Are UTH necessary?

[Dragon]

Is a UTH really necessary? I mean, in the wild, corn snakes are subjected to much colder temp's that they would ever see in my condo.

The one corn I have now, yes, I use a UTH and set it around 89*-90* and he seems to sleep over it quite a bit so it's obvious he likes it but I ask because I'm really starting to enjoy the corns and I want to get more. Which is the reason I ask and leads to another question....

With multiple tanks/UTH's what controller do you guys find is the best? I'm just starting to research this and have only looked at the Eco-Zone with the capability for 4 probes. I would like to set up 6 tanks so that means 2 of these units at almost $400 a pop.

Thoughts?

[Andrew21]

Corns brumate during the winter. It's not cold all year long. A uth on a thermostat is a must. You might want to look into building a rack. It's a lot easier than several tanks. Anyways, your hot spot shouldn't be that high. 83 to 84 degrres is good. I use this thermostat- http://www.reptilebasics.com/ve-200 With that thermostat you can regulate multiple uth's of the same wattage. So you can run 6 tanks on this single thermostat if all the uth's match up.

What are you using to regulate your uth right now? what is the cool side temp? What thermometer are you using to read the temps?

[Dragon]

Thank you for the info.

I use a thermostat with a probe for my uth's now. I also have a thermometer with a probe right next to it as a double check. The cool side is room temp, 80* when I'm gone, 76-78 when I'm home, 72-74 at night.

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Anyways, your hot spot shouldn't be that high. 83 to 84 degrres is good.

Oh, ok. I was going off this: “Provide your corn with a basking spot of 88-90° F”

I found here:
http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?127291-Corn-Snake-(Elaphe-guttata-guttata)

[Andrew21]

Yeah, that caresheet has the wrong temps. Sounds like a good setup. What brand is the themostat?

[Dragon]

Yeah, that caresheet has the wrong temps. Sounds like a good setup. What brand is the themostat?

Oh gosh, I'll have to look when I get home. It's one the was recomended on this site actualy, used for plants of all things. I have three. One I sent back, another is starting to act up. All of them less than 3 months old so I'm less than pleased with these thermostats.

[Andrew21]

Ohh, the hydrofarm? You get what you pay for. Lol

[Dragon]

Yup, that's the one...Not happy with them at all.

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So Andrew, That Reptile Basics thermostat, you're saying I can plug 4 or 6 UTH pads into this unit (via an extension cord or whatever) and monitor one tank with the probe and it should be fine? As long as all the UTH's are the same type/mfg/size/wattage/etc?

[Andrew21]

Yep. If they are the same brand and size/wattage, you should be able to. Now, the ambiant temp where the tank is actually at in your room will effect it, but not by a whole lot. If I were you I'd buy the ve-300. it's safer and has a night drop built in. for just a little bit more.

[Dragon]

Nice - Thank you

[Andrew21]

Anytime!