UTH Temps

I am getting my spider ball on Tuesday so I brought my tank home today and set it up to get all the temps right. I am using a zilla UTH on a herpstat. The herpstat is setup at 98 degrees. However, the bedding is not close to 90 degrees. Should I just set the UTH to 91 and let him burrow to the glass or set it higher to get the bedding that warm? I feel like I should just set it at 91, to be safe but would like some opinions. Thanks

Where is your probe located?

How thick is the substrate layer in the cage?

My probe is tape to the UTH on the underside. There is maybe 1/2 inch of substrate or less it is reptibark.

You always want to make sure you measure the temps below the substrate incase you python burrows.


Sent from my iPhone 5 using Tapatalk

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Pennstater6

My probe is tape to the UTH on the underside. There is maybe 1/2 inch of substrate or less it is reptibark.

---

Which probe??

The thermostat probe should be taped there. On the outside, directly on the underside of the UTH.

The thermometer probe, to measure and monitor your internal temps, should be on the glass, inside the tank, directly over the UTH. If the UTH is large enough, and the bedding is not too deep, a surface reading of 90/93 here should be fine.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by martin82531

You always want to make sure you measure the temps below the substrate incase you python burrows.


Sent from my iPhone 5 using Tapatalk

---

I understand that. I use a temp gun to measure the substrate and below it but should I just lower it to 91 and let him burrow down to the glass to get the heat?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Pennstater6

I understand that. I use a temp gun to measure the substrate and below it but should I just lower it to 91 and let him burrow down to the glass to get the heat?

---

What if he doesn't burrow?

As long as the bottom of the cage isn't hotter than 95 I would turn the thermostat up to try to get the surface temperature to 90 degrees. You might also try reducing the thickness of the substrate layer. (or switching to a substrate that doesn't block as much heat)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by The Serpent Merchant

As long as the bottom of the cage isn't hotter than 95 I would turn the thermostat up to try to get the surface temperature to 90 degrees. You might also try reducing the thickness of the substrate layer. (or switching to a substrate that doesn't block as much heat)

---

Ok what substrate holds heat well? I have repti-bark on him now but I have cypress mulch for my boas cage. Should I use that? That mulch isn't in the boas cage yet its still in the bag. Do you think the substrate will heat up if I give it more time?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Foschi Exotic Serpents

What if he doesn't burrow?

---

What if he does and its too hot down there?