Need HELP with temps!!

I need some fast help with getting my ambient temperature up. Im going to be picking my BP up monday so im getting kind of worried.
I have a 31qt tub and two 3"x12" 10watt flexwatt strips that are on a herpstat. The tub is insulated on 3 sides completely and about 1/2 of the 4th side, the tub is covered on both sides of the lid with the same insulation. My herpstat is currently at 97.7, the hot side is at 93.9* and the cool side is 74.3*, the room temp is 71*. Im using a accurite thermometer w/probe under the hot hide, directly on the bottom of the inside of the tub. The tub is sitting on a board with the same insulation on the board. Ive tried aspen on the bottom of the tub, using just enough to cover the bottom and am currently using newspaper but basically getting the same results as the aspen. I ordered another strip of flexwat to put on the cool side to try to get the tub temp up, but im worried its not going to raise the air temp.
So what can i do to raise the ambient temp? Also, i cant use a space heater, i live in a pretty small apartment and it would warm the whole thing up real fast.

All input is appreciated!

Thanks,
Mike~

How many holes do you have drilled in the tub?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Slim

How many holes do you have drilled in the tub?

---

about 12 or so, currently i have them all taped up though.

I also just put foil under the flexwatt to see of that would help dissipate the heat more, didn't make a difference though :(

I don't think 74* for a few days while you are waiting for more flexwatt will be a problem.
How are you measuring the ambient temp and where is the thermometer located in the tub?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Kaorte

I don't think 74* for a few days while you are waiting for more flexwatt will be a problem.
How are you measuring the ambient temp and where is the thermometer located in the tub?

---

Measuring ambient temp with accurite dig. thermometer i got from walmart with probe under newspaper under warm hide. I also have a temp gun and when i had the aspen in there and shot it, it gave the same reading.

Thanks for the input on the waiting for shipping!

Mike~

Well it seems like you are doing everything you can so I can't think of much more to suggest. Did you ever try the space heater? I know you were worried about it getting too hot in the room, but maybe you could put it on the low setting and put it on a timer.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Kaorte

Well it seems like you are doing everything you can so I can't think of much more to suggest. Did you ever try the space heater? I know you were worried about it getting too hot in the room, but maybe you could put it on the low setting and put it on a timer.

---

Neh..it had a dig thermometer build into it to auto shut off the heat, but i just know that wouldn't work for my setup.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by MikeG

Neh..it had a dig thermometer build into it to auto shut off the heat, but i just know that wouldn't work for my setup.

---

Hmm. Well, just for the record I have had my ambients in the lower 70's and my BP has been fine. She is almost always on the hot side so the air temp in her hide is actually warmer than what my thermometer was measuring outside her hide.

Also, my herpstat is on proportional for heating, should i switch it to non proportional so that it doesn't give a smooth increase in power?

Thanks,
Mike~

I would keep it on proportional (that is the kind with the steady flow of reduced power right? I can never remember). As far as I know, proportional thermostats are better because the temperature doesn't fluctuate.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Kaorte

I would keep it on proportional (that is the kind with the steady flow of reduced power right? I can never remember). As far as I know, proportional thermostats are better because the temperature doesn't fluctuate.

---

Yup..

And my temp. on the herpstat keeps going from 94.6 to 95.4 even when i change the power output settings on it

Thanks,
Mike~

BUMP 4 Some more ideas

I think im going to pick up some MDF and make a "cover" for the tub that will cover all but one side that i can slide the tub in and out of..hopefully that will do something for my temp.

Im getting agravated over this:( i wish i knew what would work for sure so i can stop worrying about it.


Mike~

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by MikeG

I think im going to pick up some MDF and make a "cover" for the tub that will cover all but one side that i can slide the tub in and out of..hopefully that will do something for my temp.

Im getting agravated over this:( i wish i knew what would work for sure so i can stop worrying about it.


Mike~

---

I wouldn't really recommend MDF. If that stuff gets wet, it will just fall apart. Not to mention it is ridiculously heavy. You could try some melamine instead. :D

proportional or on/off either pretty much dont matter for the snake.

do you have a camera id like to better see how you have it.

also what kinda tub is it some dont have tight fitting lids

also you shouldnt be changing the power output you should only be changing the temp setting

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by nixer

proportional or on/off either pretty much dont matter for the snake.

do you have a camera id like to better see how you have it.

also what kinda tub is it some don't have tight fitting lids

also you shouldn't be changing the power output you should only be changing the temp setting

---

Its a 31qt sterilite i got from walmart. The secures to the tub with these latches you slide inward on the top of the lid.

I was messing with the power only because the manual said if your temps fluctuate you can switch it to lower or higher output to get it right.

And here are two quick pics i took with my phone..still haven'tf dug out the dig cam yet.

That is the only non covered part-
http://img22.imageshack.us/img22/676...5623010467.jpg


Flexwatt is taped down to insulation..(should i put it back on the bottom of tub?)
http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/136...5599200470.jpg


Flexwatt is currently at 100F, hotside is at 86 and sloowwwwlllly rising, cool side is 74. I just put the tub back in there about 10min ago so ill post back the temps when they steady off.

Thanks for the reply

Mike~

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by MikeG

Its a 31qt sterilite i got from walmart. The secures to the tub with these latches you slide inward on the top of the lid.

I was messing with the power only because the manual said if your temps fluctuate you can switch it to lower or higher output to get it right.

And here are two quick pics i took with my phone..still haven'tf dug out the dig cam yet.

That is the only non covered part-
http://img22.imageshack.us/img22/676...5623010467.jpg


Flexwatt is taped down to insulation..(should i put it back on the bottom of tub?)
http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/136...5599200470.jpg


Flexwatt is currently at 100F, hotside is at 86 and sloowwwwlllly rising, cool side is 74. I just put the tub back in there about 10min ago so ill post back the temps when they steady off.

Thanks for the reply

Mike~

---

there is too many openings with the refletix which is why you having such a temp issue.if you taped the seams for the top, back, and 2 sides of the tub it would hold the heat in better.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by nixer

there is too many openings with the refletix which is why you having such a temp issue.if you taped the seams for the top, back, and 2 sides of the tub it would hold the heat in better.

---

The seams? The seams on the refletix?


Thanks,
Mike~

o and btw, the top and most of the sides are hot glued, not taped..

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by MikeG

o and btw, the top and most of the sides are hot glued, not taped..

---

from the pics it looks like the sides come short of the top

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by nixer

from the pics it looks like the sides come short of the top

---

in the front they are short, sides and back they go all the way up. I just taped all the seams on the tub and the lid, its warming back up right now, ill let you know in a few what happens.

Thanks!

Mike~

Ok, herpstat is at 104F hot side is at 96.4 cool side 74.8..so im bringing down the hot side...but WTF with my cool side:mad::confused::confused:

Its like i just cant trap the warm air anywhere but everything is sealed up. The tub is by the door, but its 71 Right by the door and there arnt any drafts.:taz:


sigh..


Mike~

Do you already have two peices of flexwatt? It looks like you do in that second picture.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Kaorte

Do you already have two peices of flexwatt? It looks like you do in that second picture.

---

yeah, there wired together. 3" 10watt

I should be getting another strip of that tomorrow and im going to put it on the cool side bottom...i doubt that's going to change my ambient temp though


Mike~

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by MikeG

yeah, there wired together. 3" 10watt

I should be getting another strip of that tomorrow and im going to put it on the cool side bottom...i doubt that's going to change my ambient temp though


Mike~

---

oh hm, cause I was thinking you could just move one piece over to the cool side.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Kaorte

oh hm, cause I was thinking you could just move one piece over to the cool side.

---

yea..but i guess im going to have to do it tom. I just hate that im going to be tinkering with his tub when hes already going to be stressed enough.

I re did the flexwatt again and now its taped on the bottom of the tub with a piece of foil between. herpstat at 102 hotside 95.5 cool side 75.9 so when i turn it down here in a sec that cool side will drop again : (


Thanks,
Mike~

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by MikeG

yea..but i guess im going to have to do it tom. I just hate that im going to be tinkering with his tub when hes already going to be stressed enough.

I re did the flexwatt again and now its taped on the bottom of the tub with a piece of foil between. herpstat at 102 hotside 95.5 cool side 75.9 so when i turn it down here in a sec that cool side will drop again : (


Thanks,
Mike~

---

75 isn't that bad for the cool side. What is the ambient right above the hot side?

Ooooooook, now im getting some where!

Today i bought 2 more tubs, a 40watt heat bulb (the type that does just heat, not light), a lamp for it, and a two probe temp/humidity sensor.
I mounted the lamp above the cool side.
Here is a pic-
http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/8075/dsc01550.jpg


I got some galvanized harware cloth...basically its just screening on steroids, it has 1/2 holes in it, and thats what the lamp is sitting on over a hole that i cut out the size of the lamp.

Right now my temps are going crazy but in a good way!! My hot side temp under hide is 94.4 with herpstat at 95, cool side is 80 right now on the far back side on the cool side and 79 inside the hide on the cool side. The temps are slowly rising a bit so i just need to level everything off in the next hour or two. Im also back to using aspen!

IM SO HAPPY/RELIEVED/EXCITED!! My humidity has gone down a lot, but it was around 70 before so i shouldn't have a prob. with that.

:banana:WHOOT FOR THINGS FINALLY WORKING FOR ME!!!!!!!:banana:



Mike~

Just to let you know, with heat lamps, the humidity is usually lower ;)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by southernboagurl

Just to let you know, with heat lamps, the humidity is usually lower ;)

---

Yea, thats what ive been reading, but seems like an easier fix then what raising the temps were lol.

I think im going to pick up some moss when i go pick up my bp later today in case i have to make a humid hide or put bowls around with the damp moss in them.
:)
Thanks!

Mike~

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by MikeG

Yea, thats what ive been reading, but seems like an easier fix then what raising the temps were lol.

I think im going to pick up some moss when i go pick up my bp later today in case i have to make a humid hide or put bowls around with the damp moss in them.
:)
Thanks!

Mike~

---

I've seen people use them also and some people detest them with a passion. It's whatever works best for you and your reptiles. Just make sure to use that tempgun if you're using both the flexwatt and the heat lamp, it's sure to get very hot in there. You may want to consider putting that heat lamp on a dimmer if not on a rheostat/thermostat.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by southernboagurl

I've seen people use them also and some people detest them with a passion. It's whatever works best for you and your reptiles. Just make sure to use that tempgun if you're using both the flexwatt and the heat lamp, it's sure to get very hot in there. You may want to consider putting that heat lamp on a dimmer if not on a rheostat/thermostat.

---

Currently i have the heat lamp on the herpstat along with the flexwatt, im getting the flexwatt around 93 and the ambient temp on cool side is 76-77. I have 3 temp/humidity gauges in there. The one that's under the cool hide says 76 (its a zilla brand) and the cool side temp that's being measured with an accurite is 77. warm air temp above the warm hide is 74.

Still messing with it and moving things around a little, im really hoping that i can keep the lamp on the herpstat for safety reasons, but i bought a rheostat just in case ;)

Thanks again!

Mike~

so..im an idiot, drove 30min (one way) to a closed pet shop:disbelief:thumbsdow

They close at 6 only on Mondays..i was 45min late lol

OOOO well..now i can try different setups until Thursday when i have another day off to pick him up.


My temps are all set and perfect now :banana:
92 under warm hide, 83 on cool side hide. ambiant temp on warm 79, cool side 84

Thanks again to everyone that gave some input on my problem, you don't know how much i appreciate it.

Mike~

What size is the snake??

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by southernboagurl

What size is the snake??

---

exact length, not sure. He is roughly 6month old..i would have to say foot and a half.. lol only held him once.


Mike~

Okay this is just in my opinion but a snake that is only 6 mos old doesn't need anything larger than like a 12-15qt tub.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by southernboagurl

Okay this is just in my opinion but a snake that is only 6 mos old doesn't need anything larger than like a 12-15qt tub.

---

..yeah..i know. I do have a good sized water bowl and some fake plant things in there to make it feel more secure.

Im actually thinking of picking up a 10gal tank after class and trying that.

idk.. I figure im going to have to have 2 herpstats anyways and in the tub my humidity is around 40% so i figure in a 10gal tank it should be just the same just ill have more of a view of him.


I do still have a 11"x12" and 3" 10watt strip of flexwatt coming to my house lol.

If i do get a tank, how would i use the herpstat with a heat lamp? Where would i put the probe for the herpstat? Would i put the hot hide right under the heat lamp and the probe on top of the hide?

I don't know what im doing lol, i keep changing my mind.

Thanks,
Mike~