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Where to place the probe

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  • 10-26-2023, 04:17 PM
    Lomu
    Where to place the probe
    Hi everyone,

    Its day 5 since we bought our banana fire dbl het clown home. His name is Lomu. We are based in the UK. It's been a rough ride as we had some glitches along the way and are salvaging the situation.

    We own a corn snake as well and realised that we are in another league completely in comparison to snake care. Royal pythons are not for beginners. That being said we are moving forward positively and only have our snakes best interest at heart.

    We are using a 3foot wooden viv. We are also using a Deep heat projector and have a probe for it and the thermometer probe. We just want to make sure that the probe is placed in the correct place. We bought an infared gun today.

    We are changing our stat to a dimmer one as it works best with the DHP.

    I want to attach photos but I cannot find the sticky that explains how to do it. Please could someone kindly direct me to where I can find it.

    Can a probe be placed under a hide and should the hide be placed right under the heat source. With our corn snake we have the hot hide just to the side.

    Does anyone have problems keeping the temp at the cold side up?!

    We have placed a few hides in the hot area and have a hide in the cold with the humid hide in the middle. Once I can attach the pictures you will see that the probe and thermometer are attached to a small log on top of the substrate. They may be too high off the ground to get the surface temp accurate.
  • 10-26-2023, 04:49 PM
    Homebody
    Re: Where to place the probe
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Lomu View Post
    I want to attach photos but I cannot find the sticky that explains how to do it. Please could someone kindly direct me to where I can find it.

    Here it is: https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...-Post-Pictures.
  • 10-26-2023, 05:45 PM
    Homebody
    Re: Where to place the probe
  • 10-26-2023, 05:57 PM
    Homebody
    Re: Where to place the probe
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Lomu View Post
    We are using a 3foot wooden viv. We are also using a Deep heat projector and have a probe for it and the thermometer probe. We just want to make sure that the probe is placed in the correct place. We bought an infared gun today.

    We are changing our stat to a dimmer one as it works best with the DHP.

    Can a probe be placed under a hide and should the hide be placed right under the heat source. With our corn snake we have the hot hide just to the side.

    Does anyone have problems keeping the temp at the cold side up?!

    We have placed a few hides in the hot area and have a hide in the cold with the humid hide in the middle. Once I can attach the pictures you will see that the probe and thermometer are attached to a small log on top of the substrate. They may be too high off the ground to get the surface temp accurate.

    First, I'd like to encourage you by saying that it looks like you have all the pieces for a first class set up. You'll probably just need to tweak it a bit.

    To that end, a couple questions:
    • What is the wattage of your DHP?
    • What thermostat are you using now and which one are you planning to switch to?
  • 10-26-2023, 07:16 PM
    Bogertophis
    Lomu, I've deleted the first thread to eliminate confusion (people posting in both threads), since now it's all covered here. :)
  • 10-27-2023, 02:25 AM
    Lomu
    Re: Where to place the probe
  • 10-27-2023, 02:26 AM
    Lomu
    Re: Where to place the probe
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Bogertophis View Post
    Lomu, I've deleted the first thread to eliminate confusion (people posting in both threads), since now it's all covered here. :)

    Yes thanks for doing that. I really appreciate it.
  • 10-27-2023, 02:58 AM
    Lomu
    Re: Where to place the probe
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Homebody View Post
    First, I'd like to encourage you by saying that it looks like you have all the pieces for a first class set up. You'll probably just need to tweak it a bit.

    To that end, a couple questions:
    • What is the wattage of your DHP?
    • What thermostat are you using now and which one are you planning to switch to?

    Thank you so much Homebody for the encouragement. If anyone reads this and is new to ball pythons...we have a corn snake and he likes to lie a little uncoiled in his hides so we got him hides that were for his size. Yesterday, the gentleman at the aquatics and reptiles told us to get smaller hides. I honestly stood there and was like...this is going to be such a waste of money...there is no way Lomu will fit in there. We bought 2 different hides...grey one that is like a caramel exo terra one and then the cheaper black box plastic type hides. Both are tiny but he is very happily sleeping in the grey hide this morning. I stand corrected on that one.

    The wattage on the arcadia dhp is 80W. I have attached a picture of what the stat looks like versus the stat we have for our corn snake.

    Picture number 1 is our BP stat
    Picture number 2 is our BP stat

    We used the gun last night and the corn snakes reading matched the stat. The temp from the stat and the thermometer on the corn snakes viv is the same. The stat we using for the BP is off with the thermometer. It's also not the same as the gun.

    When we got the viv it came with another stat...it is the stat that you use the 'key' to turn the dial...really off as well.

    The above has contributed to all the hassle with having to disrupt Lomu. We knew that the viv would come set up for us upon collection but in hindsight as everyone who knows says...set up the viv a week before and make all your adjustments before you get a BP. With Shaka we had him in a baby viv then spent time setting his big viv up so by the time he was put in all was good to go.

    We want to get a stat like the one we use with our corn...the classic.

    We have been thinking about moving the lamp to the middle of the ceiling away from the corner and then to the right slightly so that we are able to keep the cool side warm enough.

    Also...the half logs...we are thinking of keeping them in but moving the black hide into its place and the temp inside the log isn't very high compared to the outside of the hide.

    https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...04b350fd84.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...86ae0b1e38.jpg

    Sent from my SM-A715F using Tapatalk
  • 10-27-2023, 03:01 AM
    Lomu
    Re: Where to place the probe
    Edit...

    Picture 1 is our BP stat
    Picture 2 is our corn snake stat

    Sent from my SM-A715F using Tapatalk
  • 10-27-2023, 09:13 AM
    Homebody
    Re: Where to place the probe
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Lomu View Post
    We have been thinking about moving the lamp to the middle of the ceiling away from the corner and then to the right slightly so that we are able to keep the cool side warm enough.

    Also...the half logs...we are thinking of keeping them in but moving the black hide into its place and the temp inside the log isn't very high compared to the outside of the hide.

    I'd keep the DHP where it is for now. Having it on the side makes it easier to create a temperature gradient across the enclosure. Your DHP may just need more time to heat things up. Adding stuff like slate for the DHP to warm up may help too. I've never used DHPs myself, my friend Caitlin has. Here are a few posts from her:
    https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...be#post2783531
    https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...be#post2766676
    https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...be#post2762918.
  • 10-27-2023, 10:59 AM
    Bogertophis
    Re: Where to place the probe
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Lomu View Post
    ...we have a corn snake and he likes to lie a little uncoiled in his hides so we got him hides that were for his size. Yesterday, the gentleman at the aquatics and reptiles told us to get smaller hides. I honestly stood there and was like...this is going to be such a waste of money...there is no way Lomu will fit in there. We bought 2 different hides...grey one that is like a caramel exo terra one and then the cheaper black box plastic type hides. Both are tiny but he is very happily sleeping in the grey hide this morning. I stand corrected on that one.


    ....Also...the half logs...we are thinking of keeping them in but moving the black hide into its place and the temp inside the log isn't very high compared to the outside of the hide.....

    :gj: Yes, snakes will use large hides if that's all they have ("any port in a storm") but they do prefer to squish in to feel safe from anything sneaking in after them. Think of human designer homes promoted by fancy magazines, & do the opposite for snakes. :D Meaning: No big dramatic doorways -just one modest entrance please; No high ceilings- we snakes like "back pressure".

    Half logs are fine just as "furniture" but they're not secure feeling (way too open) so they don't count as "hides". Don't worry, you'll be thinking like a snake before long. ;) Hopefully it won't be at dinner time though. :rofl:

    BTW, I have corn snakes & always have- other rat snakes too- they are all my thing.
  • 10-27-2023, 11:00 AM
    Lomu
    Re: Where to place the probe
    Ok thanks. I read her comments and it was super helpful. We took out the chunky branch on the ground as it was blocking the heat to the cold side. Will leave now and see how the temp does over the next couple of days.
  • 10-27-2023, 01:29 PM
    Homebody
    Re: Where to place the probe
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Lomu View Post
    Ok thanks. I read her comments and it was super helpful. We took out the chunky branch on the ground as it was blocking the heat to the cold side. Will leave now and see how the temp does over the next couple of days.

    Again, I'm no DHP expert, but, as I understand it, chunky things are exactly what you should be putting into your enclosure. At first, they may absorb heat, but once warmed up, they'll begin to radiate heat. That's what you need to raise your ambient temps. Flat rocks are especially good for this. So, more chunk, not less.
  • 10-27-2023, 02:14 PM
    Lomu
    Re: Where to place the probe
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Bogertophis View Post
    :gj: Yes, snakes will use large hides if that's all they have ("any port in a storm") but they do prefer to squish in to feel safe from anything sneaking in after them. Think of human designer homes promoted by fancy magazines, & do the opposite for snakes. :D Meaning: No big dramatic doorways -just one modest entrance please; No high ceilings- we snakes like "back pressure".

    Half logs are fine just as "furniture" but they're not secure feeling (way too open) so they don't count as "hides". Don't worry, you'll be thinking like a snake before long. ;) Hopefully it won't be at dinner time though. :rofl:

    BTW, I have corn snakes & always have- other rat snakes too- they are all my thing.

    I had a good giggle...really was impressed by how Lomu squeezed into that hide.

    I moved around our corn snakes furniture and did a clean up and before I was finished he was having a good look at what was going on. Such a character!
  • 10-27-2023, 02:17 PM
    Lomu
    Re: Where to place the probe
    I popped a flat rock under the lamp so that's good to go. We leaving Lomu alone now and will check the temp when changing the water over the next 2 days. He skipped his feed on Wed but that's to be expected after 2 days of arriving back home with us. Will see if he will eat next Wednesday.

    Out of interest....what us your temp in the basking area and cool side?
  • 10-27-2023, 03:06 PM
    Homebody
    Re: Where to place the probe
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Lomu View Post
    I popped a flat rock under the lamp so that's good to go. We leaving Lomu alone now and will check the temp when changing the water over the next 2 days. He skipped his feed on Wed but that's to be expected after 2 days of arriving back home with us. Will see if he will eat next Wednesday.

    Out of interest....what us your temp in the basking area and cool side?

    When I kept a BP, I aimed for 90F and 80F (32C and 26C).
  • 10-28-2023, 03:27 AM
    Lomu
    Re: Where to place the probe
    Thanks Homebody. The cool side is 22 at the moment. We leaving things to warm up. I also put a thick layer of coconut fibre and bark chips so that also needs to warm up. Again…for those looking to buy a BP…it takes time for the viv and branches etc to warm up. That is why one needs a week before you put a BP in its viv. No idea what we going to do if the temp doesn’t rise in the cold side…cross that bridge when we get there.
  • 10-28-2023, 05:46 AM
    Homebody
    Re: Where to place the probe
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Lomu View Post
    Thanks Homebody. The cool side is 22 at the moment. We leaving things to warm up. I also put a thick layer of coconut fibre and bark chips so that also needs to warm up. Again…for those looking to buy a BP…it takes time for the viv and branches etc to warm up. That is why one needs a week before you put a BP in its viv. No idea what we going to do if the temp doesn’t rise in the cold side…cross that bridge when we get there.

    That's nippy. Anyway you and raise the ambient in the room? Turn up the thermostat in your house? A space heater? Just until the DHP finishes doing it's thing.
  • 10-28-2023, 08:02 AM
    Homebody
    Re: Where to place the probe
    You should also consider putting the corn snake in the bottom enclosure and the ball python in the top one. Heat rises. Every little bit helps. Your bp needs it more than your corn does.
  • 10-28-2023, 09:37 AM
    Bogertophis
    Re: Where to place the probe
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Homebody View Post
    You should also consider putting the corn snake in the bottom enclosure and the ball python in the top one. Heat rises. Every little bit helps. Your bp needs it more than your corn does.

    Excellent observation & I quite agree. Corn snakes don't do well with too much heat, & this would be safer & healthier for both.
  • 10-28-2023, 11:13 AM
    Lomu
    Re: Where to place the probe
    Thanks for the input. We have realised that there is too much ventilation along the top section of the viv. The corn on the top has 3 small vents and the bottom viv with our BP has a 5cm strip along the top of the viv at the back. We have blocked up sections and left 3 vent sections open and the rest closed.

    I hear you on swapping the snakes. We just want to give the BP a chance to settle. He is warm enough on the hot side and it's gone up to 24c on the cold side. Also the bedding is taking time to heat up so we hope by Monday or Tuesday the temp on the cold side will be 26c. The viv is 3ft and at the moment Lomu has a gradient which will keep him warm enough and able to move out of the hot side if he wants to.

    We are using a gun and have a thermometer. The thermometer and the stat are nearly aligned. I am assuming that one goes with what the gun says over the thermometer and stat?

    The gun read 34.8c and the thermometer read 32.4 and the stat is set at 31c. The hides are not directly below the lamp and surrounding the area at 29c inside the hide. Lomu has spent the last 2 days sleeping in the grey hide at 29c which fluctuates from 29c to 30c. He came out last night and explored - went up onto his top branch and lay near the lamp along his branch at the top then came down and eventually went into his hide. His movements are slow with lots of tongue flicking. He also lay in the cold area last night. We just happy that he is OK to come out and happy has a hide that he is enjoying.

    I will send updated pics of the viv after adjustments. He has been left alone now for a day without fiddling.
  • 10-28-2023, 11:22 AM
    Lomu
    Re: Where to place the probe
    This is the updated pics. We had a lovely massive branch across but wanted to warm up the tank without that massive branch. We will put it back once the viv is stable.

    If we struggle to keep the cool side at 26c we may have to move the lamp more towards the middle. If we don't have to swap the cages around we won't.

    The corn snake is fine at 32 on the hot side and 24 on the cool side. We turn down his temp to 24 at night. Not adjusting the BP temp until its stable.

    https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...ce72ad0d19.jpg

    Sent from my SM-A715F using Tapatalk
  • 10-28-2023, 11:23 AM
    Lomu
    Re: Where to place the probe
    I replaced the cool side hide with another grey hide that he is sleeping in on the far right.
  • 10-28-2023, 06:14 PM
    Homebody
    Re: Where to place the probe
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Lomu View Post
    Thanks for the input. We have realised that there is too much ventilation along the top section of the viv. The corn on the top has 3 small vents and the bottom viv with our BP has a 5cm strip along the top of the viv at the back. We have blocked up sections and left 3 vent sections open and the rest closed.

    I hear you on swapping the snakes. We just want to give the BP a chance to settle. He is warm enough on the hot side and it's gone up to 24c on the cold side. Also the bedding is taking time to heat up so we hope by Monday or Tuesday the temp on the cold side will be 26c. The viv is 3ft and at the moment Lomu has a gradient which will keep him warm enough and able to move out of the hot side if he wants to.

    We are using a gun and have a thermometer. The thermometer and the stat are nearly aligned. I am assuming that one goes with what the gun says over the thermometer and stat?

    The gun read 34.8c and the thermometer read 32.4 and the stat is set at 31c. The hides are not directly below the lamp and surrounding the area at 29c inside the hide. Lomu has spent the last 2 days sleeping in the grey hide at 29c which fluctuates from 29c to 30c. He came out last night and explored - went up onto his top branch and lay near the lamp along his branch at the top then came down and eventually went into his hide. His movements are slow with lots of tongue flicking. He also lay in the cold area last night. We just happy that he is OK to come out and happy has a hide that he is enjoying.

    I will send updated pics of the viv after adjustments. He has been left alone now for a day without fiddling.

    That ventilation'll get you every time. Good job sussing that out. Sounds like you're well on your way. You are correct that the temps you get from the heat gun are the most important. Keep a close eye on that basking temp. 34.8C (94.6F) is a little too high and you definitely don't want it to go any higher.
  • 10-29-2023, 07:55 AM
    Lomu
    Re: Where to place the probe
    We took all your advice and changed the snakes around. Shaka, our corn, was the one that we disturbed the most but he was out with us supervising and was inspecting everything. We literally lifted Lomu with the hide and popped him in once the top viv was sorted.

    I also realised that I had alot of substrate in the BP(Lomu) viv and wanted him to be able to burrow but right taken the excess out to help with heating up the viv. I know deep heat projector penetrate but just speeding up the heating process for now. Hope that we the cool side reaches 26c. The top viv is also smaller. We really didn't want to move the snakes but see the logic.

    The lamps are also in the correct position now so that's sorted.

    We are getting there. Exhausting! Self inflicted!

    We also moved the probes for the thermostat we have placed on the wall just outside of the lamp and left the thermometer under the heat. We are looking for thin slate to place near the heat source to distribute the heat. We have normal stone which should help for now.

    https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...9af33c4268.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...6a23a4ec84.jpg

    Sent from my SM-A715F using Tapatalk
  • 10-29-2023, 05:47 PM
    Homebody
    Re: Where to place the probe
    Looks great! You should be proud.
  • 10-30-2023, 03:56 PM
    Lomu
    Re: Where to place the probe
    Thanks so much! We still waiting for the temps to sort themselves out and we moved both probes under the heat source. Temps under the heat source is sitting at 32c. Lomu ate his supper tonight. Was super happy. My hubby was all smiles. He was sleeping when we fed Shaka our corn snake which gobbled his down then we thought we would try to see if Lomu was up to it and he woke up and ate it with no problems.

    We may have to supplement the heat source for Lomu if it doesn't reach 25c on the cool side. Giving the viv time to heat up.

    I really appreciate all the input and help.
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