Just Switched To Coconut Fiber Husk

[TheSnakeEye]

Ok so today I went a little crazy and decided to switch to coconut fiber husk. It looks good and natural, but since it's a thicker substrate than regular newspaper, I have a few questions. I know I asked about where to place my probe on my rack, but what temp should I set the thermostat considering the rack doesn't sit directly on the tape, and now that I have substrate the snake sits even higher. So if I want temps of 90 degress for the BP's what should I set it too?

[Reps4life]

honestly set it to whatever it takes to get the hot side of your tub/tank to 90.

[RichsBallPythons]

Keep the bedding thin and set it to 93 and should get a 88-90 which is perfect

[TheSnakeEye]

Thanks Rich! I didn't know you were on here too, I've follwed your post on repticzone.

[gardenfiend138]

Yeah, if you're using only coco coir, even if you lay a thick layer, its still able to be manipulated to the point where the snake can come in contact with the floor of the enclosure. I use a mix of substrates and nestle the probe so its visible on the top but submerged in the substrate...I have my thermostat set way high because of it though, so Im always checking the probe to make sure it is in place, and making sure there is no displacement of substrate in the hide... if you're going from newspaper to coco tho, id say keep it thin and have the probe on the floor of the enclosure

[RichsBallPythons]

What post, theres many out there

[RichsBallPythons]

Yeah, if you're using only coco coir, even if you lay a thick layer, its still able to be manipulated to the point where the snake can come in contact with the floor of the enclosure. I use a mix of substrates and nestle the probe so its visible on the top but submerged in the substrate...I have my thermostat set way high because of it though, so Im always checking the probe to make sure it is in place, and making sure there is no displacement of substrate in the hide... if you're going from newspaper to coco tho, id say keep it thin and have the probe on the floor of the enclosure

Thermostat probe NEVER goes inside the enclosure. When doing this you have the occurrence of pee and poops on the probe. This in turn causes rapid cool downs and cause the thermostat to kick on full gear to get temps back up.

In return causing a major spike in temps and the possibility of burns.

Always keep the thermostat probe OUTSIDE secured to the heat tape.

[TheSnakeEye]

Thanks for the help guys!

[TheSnakeEye]

Ok I jusy went and checken on everything and noticed that the substrate is casuing water to accumulate on the corner of the tub where the water sits... Is this too much humidity? I don't have a hydrometer at the moment. I know BP's need humidity but is this too much?

[RichsBallPythons]

the bedding is to be moist and not wet. If you pick it up and can wring water out of it, its too wet