Re: For those with glass tanks in cold areas.
Well, I went to Home Depot and bought some insulation. It's made from some sort of flexible and dense foam like substance with foil on the outer layer. I put it around the tank leaving one side open. I've also moved my lamp to the cool side of the tank. So far the temps are much more stable than they were last night at this time. It's supposed to pretty cold tonight, so I'll keep everyone updated. I hoping the humidifier that I have in my room and a mist bottle will help with the humidity.
At least tubs are cheap (I think?), in case this doesn't work out.
Re: For those with glass tanks in cold areas.
Quote:
Originally Posted by BigCeC43
Well, I went to Home Depot and bought some insulation. It's made from some sort of flexible and dense foam like substance with foil on the outer layer. I put it around the tank leaving one side open. I've also moved my lamp to the cool side of the tank. So far the temps are much more stable than they were last night at this time. It's supposed to pretty cold tonight, so I'll keep everyone updated. I hoping the humidifier that I have in my room and a mist bottle will help with the humidity.
At least tubs are cheap (I think?), in case this doesn't work out.
Sounds like a good plan. I wasn't trying to discourage you, just sharing my experience as I've been there, done that, wasn't fun. You may get different results - everyone's situation is different - just keep a close eye on the temps.
Re: For those with glass tanks in cold areas.
elevatethis,
Don't worry, you haven't discouraged me at all. I was looking for everyones opinions, realizing that they would all be different.
Anyway, for those that have been following along...
I ended up putting a second layer of insulation around the cool side of the tank last night. The temps and humidity were fine when I went to sleep, and this morning they still were; 91.5 in the hot side hide/ 81.2 air temp (taken on the cool side/ 79.7 in the cool side hide/ humidity 53%.
I have the Acu-Rite on top of the cool side hide with the probe inside of it. I thought I'd mention (since I'm under the impression most of you use one
Acu-Rite to measure the cool side air and the hot side surface) that there is always a difference of 2-3 degrees between the cool side air an the actual surface temp in that hide. At night the hide is usually cooler than the air, and when the day bulb is in, the hide is usually warmer than the the air temp (weird huh?).
Now I don't want either of the two cool side temps to drop below 80, but what I've found is that using my space heater for 5-10 minutes heats the cool side temp 2-4 degrees and with the insulation it actually holds that temp for along time. Long story short, it's working well so far. Although the dead of winter is going to be the real test.
Re: For those with glass tanks in cold areas.
Yep, same here. I live in Colorado, and after those 4 blizzards we had last year I'm getting a bit nervous about my snakes in their tanks. Right now I have cork outside their backgrounds and on the sides, but after reading this I think I'll go out and pick up some of that insulation for both tanks today. Also going to get a second thermostat for the BP cool side UTH (its on a reptitemp borrowed from the corn tank now) and a space heater for the bedroom for extra peace of mind (and to help my desert-raised BF stay warmer).
Thanks a lot for putting up this thread...it's just what I needed to keep my babies warm this winter. Here's hoping for NO blizzards this year!
Re: For those with glass tanks in cold areas.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Argentra
Yep, same here. I live in Colorado, and after those 4 blizzards we had last year I'm getting a bit nervous about my snakes in their tanks. Right now I have cork outside their backgrounds and on the sides, but after reading this I think I'll go out and pick up some of that insulation for both tanks today. Also going to get a second thermostat for the BP cool side UTH (its on a reptitemp borrowed from the corn tank now) and a space heater for the bedroom for extra peace of mind (and to help my desert-raised BF stay warmer).
Thanks a lot for putting up this thread...it's just what I needed to keep my babies warm this winter. Here's hoping for NO blizzards this year!
Here's exactly what I used...
Foil and Foam Insulation
I'm not 100% sure this is all I'll need, but it's definetly helping and very easy to put on as well. The foil part goes on the outside, the inside is a gray foam which sticks right on to the tank very easily, no tape no glue.
