new tub setup for baby/juveniles

[neo8175]

In the process of setting up a tub for a baby/juvenile (100g-150g) BP that I'm getting next week. Been working on getting correct temps. Everything seems right - basking temp 90-92F, hot side 86-88F, cool side 76-78F, humidity 60-70%. using a uth and dual temp thermostat to regulate the uth and CHE lamp. but I second guessing myself about the height of the tub. Do you think the tub height is too low with using a CHE lamp directly above the basking hide? Tub dimensions are 18x24x7. I plan on filling the extra space with extra hides or plants and will continue using paper towels. Maybe will switch to coco husk later.

https://ibb.co/bLXpDtb
https://ibb.co/6B6Tr9n
https://ibb.co/m9b9ycJ

[Homebody]

Do you think the tub height is too low with using a CHE lamp directly above the basking hide?

Looks good to me, as long as you've tested it and you're sure the CHE won't melt the plastic.

[neo8175]

Yea, there's an aluminum screen holding up the CHE lamp so no worries.
Is the height of the tub ok? Not sure if I need a taller tub so the BP won't accidentally touch the CHE lamp.

[Bogertophis]

... Do you think the tub height is too low with using a CHE lamp directly above the basking hide? Tub dimensions are 18x24x7....

That is pretty low, but the only way to know for sure is to test it- and I mean let it run for a week & keep checking the temps. to make sure. I'd worry about the top of the hide being hot enough to harm the snake if it crawled on top. Excessive heat can harm a snake faster than not enough- I'd personally go for 88-90 max. anywhere in the tub.

[Bogertophis]

Yea, there's an aluminum screen holding up the CHE lamp so no worries.
Is the height of the tub ok? Not sure if I need a taller tub so the BP won't accidentally touch the CHE lamp.

A hatchling BP can easily touch the top when the tub is only 7" high. I can't speak for what others do, but I've only ever used a tub that height for brumating snakes in winter. (ie. with NO heat whatsoever). Honestly, taller would be safer, IMO.

Also- what kind of t-stat is controlling the CHE? If it's the "on-off" type, it's going to be on full blast at times, making the heat a risk whenever it's "on". Hopefully it's the proportional type, that continuously dims the output, if (?) a CHE will function that way. (I don't use CHE, so I'm not sure.)

[Homebody]

Yea, there's an aluminum screen holding up the CHE lamp so no worries.
Is the height of the tub ok? Not sure if I need a taller tub so the BP won't accidentally touch the CHE lamp.

Out of curiosity, he's going to touch it. Will he burn himself? I doubt it, but I would check the temperature of the aluminum screen to see how high it gets. My RHP reaches 150F and my snake hasn't burned himself on it.

[neo8175]

I'm using this thermostat:
https://www.amazon.com/Inkbird-Therm...08Y5JDYFY?th=1

It's an on/off thermostat but controls the temp within a set range and has wifi capability so I get alerts if
the temp is above or below a set point. So far, it's working ok.

[Caitlin]

I've used a lot of Inkbirds in the temporary tub setups you are describing and they've been fine. I am also quite fond of the tub you are using but I have never used a CHE or lamp with one.

Since the tub is so low, I have never placed a lamp in the way I am seeing here. I'm not saying you are wrong - just that I have no experience with this. I'd frankly be too worried about the snake being able to press up against the hot screen in a tub that low.

If I were using this setup I'd do one of three things:

Set the lamp/CHE up on a lamp stand so that you can elevate it above the enclosure. You can get the stands on Amazon or they should be available at your local big-box pet store. Just search 'reptile lamp stand'.

Not use the lamp at all and just use the UTH (on a thermostat of course) to provide a warm spot. This won't work if you keep ambient temps in the room pretty chilly but if the ambient temps are in the 70s you should be fine.

Use a taller tub.

Editing to add: Get a laser temp gun and over the course of several days, check the interior and exterior surface temps of the hide if you are placing the hide directly under the CHE. You don't want to cook this baby.

[neo8175]

Thanks for the feedback. I considered using a lamp stand but it would be hard to control the humidity levels with the top open. Plus the CHE lamp would have to work harder to raise the air temp as opposed to resting on top of the alum. screen.

The room temps fluctuate too much (66F-78F) to just use a UTH so will need an addt'l heating source. Would consider a space heater if I get multiple BP's in the same room.

I have a laser temp gun so will check. What surface temp would you consider safe on top of the hide, <95F?