Switch to UTH pad, temp drop

[theJuju]

So I switched to an under the tank heating pad like suggested on here, but the temp has since dropped to around 75, sometimes 80. Granted, I still haven't been able to afford the proper thermometer/hygrometer because I figured getting the UTH pad would be a higher priority, so the cheap plastic dial temp gauge may be a bit off, but still - significant temperature drop. And that's on the warm side.

What do I do? I was told here in an earlier thread of mine when I was just learning all the stuff I was doing wrong () that I shouldn't use the day and night lamps like the pet store had told me. So I'm not sure how to get the temperature back up...

[Kinra]

Heat pads create great basking spots, but they don't help with ambient temperatures. Where are you measuring your temps? Do you have something controlling the UTH (dimmer/thermostat)? Sometimes during the winter you may have to use a low watt light to keep ambient temperatures up if your room is cold. The reason most people don't recommend lamps is because they kill the humidity.

[theJuju]

Heat pads create great basking spots, but they don't help with ambient temperatures. Where are you measuring your temps? Do you have something controlling the UTH (dimmer/thermostat)? Sometimes during the winter you may have to use a low watt light to keep ambient temperatures up if your room is cold. The reason most people don't recommend lamps is because they kill the humidity.

The cheap plastic dial is more towards the top of the cage. Should I move it lower until I get a more accurate measuring device?

And ya, this apartment gets cold, plus I tend to prefer cooler temps.

Nope, no control for the UTH. I didn't know that was possible until I was reading a thread about it just a second ago.

What wattage light should I use, then? I think the daytime light I was initially using is 150 watts. Should it be yellow light, or red light?

[pigfat]

What size tank? I have mine in a 20 gallon and I have a 30 watt Ceramic Heat Emitter in my lamp on the hot side, and my cold side was getting way too cold so I got a 60watt red bulb with a lamp that has a dimmer on the cold side to keep ambient temps up.

[Kinra]

The cheap plastic dial is more towards the top of the cage. Should I move it lower until I get a more accurate measuring device?

And ya, this apartment gets cold, plus I tend to prefer cooler temps.

Nope, no control for the UTH. I didn't know that was possible until I was reading a thread about it just a second ago.

What wattage light should I use, then? I think the daytime light I was initially using is 150 watts. Should it be yellow light, or red light?

Your surface temps are going to be much warmer. UTHs should be controlled by something because they can get really hot.

I would probably try a 50watt red/blue/black bulb to start with just to give a little extra heat and so you can leave it on all the time.

[theJuju]

Your surface temps are going to be much warmer. UTHs should be controlled by something because they can get really hot.

I would probably try a 50watt red/blue/black bulb to start with just to give a little extra heat and so you can leave it on all the time.

Ok, thanks! And red/blue/black light they can't see, right? So it won't affect the day/night cycle?

What size tank? I have mine in a 20 gallon and I have a 30 watt Ceramic Heat Emitter in my lamp on the hot side, and my cold side was getting way too cold so I got a 60watt red bulb with a lamp that has a dimmer on the cold side to keep ambient temps up.

It's a 20 gallon long

[Kinra]

Ok, thanks! And red/blue/black light they can't see, right? So it won't affect the day/night cycle?

Yes, the red/blue/black light doesn't affect them.

[ball-pythons]

very nice read