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Re: Snabitat Build
Quote:
Originally Posted by ROSIEonFIRE
You know I was actually just gonna come on here and ask you guys about that. I have a couple of large ultra therms so I definitely plan to install those. I imagine those will likely be sufficient. But do you guys think he might benefit from a heat lamp as well? They make me nervous due to fire hazard. Also, my tat is located in a south facing room and I think it will get a lot of bright indirect sun. Do you guys think he might need supplemental lighting? I don’t think I’m going to get UVB at this time since the opinions I’m reading about the necessity of uvb is mixed and TBH I’m experiencing a bit of sticker shock right now. I mean with the price of the tat and the stand and the snake and the accessories I’m probably spending about a grand right off the bat!
I'm sorry, but I don't think the ultratherms are going to do it. The ultratherms will make for a nice basking spot, but they won't help with your ambient temp. Assuming the ambient room temp is less than 80F, you're going to need additional heating.
That's where the screen top becomes an issue. Screen tops don't retain either heat or humidity. If you add a heat lamp, it may raise the ambient, but most of the heat you're pumping in there will escape immediately and it'll take your humidity with it. You can cover the screen, but it would be better to just replace it.
Zen's site mentions that the panels are replaceable. I just don't know if that includes the screen top. I suggest that you contact Zen and see if you can replace the screen top with a PVC panel. If you can replace the top, then adding a radiant heat panel (RHP) is what I would advise for raising the ambient. RHPs don't get hot enough to pose a fire hazard and they don't emit light, so you can leave it on 24/7. They, also, don't dry out your enclosure the way a heat lamp or ceramic heat emitter (CHE) would. A deep heat projector (DHP) is another option to consider.
If you can't replace the top with a PVC panel, you can still partially cover it (aluminum foil tape), and add a DHP or CHE. DHPs and CHEs are preferable to a heat lamps because you'll need to keep the heat on 24/7 and the light from a heat lamp will mess with your BP's circadian rhythm. DHPs and CHEs don't emit light.
Sorry. Probably not what you wanted to hear. You should still try using just the ultratherms just to see if it'll be enough. I just don't think it will be.
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Re: Snabitat Build
Quote:
Originally Posted by ROSIEonFIRE
Oh ps what kind of tape should I use to attach the heat mats?
What kind of a stand are you using? You may not need to use tape at all. If you do, I suggest aluminum foil tape.
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Re: Snabitat Build
Quote:
Originally Posted by Homebody
What kind of a stand are you using? You may not need to use tape at all. If you do, I suggest aluminum foil tape.
I broke down and ordered the cabinet that Zen makes. I’m not sure if they have a top or if they’re like, open, if you know what I mean. I think they don’t have a top but I’m not sure.
https://www.zenhabitats.com/products...en-habitat-3-0
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Re: Snabitat Build
Quote:
Originally Posted by Homebody
I'm sorry, but I don't think the ultratherms are going to do it. The ultratherms will make for a nice basking spot, but they won't help with your ambient temp. Assuming the ambient room temp is less than 80F, you're going to need additional heating.
That's where the screen top becomes an issue. Screen tops don't retain either heat or humidity. If you add a heat lamp, it may raise the ambient, but most of the heat you're pumping in there will escape immediately and it'll take your humidity with it. You can cover the screen, but it would be better to just replace it.
Zen's site mentions that the panels are replaceable. I just don't know if that includes the screen top. I suggest that you contact Zen and see if you can replace the screen top with a PVC panel. If you can replace the top, then adding a radiant heat panel (RHP) is what I would advise for raising the ambient. RHPs don't get hot enough to pose a fire hazard and they don't emit light, so you can leave it on 24/7. They, also, don't dry out your enclosure the way a heat lamp or ceramic heat emitter (CHE) would. A deep heat projector (DHP) is another option to consider.
If you can't replace the top with a PVC panel, you can still partially cover it (aluminum foil tape), and add a DHP or CHE. DHPs and CHEs are preferable to a heat lamps because you'll need to keep the heat on 24/7 and the light from a heat lamp will mess with your BP's circadian rhythm. DHPs and CHEs don't emit light.
Sorry. Probably not what you wanted to hear. You should still try using just the ultratherms just to see if it'll be enough. I just don't think it will be.
I def appreciate the knowledge! The tank came with a humidity shield that covers like 80% of the top. Also, I wouldn’t count the ultratherms out as I used them for the heat source for my crabitat and they kept it in the high 70s generally and that was through 12 inches of sand! Thank you SO much for all this advice, I’ll let you know how it goes with the ultratherms and if I need lights I’ll get lights and if I need a pvc top I’ll get that too :) The heating situation for balls has always been a bit daunting to me! Can I put the DHP/CHE on top of the screen?
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Re: Snabitat Build
Quote:
Originally Posted by Malum Argenteum
Ah, I get it. "Snabitat" is apparently the name that people give to snail enclosures (I didn't recognize the term, so I Googled it). I guess we crossed wires there. I'm glad I was mistaken. :)
It isn't so much that people are so into it -- it is mostly ignorance (willful and otherwise) of environmental/agricultural regulations and the smuggled history of their critters. The invert hobby is pretty bad in this regard.
That is so distressing! I recently rehome my hermit crabs which I had been keeping for about 10 years. I refuse to buy hermit crabs and think they should be illegal to import, or at the very least they should be EXPENSIVE to import so that the number we import goes waaaaayyyy down . It enrages me to think about the ecological damage that we do to the environments that depend on crabs as a base layer of the ecosystem just so somebody can make a couple bucks. And don’t get me started on the fact that 99% of these animals are basically treated as living toys and are either tortured to death or discarded when the kids get bored. All my crabs were adopted from the original purchasers who were looking to rehome. I’m gonna a miss them [emoji24]it was a tough decision to rehome them.
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Re: Snabitat Build
Quote:
Originally Posted by ROSIEonFIRE
According to the assembly instructions, it has a top. So, you may be able to just place your ultratherm on top of the stand under the enclosure.
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Re: Snabitat Build
Quote:
Originally Posted by ROSIEonFIRE
I def appreciate the knowledge! The tank came with a humidity shield that covers like 80% of the top. Also, I wouldn’t count the ultratherms out as I used them for the heat source for my crabitat and they kept it in the high 70s generally and that was through 12 inches of sand! Thank you SO much for all this advice, I’ll let you know how it goes with the ultratherms and if I need lights I’ll get lights and if I need a pvc top I’ll get that too :) The heating situation for balls has always been a bit daunting to me! Can I put the DHP/CHE on top of the screen?
I'm pleased to hear that my concerns may be unwarranted. I didn't want to put any undue pressure on you. I know money and time are tight.
I've never, personally, used CHEs or DHPs, but, from what I've heard, yes, they can be placed on top of the screen.
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Re: Snabitat Build
Quote:
Originally Posted by Homebody
I'm pleased to hear that my concerns may be unwarranted. I didn't want to put any undue pressure on you. I know money and time are tight.
I've never, personally, used CHEs or DHPs, but, from what I've heard, yes, they can be placed on top of the screen.
Honest and respectfully offered advice is ALWAYS welcome with me. Thanks again!!
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Re: Snabitat Build
Ok I got a CHE just to be safe although I’m worried about it heating up the screen that it’s sitting on and being a safety hazard to snek. Do you guys think this is a reasonable worry?
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Re: Snabitat Build
Quote:
Originally Posted by ROSIEonFIRE
Ok I got a CHE just to be safe although I’m worried about it heating up the screen that it’s sitting on and being a safety hazard to snek. Do you guys think this is a reasonable worry?
In theory, possibly. Adequate enclosure design could help mitigate the risk (don't put hardscape very near the CHE). Give some thought to how the thermostat probe will be mounted so that the snake won't bump it out of place or tear it down completely, too -- another safety concern.
Personally, I use RHPs in solid topped PVC enclosures for display-type enclosures. I'm not sure how to advise on setting up the Zen Habitat, since any openings on the top changes the dynamic a lot. It is probably going to be as similar to a fish tank as to a PVC enclosure from the heating standpoint -- just a guess, since I've not used them.
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