is measured with a flukers therm/hygro, which is placed on the substrate. The 105F side is being measured with an acu-rite probe that is laying on top of the substrate.

Why not put the Heat Light on the other side. As in switch it so that heat lamp and UTH are on opposite ends. Then cover any remaining screen with plexiglass or styrofoam or whatever. Make sure to get a rheostat, dimmer, thermostat for the heat sources. Hope that solves your problem :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Appolion

On the picture, you can see the two temps I wrote on there. the 76F side is measured with a flukers therm/hygro, which is placed on the substrate. The 105F side is being measured with an acu-rite probe that is laying on top of the substrate.

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yah i totally missed that, sorry.

1. you absolutely NEED a thermostat or a dimmer for the UTH.

2.55 gal is WAY to big. I would find something like plexiglass to divide the tank in half. You can gradually increase the size as the snake grows.

When using the accurite thermometer, make sure to put it directly on the glass above the UTH. You need to be measuring the closest spot that the snake could possible get to in order to avoid cooking your snake.

When you split the tank in half, you can put the light (or CHE) on the opposite end of the UTH to maintain a higher ambient temp (which will be easier with the tank split). You probably won't have a humidity problem with that substrate as long as you mist once a day. I personally use aspen as a substrate and it works great. It is easy to clean, absorbs moisture, keeps the smell down and looks great. You might consider switching :D. I just don't see the appeal in cleaning a cage full of dirt, lol.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JeffJ

yah i totally missed that, sorry.

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No problem :)

So a che can be put on a rheostat? A che would be better for sucking less humidity than a heat lamp, correct?

CHE will suck as much humidity as the lamp. It doesn't really matter. CHE's can be put on a dimmer as far as I know.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Appolion

No problem :)

So a che can be put on a rheostat? A che would be better for sucking less humidity than a heat lamp, correct?

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you can get a cheap lamp dimmer from wal-mart plugs into the outlet then you plug the CHE into it. ive been told this works for regulating the che temperature.


almost forgot, CHE will draw away as much humidity as the lamp. its pulling the cool humid air up an out any heat source up on the rack of your cage will do this.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Kaorte

1. you absolutely NEED a thermostat or a dimmer for the UTH.

2.55 gal is WAY to big. I would find something like plexiglass to divide the tank in half. You can gradually increase the size as the snake grows.

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I bought a bunch of plants from the dollar store and I have wood and two hides that aren't put in the tank yet. You'd think a 20" BP would be good in a 55 with lots of foliage/wood. idk