Help with UTH's

[LP.]

I'm getting some heat pads for my snakes today or tomorrow and I need some info on them.
Just about how I would make the sure the heat is at the correct temperature (I've read posts about something called an "Accurite"?), If I should leave them on 24/7, how I would keep the humidity up, and any other info you might think is usefull.

I'm new when it comes to ball pythons so I'll be asking questions when ever I need help.

[Vader6]

I'm getting some heat pads for my snakes today or tomorrow and I need some info on them.
Just about how I would make the sure the heat is at the correct temperature (I've read posts about something called an "Accurite"?), If I should leave them on 24/7, how I would keep the humidity up, and any other info you might think is usefull.

I'm new when it comes to ball pythons so I'll be asking questions when ever I need help.

Acu-Rite is a thermometer that is awesome to have. Measures 2 areas and humidity. Can get them at Wal-Mart for $12.
Leave the UTH on all the time
U will need a thermostat, I have a rtheostat and it didn't work that great and so I added a dimmer to that, but the UTH is just so inconsistant so you I ordered the Repti-Temp 500R for my thermostat. Keeps the UTH or lamp on or off to keep the temps where u want them.
As for humidity you need a water bowl pretty good size and if your running a lamp you need a big ass one and maybe some misting might be needed.
For more infor on what you need.......
http://www.ball-pythons.net/modules/...warticle&id=59

I've had the same issues, here are my threads hope they help:
http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...d.php?t=107583
http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...d.php?t=107410

[Kaorte]

I'm getting some heat pads for my snakes today or tomorrow and I need some info on them.
Just about how I would make the sure the heat is at the correct temperature (I've read posts about something called an "Accurite"?), If I should leave them on 24/7, how I would keep the humidity up, and any other info you might think is usefull.

I'm new when it comes to ball pythons so I'll be asking questions when ever I need help.

The accurite digital weather station is great for single setups. It records indoor temp and outdoor temp as well as humidity so it is the only thing you need to accurately measure temperatures. You can purchase these at lowes, home depot, or walmart.

Another piece of equipment you need for the UTH is a thermostat. You probably won't be able to find a good reptile thermostat in a store so I recommend buying one online. The reptitemp 500r is widely available over the internet and does its job for a single setup. It is very important that you use a thermostat with the UTHs. They can get hot enough to cook your snake if left un-regulated.

Keeping the humidity up shouldn't be a problem if you are only using UTHs for heat. Any overhead heating element will bring down the humidity. If you are having issues with humdity, you can cover 3/4ths of the screen top with aluminum foil tape (found at the home depot or lowes) to hold in temps and humidity.

Insulating the back and sides of the tank with dark foam core board is also not a bad idea. It will make the snake feel safer, help to maintain temperatures, and actually looks kinda nice!

[LP.]

The accurite digital weather station is great for single setups. It records indoor temp and outdoor temp as well as humidity so it is the only thing you need to accurately measure temperatures. You can purchase these at lowes, home depot, or walmart.

Another piece of equipment you need for the UTH is a thermostat. You probably won't be able to find a good reptile thermostat in a store so I recommend buying one online. The reptitemp 500r is widely available over the internet and does its job for a single setup. It is very important that you use a thermostat with the UTHs. They can get hot enough to cook your snake if left un-regulated.

Keeping the humidity up shouldn't be a problem if you are only using UTHs for heat. Any overhead heating element will bring down the humidity. If you are having issues with humdity, you can cover 3/4ths of the screen top with aluminum foil tape (found at the home depot or lowes) to hold in temps and humidity.

Insulating the back and sides of the tank with dark foam core board is also not a bad idea. It will make the snake feel safer, help to maintain temperatures, and actually looks kinda nice!

I only have a few questions about this.
How would I use the accurite (Inside the tank, out side of the tank, plug UTH into it???)
Same with the thermostat.

And if I do decide to use dark foam core board does that go inside or out?


I'm a noobie when it comes to this stuff so I will be asking questions when stuff comes up.

[dr del]

Hi,

Well the base unit of the acurite measures both temp and humidity so most people put that on the cool end of the tank (inside ) and put the probe (which measures only temperature ) on the warm end.

During the initial set up you will probably be moving the probe about a bit to get temps on the glass above the UTH, inside the warm end hide and inside the cool end hide.

The thermostat plugs into the wall and the UTH plugs into the thermostat - the thermostat probe goes between the UTH and the bottom of the tank on the outside of the tank so that the snake cannot affect the reading by urinating or sitting on it.

Adjust the thermostat until the temp directly on the glass reads about 95f and then adjust the thickness and type of substrate until the surface of the substrate inside the hot end hide reads between 90f and 94f.

Then measure the temp in the cool end hide - you are looking for around 80f - 82f if possible.

If you need to insulate the tank then it goes on the outside of the tank on the sides, back and bottom. To improve the look you can put aquarium backing paper on the tank first so that it looks naturalistic when you look through the glass of the tank.


dr del