Newbie struggling with temperature regulation

Hi I just brought my 9-month old Lesser Pastel home. I am having trouble maintaining temperature at the hot end of the tank.
I am using UTH but no matter how high I set the thermostat setting, the IR Temp gun only shows a temp of approximately 81 degrees. The ambient temperature is 78.
If I turn CHE on, then the temp soars quickly to 100 or above. So I keep it off.
WWhat am I doing wrong? Why am I not able to regulate the temperature at the hot end?

What type of thermostat are you using, out of curiosity? What brand of UTH?
What's the typical temperature in the room your snake is in?

Were are you taking your temps from pics of setup would help

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For trouble retaining heat and humidity:sick:, try placing a folded towel (med. size) on the wire mesh. That should keep some heat and humidity in, but you will still need to check on it every once in a while. Also using a UTH (under tank heater) in conjunction with a lamp is always recommended. I'm assuming you have a glass enclosure since you are having this issue...

If your enclosure is getting too hot, try moving the light away from the cage, also think about getting a bulb with less wattage. BP's won't normally need a basking light. It WILL get too hot for them usually. :snake2:

1.0 Banana Mojave RG BP
1.0 Albino BP
0.1 Normal BP

I use helix and VE thermostats for my tubs, with the probe taped to the flexwatt.... I have to have my Helix set at 108 to get a 90 deg reading on the substrate..... Where is your probe attached...? If i were using an aquariums to house my snakes, I would tape it to the bottom on the outside of tank and have the probe setting on top of the uth.... Your thermostat will more than likely read higher than the reading on the substrate..... I have never read that u should use a light in conjunction with a uth..... That is simply not true... But no one who houses a snake in a tank wants it to be dark, you all want to see your animals.... If this is the case just use an aquarium fixture with a fluorscent tube..... They give off very minimal heat....

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Originally Posted by boafa

I have never read that u should use a light in conjunction with a uth..... That is simply not true...

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That is very dependent on the temperature of the room. With a 78 degree ambient temperature it's certainly not necessary.

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Originally Posted by Prahanien

What type of thermostat are you using, out of curiosity? What brand of UTH?
What's the typical temperature in the room your snake is in?

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I could not afford a herpstat. So I got a Hydrofarm.

And I am using Zoo Med ReptiTherm UTH.

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Originally Posted by frostysBP

Were are you taking your temps from pics of setup would help

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I use IR temp gun and take the Temps of the substrate and the inside of the hides at each end. http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/06...5b50b9dd79.jpghttp://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/06...b4ac4ee44a.jpg

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by boafa

I use helix and VE thermostats for my tubs, with the probe taped to the flexwatt.... I have to have my Helix set at 108 to get a 90 deg reading on the substrate..... Where is your probe attached...? If i were using an aquariums to house my snakes, I would tape it to the bottom on the outside of tank and have the probe setting on top of the uth.... Your thermostat will more than likely read higher than the reading on the substrate..... I have never read that u should use a light in conjunction with a uth..... That is simply not true... But no one who houses a snake in a tank wants it to be dark, you all want to see your animals.... If this is the case just use an aquarium fixture with a fluorscent tube..... They give off very minimal heat....

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I have the UTH under the tank and the probe is between the tank and the pad.

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You wanna take it temps right off the glass not the top of the substrate. That way if they move the substrate they don't burn them self on the glass. Hope that makes sense to you

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by frostysBP

You wanna take it temps right off the glass not the top of the substrate. That way if they move the substrate they don't burn them self on the glass. Hope that makes sense to you

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I forgot to mention I have repticarpet underneath the substrate. Could that be the reason the heat is not coming through to the substrate?

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Don't take the temperature of the substrate. Push some aside and check the temp of the glass over the UTH.

http://i61.tinypic.com/30avu6s.jpg

The UTH only heats what it is contacting.

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Originally Posted by The Golem

Don't take the temperature of the substrate. Push some aside and check the temp of the glass over the UTH.

http://i61.tinypic.com/30avu6s.jpg

It's a bit high because I cranked up the lamp for the photo.

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Got it. Thanks.

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If it were me I would take the repticarpet out and check your temp right of the top of the glass. dial your tstat to get it to 90-92. And your good. The snake will burrow down if he wants and this way he can't burn himself

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by frostysBP

If it were me I would take the repticarpet out and check your temp right of the top of the glass. dial your tstat to get it to 90-92. And your good. The snake will burrow down if he wants and this way he can't burn himself

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Thank you. I will take the carpet out.

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Originally Posted by whovian

I forgot to mention I have repticarpet underneath the substrate. Could that be the reason the heat is not coming through to the substrate?

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Yes, that could be the reason. You don't need carpet under substrate.
EDIT: see that I'm late to the party.

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Originally Posted by whovian

Thank you. I will take the carpet out.

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Let me know how it gose

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by frostysBP

Let me know how it gose

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Yes it was the carpet. Now the hot side is 88-90 under the substrate.

Now the humidity is creeping up. It is now at 75%...How do I maintain it?

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Let it stabilize for a while and if you are reading humidity off that dial hydrometer its not accurate

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by frostysBP

Let it stabilize for a while and if you are reading humidity off that dial hydrometer its not accurate

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I have fluker's digital thermometer/hygrometer

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Ok good to here let it stabilize for a day 75% for few days won't hurt. My bet is it will drop down after a while.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by frostysBP

Ok good to here let it stabilize for a day 75% for few days won't hurt. My bet is it will drop down after a while.

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Thank you.

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Can't tell if is mesh top or not?

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Originally Posted by anicatgirl

Can't tell if is mesh top or not?

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It is a mesh top.

Well. A fan nearby will help to drop humidity. And if you run into issues with low humidity, as I suspect you will, you can cover most of the top with foil. It retains heat and humidity