Temperature Question For A RUB & First Time BP Owner

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Originally Posted by chrid16371

You will need to turn down the thermostat until the spot that was 100 is 90.

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If I do that, then the other parts of the RUB will be way too cold, so what I've done is moved the probe so it's next to my RUB on the same side, since the right side ( where my RUB is sitting ) was getting much hotter than the left side ( where my probe originally sat ), maybe I can control the temperatures better if I do that. I'll leave it there for a while.

The temp inside the hide was 100 correct? The temp outside the hide was perfect right? If so if you drop the thermostat so inside the hide is 90 the outside part will also drop yes but your snake will be hiding most of the time so the only place that has to be 90 is inside the hide. Outside the hide can be anywhere from 90-80 and you will be good.

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Also if your heat mat doesn't heat consistently over the whole mat then moving the thermostat probe won't do anything.

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Originally Posted by chrid16371

Also if your heat mat doesn't heat consistently over the whole mat then moving the thermostat probe won't do anything.

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Prior to moving the probe, the light would be constantly on, but now it is flickering much, much more. Like I said I will move it and see what happens but if it won't do anything I'll try your method but I just know that if the cool side is *too* cool then that's really bad...

Well heat mats don't affect the cool side temp, they only heat what's above them. None of the heat moves to the cool side. If you were using a bulb, che, or rhp it would affect the cool temp but with it mat it doesn't.

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Originally Posted by chrid16371

Well heat mats don't affect the cool side temp, they only heat what's above them. None of the heat moves to the cool side. If you were using a bulb, che, or rhp it would affect the cool temp but with it mat it doesn't.

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But let's just say that I manage to get the hide to 90-92F... then, everything else will be 8F colder than what they previously was... isn't that a problem? What if my snake doesn't want to hide but wants to stay warm?

I honestly don't think that's something you have to worry about. Ball pythons like to be secure and its hides is where it will get security. It will know where its hot spot is so when it wants to be warm it will go to where it's warm. There's also no problem with a bp staying in 80 degrees for am extended amount of time. Like I said it will know where to go to be warm.

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Also idk why I didn't think of this earlier, since I'm assuming you bought the heat mat new and haven't owned it that long I would contact the heat mat company and explain to they the wide temperature difference on different spots on the mat. If they are a good company they should replace it.

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Originally Posted by chrid16371

Also idk why I didn't think of this earlier, since I'm assuming you bought the heat mat new and haven't owned it that long I would contact the heat mat company and explain to they the wide temperature difference on different spots on the mat. If they are a good company they should replace it.

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Do you think my heatmat could be defective? When I got it, it arrived bent in half so the center part that separates the two black parts of the heating pad was folded in half so it could fit in a smaller packaging. It's a habitstat non-adhesive heat mat.

Habistat should replace it. Explain the problem and they should send you a new one. Sounds defective. 10 degree difference just a few inches away is crazy.

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Originally Posted by chrid16371

Habistat should replace it. Explain the problem and they should send you a new one. Sounds defective. 10 degree difference just a few inches away is crazy.

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I think it might be defective, after moving the probe to the right side of the mat, the temperature inside the RUB is only 84F. Won't go any higher. The mat feels barely warm at all compared to before.

EDIT :: I should also get a mat stat instead? https://www.reptiles.swelluk.com/hab...FbYW0wod22gDKw This seems to be designed specifically for heat mats. Also I do have my probe from my current thermostat on the heat mat, I wonder what would happen if I put the probe inside the RUB instead?

Pulse thermostats are designed for heat mats, che, rhps, any non light emitting heat source. The thermostat is good for what your using it for. I wouldn't recommend putting the probe inside, it can get bumped or pooped on and start making the thermostat heat more or less. You can't tape down the probe bc your never suppose to use tape in a reptile enclosure....good way to rip off scales. Also the heat mat won't feel warm unless the temp is to high. Human body temp is 98.6 so something that is 90 will not feel warm. The only way it would feel warm is if you put yourself in a freezer for 15 minutes to lower your body temp and then touch it. Is the 84 in the hide or outside the hide?

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Originally Posted by chrid16371

Pulse thermostats are designed for heat mats, che, rhps, any non light emitting heat source. The thermostat is good for what your using it for. I wouldn't recommend putting the probe inside, it can get bumped or pooped on and start making the thermostat heat more or less. You can't tape down the probe bc your never suppose to use tape in a reptile enclosure....good way to rip off scales. Also the heat mat won't feel warm unless the temp is to high. Human body temp is 98.6 so something that is 90 will not feel warm. The only way it would feel warm is if you put yourself in a freezer for 15 minutes to lower your body temp and then touch it. Is the 84 in the hide or outside the hide?

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It's down to 83F and it's outside of the hide. Anyway I'm getting this heatmat replaced. I should be seeing a new one on the 29th hopefully. This one didn't work.

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Originally Posted by Seviper

It's down to 83F and it's outside of the hide. Anyway I'm getting this heatmat replaced. I should be seeing a new one on the 29th hopefully. This one didn't work.

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So habistat is sending you a new one? What's the temp inside hide?

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Originally Posted by chrid16371

So habistat is sending you a new one? What's the temp inside hide?

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I'll check it in the morning. It's 3AM. And I'm going to tell amazon my heatmat is defective and see what happens.

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Originally Posted by Seviper

I'll check it in the morning. It's 3AM. And I'm going to tell amazon my heatmat is defective and see what happens.

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Well if amazon doesn't do anything then get it touch with the manufacturer.

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Originally Posted by chrid16371

Well if amazon doesn't do anything then get it touch with the manufacturer.

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I find it weird that my hide is trapping in heat, this morning I checked my temperature and it still read 83.4F, I put it inside the hide and it read a little over 92F, then I slid the probe under the paper towel and it was getting 92.1F... then I put the probe on top of the paper towel, removed the hide and left the probe there, and it's dropping. Tomorrow I'm going to see if my new heatmat works better. This clearly isn't right. I'm thinking about using aspen instead, so I can bury the probe in the aspen since my snake would probably bury himself in that, too, unless that blocks heat even more than the paper towels seem to be.

Well the temps are good then but I don't like how it's so inconsistent. The cages I use heat mats on are perfect temp from middle to edges and everywhere else. Definitely change it out and post your results.

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Originally Posted by chrid16371

Well the temps are good then but I don't like how it's so inconsistent. The cages I use heat mats on are perfect temp from middle to edges and everywhere else. Definitely change it out and post your results.

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Will do. The new mat and mat stat is due to arrive today from amazon. I'm taking no chances and using a mat stat. I can give my old thermostat to my uncle, he'll appreciate it. Now I just gotta play the waiting game.

OH! I also made sure my hide wasn't trapping heat, without the heatmat, it was getting the same temperatures inside the hide and out. I'll also bury my thermometer probe in the aspen so I can measure belly heat, since my snake will bury himself if he wants to be warm.

My mat stat just arrived, and what the hell? There's no turnable knob? Are you serious?? It's just a flat red circle with an arrow, I cannot get it to turn. Ugh!! Unless it requires a screw driver? Weird.

Ah yes, the screwdriver did the trick. Kinda strange but it's still effective. 5 minutes after plugging in the new heatmat into the new mat stat, it's already at 82.2F and climbing. I've 'buried' the thermometer probe into the aspen shavings and used the corner of the cave hide to hold the thermometer probe to the floor of the RUB, that shouldn't really make the probe read a colder temperature I hope because the cave is a bit cold. I can feel consistent heat across the entire mat, unlike the other, so hopefully this heatmat is a good one! In one or two hours, I'll post if I got the temperatures in check.

If I could edit my posts more than once, I would. Sorry about the multiple posts. I've left it in there for a while and it's peaked 94.3F, so I've turned it down a little. I've set the thermostat down to 90-91F and the temperature seemed to drop a little which right now it is at 94.1F. I'm trying to aim for the hot spot to be no more than 93.5F but I'd prefer it if it was around 92F. Granted, this is with the probe being pushed to the floor of the RUB by the hide with aspen moved out of the way so the probe is touching the plastic.

I wouldn't of bought the mat stat bc it's on/off meaning it will drop a couple degrees then turn on and reach temp and shut off and then drop a couple degrees and turn on then reach temp and will continue to do that. Your other thermostat was better bc it's pulse proportional and will keep one steady temp. I would try the new heat mat with your old thermostat and if it works good I would send back the mat stat or keep it as back up.

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Originally Posted by chrid16371

I wouldn't of bought the mat stat bc it's on/off meaning it will drop a couple degrees then turn on and reach temp and shut off and then drop a couple degrees and turn on then reach temp and will continue to do that. Your other thermostat was better bc it's pulse proportional and will keep one steady temp. I would try the new heat mat with your old thermostat and if it works good I would send back the mat stat or keep it as back up.

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Well I've switched it but the thing is, no matter where I put the probe, the part of the mat that's under the tub will be significantly hotter than where the probe is and it's causing overheating... I didn't realize getting the temps right would be such a headache. I mean I don't even have the heatmat or the thermometer on and it's reading 87.8F, like HOW? I just don't understand how the hell I'm supposed to get this thing stable! :mad::mad::mad::mad::mad: If I turn the heatmat back on, no matter what I set it to, it's going to be ridiculously hot. Argh................... why is this so freaking hard........................

How long have you had the heat mat off? What is the room temp the tub is in? How will it be ridiculously hot if you turn it back on? Unless your room is over 90 if you set the temp to 90 it shouldn't let it go over 90. Do you have your temp going now?

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Originally Posted by chrid16371

How long have you had the heat mat off? What is the room temp the tub is in? How will it be ridiculously hot if you turn it back on? Unless your room is over 90 if you set the temp to 90 it shouldn't let it go over 90. Do you have your temp going now?

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You reckon I should set the thermostat lower than 88F? Because, when the RUB is sitting on the heatmat, the heat is getting trapped and it's actually much hotter where the tub is sat. The thermostat is back on and at about 87ishF and it's gone over 89.1F in the RUB but I expect it to actually go higher.

Yeah set it lower. Are you using the mat stat or the pulse stat, the pulse stats like I said are much better then on off, I have 4 american pulse stats and love them since my temp stays steady instead of 87 then 90 then 87 then 90, could be stressful on snake? That's one of the reasons I say to put the thermostat probe under tub bc of the heat that gets trapped, since there is no heat getting trapped where the tub isn't sitting its going to vary, plus you have air that's cooler then the mat hitting the top of the probe since its not under the tub. Just set it lower and see what happens.

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Originally Posted by chrid16371

Yeah set it lower. Are you using the mat stat or the pulse stat, the pulse stats like I said are much better then on off, I have 4 american pulse stats and love them since my temp stays steady instead of 87 then 90 then 87 then 90, could be stressful on snake? That's one of the reasons I say to put the thermostat probe under tub bc of the heat that gets trapped, since there is no heat getting trapped where the tub isn't sitting its going to vary, plus you have air that's cooler then the mat hitting the top of the probe since its not under the tub. Just set it lower and see what happens.

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Using the mat stat because I can't be arsed changing it, even though I said I would... I decided that I'm too frustrated. XD However I've got the thermostat set to about 97F and I am getting 91-91.4F, though it might rise higher, I'm going to wait. What I have is no substrate, no hide, no water bowl and no arched log... I have used foil tape to tape the probe to the floor of the tub ( because my snake will bury himself in the aspen if he wants to get warm inside the hide ) and I am closely monitoring the temperature. If it goes above 92.5F, I'll kick the thermostat down a notch. I think that's how I am going to solve this problem.

The thing is with the mat stat besides the constant temp fluctuations is that when it goes to full power and shuts off when it hits the set point is that it could shoot above the set temp bc it was at 100% power before it shut off. With the pulse stat you shouldn't have the problem. My pulse never goes past 91 when set to 90 and my dimming thermostats never go past .3 of a degree but when I used on/off I sometimes it would shoot over 5 degrees. Idk with habistat so you will just have to keep an eye on it if that's what you plan to use

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Originally Posted by chrid16371

The thing is with the mat stat besides the constant temp fluctuations is that when it goes to full power and shuts off when it hits the set point is that it could shoot above the set temp bc it was at 100% power before it shut off. With the pulse stat you shouldn't have the problem. My pulse never goes past 91 when set to 90 and my dimming thermostats never go past .3 of a degree but when I used on/off I sometimes it would shoot over 5 degrees. Idk with habistat so you will just have to keep an eye on it if that's what you plan to use

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What I'll do is actually leave the thermostat on in that same position, and leave the probe right there, overnight, and see what the max temperature is... if it stays at 92.5F or LOWER, it should be okay. I may have solved the problem. We'll see. Hottest I've seen is 92.1F and it's been there for a few hours.

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Originally Posted by Seviper

What I'll do is actually leave the thermostat on in that same position, and leave the probe right there, overnight, and see what the max temperature is... if it stays at 92.5F or LOWER, it should be okay. I may have solved the problem. We'll see. Hottest I've seen is 92.1F and it's been there for a few hours.

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You won't want it to have more then a 2 degree drop either IMO. That would be quite the temp fluctuation and could be stressful. Does that new heat mat seem to be the same temperature everywhere now?

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Originally Posted by chrid16371

You won't want it to have more then a 2 degree drop either IMO. That would be quite the temp fluctuation and could be stressful. Does that new heat mat seem to be the same temperature everywhere now?

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Seems like it, yeah. Though it's ALWAYS hotter under the tub, because the heat is trapped under the tub. But feeling over the mat, I can barely feel any heat, but it appears to be the same all around.

You shouldn't feel any heat unless your body temp is lower than what it should be. If you feel that it's warm then its to hot. I can't feel any heat coming from any of mine and the temps are perfect. Snakes are cold blooded that's why they can feel heat from something that's 90 but since humans are 98.6 we won't feel a temp that low.

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Originally Posted by chrid16371

You shouldn't feel any heat unless your body temp is lower than what it should be. If you feel that it's warm then its to hot. I can't feel any heat coming from any of mine and the temps are perfect. Snakes are cold blooded that's why they can feel heat from something that's 90 but since humans are 98.6 we won't feel a temp that low.

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I can feel the tiniest amount of heat, I'd ask "is this thing on?" then I'd press my palm on it and be like "Oh yeah, it's on." Anyway, so far my hotspot, with the probe foil taped to the floor of the tub on pure plastic w/ no substrate is 92.3F. It's 10:26PM where I live, so I'll go to bed, and check what the temperature peaked at in the morning, if it's less than 92.6F then I know it's all good and I will never need to worry about it being too hot. At least I hope so.

Make sure that foil tape is not in the tub when you put the snake in, any think that is sticky needs to stay out of tub. If you want the probe to stay you will need to hot glue it but absolutely under no circumstances is there to be tape in a snake or any reptile enclosure.

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Originally Posted by chrid16371

Make sure that foil tape is not in the tub when you put the snake in, any think that is sticky needs to stay out of tub. If you want the probe to stay you will need to hot glue it but absolutely under no circumstances is there to be tape in a snake or any reptile enclosure.

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Oh gosh, I am aware, I know that leaving anything sticky inside a snake enclosure is a death sentence for the poor snake. Once I get the temperatures all set up, I will not need to adjust the thermostat and I could just leave the probe behind the hide in the corner and use it for humidity only. Would that be a good idea, mate?

You will need to still monitor the temps bc sometimes things fail but if you have the temp gun and still check with that a few times a day then yes that will good

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Originally Posted by chrid16371

You will need to still monitor the temps bc sometimes things fail but if you have the temp gun and still check with that a few times a day then yes that will good

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I do own a temp gun though it seems to give a much higher figure for some reason, I could just jam the probe in the corner and bury the nose of it into the aspen though I don't know if I'd even get an accurate reading. As you may have seen in previous images, the probe head is a square with a thin arrow head on it. I am not really sure if only the tip of the arrow matters, or the entire probe head.

How much higher does the temp gun reading give? I'm going to find the test you can do for temp guns to see how much there off or if there right on. Ik it has something to do with ice cubes. I'll find the test and write it out for you so you can see how accurate your gun is.

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Originally Posted by chrid16371

How much higher does the temp gun reading give? I'm going to find the test you can do for temp guns to see how much there off or if there right on. Ik it has something to do with ice cubes. I'll find the test and write it out for you so you can see how accurate your gun is.

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113.5-114F if I shoot the laser directly next to the probe's arrow head with the lid open, which is currently running at 90.0F exactly on the thermometer.

Wow that's quite a bit of difference. What's it saying your cool side is? I'm assuming you have the whole thermometer probe sitting flat not just the arrow correct?

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Originally Posted by chrid16371

Wow that's quite a bit of difference. What's it saying your cool side is? I'm assuming you have the whole thermometer probe sitting flat not just the arrow correct?

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Yeah it's sitting flat because I taped it down (something I cannot do once the hide and stuff is inside the small tub ), and unfortunately I'm going to have to check in the morning, if I keep leaving my bedroom people are going to wake up.

Good news for the hot spot! I've just woken up and checked the minimum and maximum as well as the current temperature.

Current: 90.0F
Minimum: 90.0F
Maximum 90.1F

This is perfect!! I've FINALLY... finally... got it the right temperature on the hot end... my snake is going to love that. <3

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Originally Posted by Seviper

Good news for the hot spot! I've just woken up and checked the minimum and maximum as well as the current temperature.

Current: 90.0F
Minimum: 90.0F
Maximum 90.1F

This is perfect!! I've FINALLY... finally... got it the right temperature on the hot end... my snake is going to love that. <3

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That's good! It's pretty consistent everywhere?

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UPDATE ON THE TEMPS. I THINK I'VE FINALLY SOLVED THIS! Please, correct me if I am wrong.

USING ASPEN SUBSTRATE

Cool side temps:

Outside of the arched log hide next to the water bowl temp & humidity = 77.7F MINIMUM to 78.3F & 77% peaked humidity ( this is presumably because the probe is right by the water dish ).
Inside of the arched log hide on the cool side temp & humidity = 79.5F & 71% humidity.

Hot side temps:

Inside of the cave hide temp & humidity = 91.6F & 59% humidity.
Outside of the cave hide temp & humidity = 88.5F & 61% humidity. ( probe was sitting on the aspen though, I wasn't able to bury the probe in the thin layer of aspen because the wire would not co-operate with me).

Is this good, guys? I've been running temperature tests for over 8 hours, in different spots for 2-3 hours each.

Sounds good to me as long as under the aspen isn't over 94. Glad you finally figured it out!

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Originally Posted by chrid16371

Sounds good to me as long as under the aspen isn't over 94. Glad you finally figured it out!

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Even the 71-77% in the cool area's humidity, that's also okay? n_n

Yeah that will be ok. Be good for shedding too! In there native habitat humidity is generally around 80%, at least that's the few things I have read. Plus you said it is by your water dish which would obviously have higher humidity. My average humidity level for my super pastel is 60%-66% and by the water bowl is 75%-78% and he is happy, healthy and sheds perfectly! My killer bee is average 60%-63% and by water bowl is 73%.

I will comment about your arched log hide, is it just half a log with a wide open front? If so your snake may not like it. I had one of those with my super pastel and due to the open front he would not use it and never regualated his body temp. I would recommend you get the exact same hide as your hot hide so the snake will have the security on both sides and can't play favorites.

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Originally Posted by chrid16371

Yeah that will be ok. Be good for shedding too! In there native habitat humidity is generally around 80%, at least that's the few things I have read. Plus you said it is by your water dish which would obviously have higher humidity. My average humidity level for my super pastel is 60%-66% and by the water bowl is 75%-78% and he is happy, healthy and sheds perfectly! My killer bee is average 60%-63% and by water bowl is 73%.

I will comment about your arched log hide, is it just half a log with a wide open front? If so your snake may not like it. I had one of those with my super pastel and due to the open front he would not use it and never regualated his body temp. I would recommend you get the exact same hide as your hot hide so the snake will have the security on both sides and can't play favorites.

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Ah okay, the arched log is an open ended hide but I cannot fit another exo terrra cave in there! The 5L RUB won't fit another one. HOWEVER!~ I use a big wooden box to put my thermostat on, so the back is actually concealed and not open. I'll snap a picture for you, hang on. The breeder has seen the log and said it's fine. Let me just grab my phone and upload this image to imgur.

EDIT :: Here you go!

http://i.imgur.com/9px4FJQ.jpg

Yeah let me see exactly what you were talking about

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