Surface temps too low, should I turn up my thermostat?

[KoiNip]

As of now the temperature in my ball python's 15 gallon terrarium on the surface of the aspen substrate averages out at 80-83 degrees (All degrees are in Fahrenheit) on the warm side. I know this is too low for the hot side of the tank, so I intend to increase the temperature somehow.

I do have a thermostat and it's probe is currently inside the tank, rested against the glass (I know there is some controversy over probe placement, I may move it later but now I want to focus on fixing the temps). The thermostat is set to 93 degrees, and I've found that my heating pad does reach those temps right on the glass. I want to make sure that my snake has the right temps so it can thrive, and for that I've heard the warm side of the tank must be 90 degrees on the substrate.

Should I increase my thermostat temps in order to increase the surface temps of the substrate? If I did the glass would get VERY hot, and could burn my snake if it buries into the substrate (It hasn't yet, but she's still new). On the other hand, I have to reach the right temps somehow.

Thank you for any advice.

[redshepherd]

I actually would just make the substrate thinner to begin with, and they'll definitely push aside the substrate eventually and lay right against the glass.

So I'd make the substrate thinner and keep the thermostat temp as is.

[Craiga 01453]

Snake's can and will burrow, push substrate around and lay directly on the glass. So you want your actual glass surface no hotter than 90. I go 88-89. So you'll want to adjust yoyr tstat to whatever is requiredto achieve those temps.

As for the probe placement, always OUTSIDE. They can and will be moved, peed on, etc...which can cause inaccurate readings and potential heat spikes. These heat spikes can be dangerous and even fatal.

[PitOnTheProwl]

So the temp under the substrate is correct.
Only problem is probe placement.

[KoiNip]

I actually would just make the substrate thinner to begin with, and they'll definitely push aside the substrate eventually and lay right against the glass.

So I'd make the substrate thinner and keep the thermostat temp as is.

Thank you, I'll do just that!

[KoiNip]

Snake's can and will burrow, push substrate around and lay directly on the glass. So you want your actual glass surface no hotter than 90. I go 88-89. So you'll want to adjust yoyr tstat to whatever is requiredto achieve those temps.

As for the probe placement, always OUTSIDE. They can and will be moved, peed on, etc...which can cause inaccurate readings and potential heat spikes. These heat spikes can be dangerous and even fatal.

I've heard this about probe placement as well, unfortunately I can't put the probe between the heat mat at the moment as it's already applied and removing it is not recommended from what I've seen. I check probe placement constantly to ensure it hasn't moved, in the future I'll definitely look to fix this.

[Craiga 01453]

I've heard this about probe placement as well, unfortunately I can't put the probe between the heat mat at the moment as it's already applied and removing it is not recommended from what I've seen. I check probe placement constantly to ensure it hasn't moved, in the future I'll definitely look to fix this.

You have two options.

1) you can carefully and slowly peel back the UTH. I've done this several times and never damaged one.

2) you can use aluminum tape and tape the probe to the bottomof the UTH. I've never done this, but know of many people who have

I wouldn't be willing to roll the dice foreven a single day with my animals. One heat spikes can cause burns, neurological problems or even be fatal. Snake's don'tdo well with excessive heat, even for short periods.

[cletus]

I tape the probe to the top of the UTH with heat tape. Enclosure sits right on top of that. I monitor temp readings directly from the floor of the of the enclosure above the hot spot. Like mentioned before all my snakes scoot all the substrate aside and sit directly on the enclosure floor on the hot spot. I keep my snake room at a constant 82 degrees. They all have a hide on top of the hot spot and one on the cool side. Except for the boas. They just have one hide on the hot side. Works for me.

[Zincubus]

Just remember any newbies or inexperienced people reading these excerpts suggestions ..

Any tape mentioned is only used OUTSIDE the viv /tub NEVER inside ..


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[KoiNip]

You have two options.

1) you can carefully and slowly peel back the UTH. I've done this several times and never damaged one.

2) you can use aluminum tape and tape the probe to the bottomof the UTH. I've never done this, but know of many people who have

I wouldn't be willing to roll the dice foreven a single day with my animals. One heat spikes can cause burns, neurological problems or even be fatal. Snake's don'tdo well with excessive heat, even for short periods.

Thanks for your advice. Just out of curiosity, what I were to hotglue the probe to the tank floor so it wouldn't be movable by the snake? If the probe were fastened to the floor of the enclosure in a secure enough way, then there wouldn't be a reason to worry about it moving.