What do you use to heat your aquarium?

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Originally Posted by HelloSonya

*shunned*

No, I know. It's bad. But all this was given to me on a whim when I agreed to take care of someone's snake for a few months.

I get off of school in a few hours, and I'll hit up the local Walmart. :P

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no problem. If you can, remember to look for a dimmer while you are there.

How exactly would a dimmer work? The UTH I have is just a single cable that plugs into an outlet.

They have lamp dimmer's that you can plug that heat mat into. A dimmer isn't the best solution, but it's WAYYYY better than leaving it unregulated. Remember you're body temp is around 98 so if it feels warm to you, it's problably in the 100 degree range.

Also be sure to measure temps at the floor level. There's no sense measuring temps way at the top, since the snakes doesn't spend much time up there. ;)

I use flexwatt hooked to thermostats

If the room your herp is in stays a constant temperature, a dimmer is okay for now. I used dimmers for 4 months and still continue to and my temps stay stable. If I am not mistaken, Genevive uses dimmers on each individual tub in her rack.

Dimmers are quite alright, some of the big breeders prefer them to thermostats because they have a "built-in night drop" so to speak. The rheostat (dimmer) that I have is a basic one that only handles 150 watts from a maximum of 3 sources. That means that it's good for one UTH (<25W depending on size) and say a 100W red bulb or CHE. Or you could put it on a series of cages/tubs with heat tape (also low wattage). You plug the heater into the rheostat and plug the rheostat into the wall. I have a 20g with a 75W red bulb and creates ambient temps of 75-95 alone. Consider putting the lamp on the opposite side from the UTH, and turn the heater low enough to maintain adequate cool side temps.

You need something to regulate the UTH, mine get to 100+ degrees and the snakes just aren't that smart.... They will get under whatever substrate you choose and will be touching that hot spot.

Also know that the strip thermometers are influenced by outside temps, so they show a lower reading than it actually is. Besides having a good thermometer, also watch your snake to see where he sits. If he's on the warm side all the time, your temps are probably still too low.

Aspen is incredibly insulating, I use it too. If you need to, switch to newspaper or paper towels- they won't trap the heat as much.

Put the cage along an inside wall, to avoid fluctuating temps and direct sunlight which could cook your snake.

I sympathize with you- I'm in Canada and it's November, the UTH are just not cutting it. Humidity is another issue. The lamps eat up humidity (<30%) so plan to address that when shedding comes around, with soaks/misting or a moist hide.

Good luck and keep asking questions! I can't wait to see the new baby!

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Originally Posted by Sadie

Dimmers are quite alright, some of the big breeders prefer them to thermostats because they have a "built-in night drop" so to speak.

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Which 'big breeders' are you talking about? I have never heard of a 'big breeder' prefering dimmers over a thermostat.....

And most prefer thermos not only bc of night drop but also because it keeps temps more stable

I used to live in Tacoma, and whoever said you're going to need a space heater to boost the ambient temperature in the room is dead-on right. Here in Central Illinois, where the temperature now (40s at night) isn't as low as what you're going to get in Seattle, I've found there's no way to get the temperature AND humidity right without heating the room hotter than the rest of the house. Even with the duct tape and foil covering described in the sticky. Even with two UTH's. A heat emitter will get the heat up OK, but suck the humidity down to 30 percent or lower in a heart beat, no matter how much you mist.

Your set-up looks really good, but, again, it's not going to make it without heating the room to 75 or so--signficantly warmer than most Pacific Northwest homes in the winter time. It's going to cost you in heating bills, but keeping reptiles isn't free. Better that than paying a vet to cure a respiratory infection. If you can't get the temps and humidity right, don't get the snake. Isn't fair to the animal.

Once you get the room temperature to 75 minimum, you should be able to get the rest of the way with under tank heaters. Try coconut fiber for substrate, which requires misting once or twice a day to ensure proper humidity. Good luck.

We have some extra space heaters so I'll plug one in tonight and see if that helps. Aside from the snake, I should be using one by now anyways. Summer was hot as heck, and now winter is coooold. Seems like the temperatures have dropped overnight!

I am also going to move the terrarium away from the window. I bet that will really help.

Btw, I didn't end up buying the BP today. I want to make sure I get these temps. pretty close to nailed first.

Thanks for all the great advice and ideas. I will keep updating!