Trouble on the cool side

It's being heated by a RHP connected to a thermostat. The thermostat is set to 90 and the side below the RHP holds out between 88 and 90 day and night, but the cool side/ambient temp is staying at 86. So I need to go ahead with the ventilation holes, correct? I'm sorry if I'm confusing! I know I've confused the hell out of myself.

Edit: The snake won't be here until this week, so I have a few days to get everything sorted out. I don't want anyone thinking I'm cooking a snake while trying to get everything adjusted.

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Originally Posted by callie

It's being heated by a RHP connected to a thermostat. The thermostat is set to 90 and the side below the RHP holds out between 88 and 90 day and night, but the cool side/ambient temp is staying at 86. So I need to go ahead with the ventilation holes, correct? I'm sorry if I'm confusing! I know I've confused the hell out of myself.

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As Mr. Misha said, lower the temps for now, don't allow the snake to get too hot. Just keep both sides warm for now. Get some heat tape, test the temps of the tape and see how the ambient is then :)

Also, don't stress, you seem to know what are doing and this is easily sorted. My temps were too cold for the forst 3 weeks I had my male BP. He is fine :)

I would not add vent holes now. That is going to drop your humidity and you honestly don't even know the needed information on your setup to make the correct change. You cant un-add holes, and covering them with tape will not look great. Venting is more of a humidity fix and I would worry about that last especially since you don't have the snake yet. Wait until you get the temp gun.

Being that your using a rhp and the side temps at the probe are reaching 90 I bet the center surface temp directly under the rhp is much higher than desired. This is what you need the IR temp gun for. You need to know the surface temp. If it were me I would drop the temp a few degrees until you get the temp gun and can check the surface temps. Then once you get that dialed in you can worry about vent holes for your humidity, 50-60 should be great if you can maintain that. As it stands I think you are going to need to drop your temps and the current venting will be fine.

As for a gradient. As long as you have a hotspot surface temp around 88-90 and the rest of the cage has a ambient temp around 78-80 you are good.

I think KMG wrote out the best solution for you right here.

As for the temp gradient, it's definitely what a lot of people prefer (including myself) but not required as long as your ambient temps in the right range.

Thanks for all of the replies. It can get kind of confusing trying to understand multiple replies, so I appreciate everyone being patient and helping. I haven't added any holes and I've lowered the thermostat from 90 to 84. Does that sound okay? I'm also looking at temp guns right now. Is the Pro Exotics PE2 a good choice or do you have better suggestions?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B006V4...5883192&sr=8-2

I own that and it is perfect! Slightly cheaper :)

That temp should be okay for the snake to go straight into, both sides should be good for him.

I got this one from Amazon. I actually got it for $9 but they have gone up just a tad to $16. I got this one because it takes a regular 9volt battery and not some expensive specialty battery. It has been awesome for me and I have had it a couple years now. It also has a built in laser that is tons of fun for my bulldog to chase.

http://www.amazon.com/HDE-Accuracy-N...ds=ir+temp+gun

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Originally Posted by KMG

I got this one from Amazon. I actually got it for $9 but they have gone up just a tad to $16. I got this one because it takes a regular 9volt battery and not some expensive specialty battery. It has been awesome for me and I have had it a couple years now. It also has a built in laser that is tons of fun for my bulldog to chase.

http://www.amazon.com/HDE-Accuracy-N...ds=ir+temp+gun

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Same one I linked to, for some reason the link is messed up... Maybe it is a mobile site or something.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by KMG

I got this one from Amazon. I actually got it for $9 but they have gone up just a tad to $16. I got this one because it takes a regular 9volt battery and not some expensive specialty battery. It has been awesome for me and I have had it a couple years now. It also has a built in laser that is tons of fun for my bulldog to chase.

http://www.amazon.com/HDE-Accuracy-N...ds=ir+temp+gun

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by George1994

Same one I linked to, for some reason the link is messed up... Maybe it is a mobile site or something.

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Thanks! I ordered it and got one day shipping, so I'll have it Tuesday.