Herpstat/temp question

Hey everybody, just got my herpstat and flexwat yesterday and got my tub all setup last night.
Now i still have to put THIS under my tub and possibly on 3 sides and put a few air holes in the tub still.
Right now my herpstat temp. is at 98.5 and my cool side is 70* and warm side is 75*
My question is, how high can i set that temp to be without being too hot for the tub/snake? I don't want my new guy moving the aspen and burning himself on the bottom of the tub.

O, and how many holes should i put in the tub? (31qt) Should i put them 3/4 on the cold side and the other 1/4 on the warm side so it wont cool to fast?


Thanks!!
Mike~

The warm side should be 92-94

Quote:

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Originally Posted by llovelace

The warm side should be 92-94

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Right, that's what im tryin to get it to. But how high can i turn up my herpstat without it being too hot for the tub/snake?


O, i also have about 1.5"-2" of aspen threw out the tub if that makes any difference.

Thanks,
Mike~

you should be measuring the temp with a thermometer as well as the t-stat. i have a herpstat and the temps are a little different from the t-stat to the thermometer.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lucas339

you should be measuring the temp with a thermometer as well as the t-stat. i have a herpstat and the temps are a little different from the t-stat to the thermometer.

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I am, i have a accurite w/probe in there as well. The main unit is on the cool side and the probe is under the warm hide.

sorry i didn't make all this clear in the beginning...just woke up lol

O, the herpstat probe is under the flexwatt on the outside (of course).


Thanks,
Mike~

Well, for starters this is what I did when I placed my scale kids in tubs many moons ago. Not sure if your setup is a free standing tub or its in a rack:confused:.


Freestanding tub:

1. You could use a piece of MDF board (1/2 inch would work) as the base for said tub and route out the size of the flexwatt so that the flexwatt is about 1/4 inch below the tub. That's if you have access to a router. Gives you room to place the probe in there as well with some foil tape. Makes sense? There is no direct contact with the flexwatt, just radiant heat and feel better about wrapping the tub with the item you provided in the link. I also use newspaper, IMHO it's more consistent with temps:D.

2. For the holes, I used my dremel with a drill bit 1/8 in size and made holes towards the opposite end of where the UTH is, around the groove where the lid would normally go. I made them about 1 inch apart and only made a few at a time so that I can monitor the environment over the course of a week. In the event I made too many I just used my glue gun to seal up a few, its safe and seals up like a rivet around the hole.

3. I never drilled holes on the lid (if its a freestanding tub). I was letting too much humidity out that way. I also used small clamps to secure the lid if this is in fact the way your tub will be setup.

Coincidentally I am in the process of making another base for a new snake I have coming for my QT area. I will take pictures in the event you might be interested. :) Mike I hope it helps.

My herpstat reads 98.4 and the tub is at 90.0. FYI

then just keep messing with it until your warm side temps get to where you want them.

i got my herpstat set at 106 to get a tub temp of 91 (on the hot side)...But i use back heat not belly heat. oh, and my probe is taped directly to the heat tape halfway up. My cool end is 82-85.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ARamos8

Well, for starters this is what I did when I placed my scale kids in tubs many moons ago. Not sure if your setup is a free standing tub or its in a rack:confused:.


Freestanding tub:

1. You could use a piece of MDF board (1/2 inch would work) as the base for said tub and route out the size of the flexwatt so that the flexwatt is about 1/4 inch below the tub. That's if you have access to a router. Gives you room to place the probe in there as well with some foil tape. Makes sense? There is no direct contact with the flexwatt, just radiant heat and feel better about wrapping the tub with the item you provided in the link. I also use newspaper, IMHO it's more consistent with temps:D.

2. For the holes, I used my dremel with a drill bit 1/8 in size and made holes towards the opposite end of where the UTH is, around the groove where the lid would normally go. I made them about 1 inch apart and only made a few at a time so that I can monitor the environment over the course of a week. In the event I made too many I just used my glue gun to seal up a few, its safe and seals up like a rivet around the hole.

3. I never drilled holes on the lid (if its a freestanding tub). I was letting too much humidity out that way. I also used small clamps to secure the lid if this is in fact the way your tub will be setup.

Coincidentally I am in the process of making another base for a new snake I have coming for my QT area. I will take pictures in the event you might be interested. :) Mike I hope it helps.

My herpstat reads 98.4 and the tub is at 90.0. FYI

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My tub is actually on a 18"x41" half inch MDF lol. I don't have access to a router right now though, but that's a great idea! I think where my herpstat probe is, is in a bad spot. I have it between one of the 3" flexwatt strips and the tub. I think that's allowing to much of an air gap on that piece.

Right now my herpstat is set at 128*F and the inside temp on the hot side is 85 Room temp is currently 68*
I wrapped 3 sides with the foil stuff and the tub is also sitting on it and that helped raise it about 4-5* Im just worrying that im going to get the tub bottom to hot.


Thanks for all the reply's, its really appreciated!

My probe is smacked on top of my flexwatt with foil tape. More than likely you are also dealing with the ambient temps in the room the tub is in. If possible try to find another spot in the house where you can keep it. Try to stay away from exterior walls (unless you have a heated room), windows, central air vents, get my point? I hope that helps out. :)

Hi,

I may be reading your post wrong.

Measure the temp on the bottom of the tub directly above the UTH and under the substrate.

What does that say? - that is the temp you should try and get in the 92-95f range.

Once that is right then adjust the depth of the substrate so that temps are in the 90-94f range inside the warm end hide.

Does that make sense? It's late and I'm getting punchy. :oops:


dr del

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dr del

Hi,

I may be reading your post wrong.

Measure the temp on the bottom of the tub directly above the UTH and under the substrate.

What does that say? - that is the temp you should try and get in the 92-95f range.

Once that is right then adjust the depth of the substrate so that temps are in the 90-94f range inside the warm end hide.

Does that make sense? It's late and I'm getting punchy. :oops:


dr del

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Thanks for the reply! I already got the hotside temp set, did exactly how u explaned it above.
My cool side will only get to room temp right now(low 70's). I ordered another 3" flexwatt to put under my cool side to try to raise that temp up around 83..should get that monday, the same day im picking up my bp.

So i have my accurite probe on the hotside on the bottom of the tub, under the substrait and im getting 93*F, but if i get my temp gun and shoot the inside of the hide ontop of the substrait its around 74*F. I have a very thin layer of aspen, just enought to cover the bottom...will this be a problem? I seems like my ambiant temp in my tub just wont rise any, even if i crank up the warm side temp (had it to 130somethin at one point lol).
Room temp is at 70, its a 31qt tub, and the temps dont change if i cover up the air holes eather.

Thanks,
Mike~

o, also, if i get my bp monday and for some reason my flexwatt doesnt show up that day, will he be ok with the temps i currently have? (72 cool side, 92hot side)


Thanks,
Mike~

Hi,

Thats the problem I'm having trouble understanding - if the tempgun is saying your surface temps inside the warm end hide are 74f then you haven't got the hot side right yet in all probability.

I would suggest putting the acurite prob inside the hide on top of the substrate then waiting an hour and seeing what that read - if it says 74f then you really need to think about removing the substrate and trying something like a couple of sheets of newspaper to see if that makes a difference I think.

The extra flexwatt should help boost cool side temps but would suffer exactly the same substrate problem in all likelyhood.

If the cool side flex doesn't appear on time you could try some short term measures like a red bulb (controlled by a rheostat ) placed a couple of feet away but shining on the cool end - it's a pain in the butt to control which is why I say short term and you must make absolutely certain it doesn't overheat the tub.

I'm not sure what else to suggest really - apart from something drastic like an mdf frame to make it a one slot enclosed rack. :confused:


dr del

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dr del

Hi,

Thats the problem I'm having trouble understanding - if the tempgun is saying your surface temps inside the warm end hide are 74f then you haven't got the hot side right yet in all probability.

I would suggest putting the acurite prob inside the hide on top of the substrate then waiting an hour and seeing what that read - if it says 74f then you really need to think about removing the substrate and trying something like a couple of sheets of newspaper to see if that makes a difference I think.

The extra flexwatt should help boost cool side temps but would suffer exactly the same substrate problem in all likelyhood.

If the cool side flex doesn't appear on time you could try some short term measures like a red bulb (controlled by a rheostat ) placed a couple of feet away but shining on the cool end - it's a pain in the butt to control which is why I say short term and you must make absolutely certain it doesn't overheat the tub.

I'm not sure what else to suggest really - apart from something drastic like an mdf frame to make it a one slot enclosed rack. :confused:


dr del

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When I get off work ill put the accu probe in the hide like you said..but im sure its going to be too low of a temp. and if it is then I can't turn up the herpstat because the bottom of the tub would be too hot for the snakes belly if he pushed the aspen away.

Could it also be that im using to big of a tub? its 31qt and the bp im getting is roughly 6mo old. I know the tub is big for him, but I picked up some fake plants to put in there to make em feel more secure. Think if I went with a bit smaller tub that would be better all around? and if so, what size tub would you recommend that could hold two hides and a water bowl?

Ill also try the newspaper (non color print..right?) if my temps are still too low ontop of the aspen. I would just assume that the snake would prefer something a little more natural like aspen.


Thank you for your help

Mike~

Hi,

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MikeG

When I get off work ill put the accu probe in the hide like you said..but im sure its going to be too low of a temp. and if it is then I can't turn up the herpstat because the bottom of the tub would be too hot for the snakes belly if he pushed the aspen away.

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Yup -that's why I'm suggesting taking the aspen out of the equation for now - if we can simplify it but get it working well before you bring him home that is by far the best way to go. :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MikeG

Could it also be that im using to big of a tub? its 31qt and the bp im getting is roughly 6mo old. I know the tub is big for him, but I picked up some fake plants to put in there to make em feel more secure. Think if I went with a bit smaller tub that would be better all around? and if so, what size tub would you recommend that could hold two hides and a water bowl?

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Unless the tub is thicker on the bottom than the smaller ones it shouldn't be whats causing your immediate problem. Smaller tubs are better for more nervous snakes but you can try it with this size and see how he deals with it after the initial settling in period. Just keep in mind a smaller one might be needed if he won't settle down and eat well.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MikeG

Ill also try the newspaper (non color print..right?) if my temps are still too low ontop of the aspen. I would just assume that the snake would prefer something a little more natural like aspen.

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I use coloured newspaper all the time without any problems. :)

I have never had much of a problem with it staining the undersides of the snakes either - but then again it might be more noticeable with a BEL or albino.

Each substrate has its good and bad points - I personally like the fact I can't spot clean with newspaper. It's either clean or it isn't - and if it isn't I clean it. :gj:


dr del

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dr del

Hi,



Yup -that's why I'm suggesting taking the aspen out of the equation for now - if we can simplify it but get it working well before you bring him home that is by far the best way to go. :)



Unless the tub is thicker on the bottom than the smaller ones it shouldn't be whats causing your immediate problem. Smaller tubs are better for more nervous snakes but you can try it with this size and see how he deals with it after the initial settling in period. Just keep in mind a smaller one might be needed if he won't settle down and eat well.



I use coloured newspaper all the time without any problems. :)

I have never had much of a problem with it staining the undersides of the snakes either - but then again it might be more noticeable with a BEL or albino.

Each substrate has its good and bad points - I personally like the fact I can't spot clean with newspaper. It's either clean or it isn't - and if it isn't I clean it. :gj:


dr del

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Thank you again for the info!
I cant wait now to try the newspaper! This temp. prob has been killing me for days, im the kind of person that if its not exactly right, ill be going crazy till i get it right.:rolleye2:

Ill let you know how it goes!

Thanks,
Mike~

AHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I don't understand :tears::tears::tears::tears::tears::tears:

I'm using one sheet of newspaper, herpstat on 100F, hot side 95F cool side 73F

I even insulated the cover, inside and out using hot glue to apply the insulation, and the sides are covered with the insulation as well. My room temp is currently 71F and the air holes i made in the tub are covered with tape.

I don't get why i cant raise my air temps...

what should i do?


Mike~

Hi,

What make of heatmat do you have? - some specifically do not heat the air in the way you would expect. Ultratherm for example are like that.

While it is good to get ambients at a good level it is more important to make sure the animal itself can raise its body temperature to the needed level I think.

The second piece of UTH should get the cool end temps right - or you could try the bulb idea to see how that works as it would be conventional radiant heat.

Anyone else got any ideas to try?


dr del

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dr del

Hi,

What make of heatmat do you have? - some specifically do not heat the air in the way you would expect. Ultratherm for example are like that.

While it is good to get ambients at a good level it is more important to make sure the animal itself can raise its body temperature to the needed level I think.

The second piece of UTH should get the cool end temps right - or you could try the bulb idea to see how that works as it would be conventional radiant heat.

Anyone else got any ideas to try?


dr del

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Im using two 3" 10watt Flexwatt strips, both side by side.
The lamp idea might work if i can find a super low wattage bulb to use so it wont raise it too high. The only thing i dont like about that is if the temp in my apartment goes up because it gets really warm one day and im at work...that would suck.

Thanks for your reply...i might start a new thread later to try to draw some more attention to my prob.

Thanks,
Mike~