Need some help... please

I got my rack unit yesterday from c serpents it's the 28 qt 3 tub unit. I put probe on foil tape in middle rack on the heat tape off to the farthest right side and my female ball python is too small for the 28qt. So I bought a 16 qt tub and put holes in the side to be breathable because tub fits tighter then the 28qt .
My questions are.

Is the the hide box to big I found my snake behind it crammed between it and the tub wall?

Is the probe correctly placed? Temperature on heat tape is 97 -95 using heat gun I have it set for 96 the actual temperature in tub is 88 and 80 on cooler side.

Is a 28qt too big and should I allow some time for her to settle in before handling and feeding?

Thanks.


http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...1a24a441a4.jpghttp://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...bfae759e6e.jpghttp://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...b366ef8bd9.jpg

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I think the hide is fine, some of mine don't have a hide and I just put some black tape along the back side so the snake feels more secure. I have seen some people use nothing and still use clear plastic tubs. As far as the heat, you just want to make sure the heat on the bottom of the tub, inside, where the snake lays, is between 90-93. Doesn't really matter what the temp is on top the tape, but what the snake feels inside when it lays on the floor of the tub.

Also...I would wait a week before handling and attempting to feed.

OK so it would be like when I first got her on feeding and handling..

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What does you snake weigh? I would say the hide is to big for a 16qt tub, that's my opinion. I would try the 28qt and see what happens. I just received a 106g snake in the mail yesterday and I put him in a 40qt with 2 hides, water bowl, and fake leaves and he ate 6 hours after arrival. I have a good feeling he will be ok, I also have a snake that is about 150g I purchased from the same breeder a few months ago and she is in a 28x24x12 vision and has ate every meal with no signs of stress. I took a chance and it worked but I'm not saying to do the same as me bc it probably wouldn't work out for most. I do have supplies ready if it didn't work out so I say you can try the 28qt but keep the 16qt on hand just in case. Don't handle until it's eating consistently.

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Also if I'm looking at the pic right you have tape directly on the tip of the thermostat probe which it shouldn't be, it should only be on the wire before the probe.

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Ya have the entire probe cover by foil tape. That is wrong? Iam using a helix thermostat.

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Originally Posted by chrid16371

What does you snake weigh? I would say the hide is to big for a 16qt tub, that's my opinion. I would try the 28qt and see what happens. I just received a 106g snake in the mail yesterday and I put him in a 40qt with 2 hides, water bowl, and fake leaves and he ate 6 hours after arrival. I have a good feeling he will be ok, I also have a snake that is about 150g I purchased from the same breeder a few months ago and she is in a 28x24x12 vision and has ate every meal with no signs of stress. I took a chance and it worked but I'm not saying to do the same as me bc it probably wouldn't work out for most. I do have supplies ready if it didn't work out so I say you can try the 28qt but keep the 16qt on hand just in case. Don't handle until it's eating consistently.

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Going to Walmart today getting scale. To take a wild guess maybe 400 grams 24 inches long.

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Originally Posted by robert7107

Going to Walmart today getting scale. To take a wild guess maybe 400 grams 24 inches long.

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I got the stainless steel mainstays scale at Walmart and it's really accurate, I set a nickel on it every time to make sure it says 5 grams before I weigh a snake so I know it is giving a correct reading.

I would think the 28qt would be fine, that's my opinion but like I said just keep the 16qt on hand just in case you are getting constant refusals or other signs of stress. It's your choice of which one you want to use.

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Honestly I'd go ahead and put her in a 28qt. Yes that hide is too big, she's not going to feel secure in it and it takes up too much space in the tub.

I'd get a 28qt tub and order two size medium Reptile Basics hides. Put one hide on each end with the water dish in the center and it'll be fine.

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Ok. Ill back to using the wood ones for now..

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Originally Posted by robert7107

Ya have the entire probe cover by foil tape. That is wrong? Iam using a helix thermostat.

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Yes, since the probe is what detects the temp by covering it with tape your trapping heat inside giving an inaccurate reading which will eventually lead to heating incorrectly. You can put foil tape right on wire before the probe sensor.

I also agree with the above, get some reptile basics hides.

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Ok. Thanks again. Reptile basic size medium hides?

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by robert7107

Ok. Thanks again. Reptile basic size medium hides?

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Medium should be good for your snake. Read the measurements and make sure it will fit in tub, should fit but just make sure.

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BP like very tight hide in general tight to almost to small generally work great, or it might be one of those that have an hide and don't care to use it, can be both.

What will be a good indication on whether your BP is doing well or not is feeding, he should be a voracious feed at that age if not than something is off.

Is it normal for the temperature to be a degree or two different from each shelves. I repositioned the probe as recommended by chrid 16371 . Not every using a rack unit iam assuming that it can take a little for the temperature to settle?http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...282a0e1323.jpg

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what kinda heat tape is that?

Flex watt from c serpents it has the fire retardant on it according to Chris . It's only on middle shelf like that

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Originally Posted by Ax01

what kinda heat tape is that?

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Originally Posted by robert7107

Flex watt from c serpents it has the fire retardant on it according to Chris . It's only on middle shelf like that

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oh, ok.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by robert7107

Is it normal for the temperature to be a degree or two different from each shelves. I repositioned the probe as recommended by chrid 16371 . Not every using a rack unit iam assuming that it can take a little for the temperature to settle?http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...282a0e1323.jpg

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yes, there could be some variation between shelves. the most important thing is that the heat tape is properly regulated by a thermostat so none of the shelves will overheat and burn your animals.

Just talked to Chris @ c serpents he says that flex watt is making it that now...
Middle shelf is where the probe is and it second warmest with bottom being the warmest and top the coolest.. I have given it time to settle in temperature I guess I should give half a day then check??
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By the way.
Excellent forum always feel good after getting advice from you all... Thanks again... Going. To order hides boxes today along with prevent o mite and reptile relief just to have on hand for precautions...

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by robert7107

By the way.
Excellent forum always feel good after getting advice from you all... Thanks again... Going. To order hides boxes today along with prevent o mite and reptile relief just to have on hand for precautions...

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if you're ordering supplies, pick-up some cleaners/disinfetant solution like chlorhexidine or F10 while you're at it. :gj:

Update..
Still getting a 2 degree variants in temperature each level..
Top shelf is the coolest 86-87 hot 81 cool
Middle 88-89. 81 cool side
Bottom is 91-92. 82 cool.

Someone mentioned in another forum thread that foil tape on the actual heat tape can mess with the heat tape causing irregularities in temperature?


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by robert7107

Update..
Still getting a 2 degree variants in temperature each level..
Top shelf is the coolest 86-87 hot 81 cool
Middle 88-89. 81 cool side
Bottom is 91-92. 82 cool.

Someone mentioned in another forum thread that foil tape on the actual heat tape can mess with the heat tape causing irregularities in temperature?


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Are those the temps inside the tubs?

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Yes.. I pull tub out and shoot with temp gun.

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Well I think I have it now.. lol shouldn't be this hard or my ocd is working overtime...

I took probe bulb put it between the heat tape and rack wall on middle shelf used foil tape to secure it but didn't tape any portion of the probe bulb just behind since it sit in there good. Probe is is completely touching the heat tape.

Temps.
Top.. hot side. 89 range. Cool 80
Middle. 90. range. 81
Bottom. 91. 82
Using forest floor bedding

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by robert7107

Well I think I have it now.. lol shouldn't be this hard or my ocd is working overtime...

I took probe bulb put it between the heat tape and rack wall on middle shelf used foil tape to secure it but didn't tape any portion of the probe bulb just behind since it sit in there good. Probe is is completely touching the heat tape.

Temps.
Top.. hot side. 89 range. Cool 80
Middle. 90. range. 81
Bottom. 91. 82
Using forest floor bedding

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There will always be a little temp difference between shelf's, finding a happy medium is best. Your temps before weren't bad but it's good that you have them closer now.

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Thanks. I am sure pulling tub to check temperature you probably drop a quarter of a degree or so right

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Personally I wouldn't use a hide at all. I have the same size snakes in bigger tubs, no hides, and they eat twice a week and never miss a beat. The less stuff you have in a tub the less you have to clean, tubs are designed to be easy to clean and maintain and the perfect environment for snakes without anything else. Look at videos of the top breeders, they never have hides in their tubs.

Iam just thinking going from a 10 gallon tank to a 28 qt tub maybe too much and want to provide that security for her once she gets bigger I'll remove the hides. Haven't got a scale yet but I am guessing 300 grams easy...

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