20 gallon tank temps

[jdouglas]

My setup 20 gallon tank and I have followed this how-to for the lid
http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...ed-help!/page3

I am using eco earth for the substrate.

I am using a 30-40 gallon heating pad zoomed hooked to a hydrofarm thermostat.
The thermostat probe is attached to the back side of the heating pad using foil tape.(set to 92 degrees)

The thermometer probe sitting on the glass in the warm hide is showing 92 degrees.
The thermometer I have sitting on top of the substrate in front of the warm hide is reading 82.7degrees.
The thermometer on the cool side hide is only reading 76.1 degrees.

Is the eco earth substrate too deep? too wet?

My humidity is showing around 77% atm with the lid done like the how to.

I plan on getting a CHE but with a dimmer and hoping I will be able to stabilize temps that way. Is it recommended that if I am using a CHE that I also get a 2nd thermostat?

[decensored]

your humidity is too high and I'm guessing your substrate is too deep. Pictures would help. If you do things right than you shouldn't need a ceramic heater. I don't use one for my glass and PVC enclosures. I do however have a space heater in my snake room which keeps my ambient temps around 79-81 degrees. My space heater is from Walmart and cost less than $15. so it may be a cheaper option for you?.?..

I hate using tinfoil on the lid, I think its silly.. but it must work because a lot of people do it.. I use the wet towel if I'm having a problem with heat or humidity, and I almost never spray except for during the shedding process.

Do you mist? I don't use eco earth either, IMO its a waste of money. Coco-husk is all I'll use, unless the humidity is too high in which case I use aspen. Much much cheaper.

Just some thoughts,

Cheers.

[jackiechan]

.

I plan on getting a CHE but with a dimmer and hoping I will be able to stabilize temps that way. Is it recommended that if I am using a CHE that I also get a 2nd thermostat?

Get a lamp fixture equipped with a dimmer, thats how i have mine set up. The CHE will drop your humidity for sure. You could get a tstat for the CHE but if you already have the dimmer then it cancels itself out.

[jdouglas]

I uploaded 4 pictures of my terrarium but cant figure out how to link them. You should be able to check my profile and view the images.

I currently do not own a BP. I will be picking him up on Saturday and want to get this perfect before I do!

I have what i would assume is around 2inches deep eco earth. I used 1 brick for the 20gal.

The heat doesn't seem to effect the cool side of the tank at all or go all the way through it.

[jackiechan]

I uploaded 4 pictures of my terrarium but cant figure out how to link them. You should be able to check my profile and view the images.

When you reply to a thread there is a toolbar at the top of the box. Look for the box with a mountain and click that to link your pictures.

[jdouglas]

Well first I went and wrung out all of the eco earth 1 more time and I swear the amount of water that came out of it again looked like I never wrung it out in the first place. My temps rose about 3-4 degrees, but were still under specs.

So I ran to petsmart and purchased a 75watt ceramic heat emitter and bulb. So far I cut a whole in the foil on the lid to place it on and its slowly warming up.

I am starting to think that my eco earth is possibly still too damp because my humidity with the CHE and UTH on without a water bowl is still showing 69%.

Could the eco earth being too damp/wet cause the tank to not heat properly?

also I know how to link an image, just the uploaded images to my gallery do not give the links needed to post.

[jackiechan]

if you keep the CHE running eventually it will dry up your substrate.

[decensored]

Hey,

That is a cool tank set up you have. Yes your substrate is too deep. It should be between 1/4 inch and 1/2 inch at the most (1/2 inch is too much). I just put enough to cover the glass. This way the temperature that your thermostat is set to should be just a couple of degrees lower than the temperature on the substrate. It should help solve some of your ambient temp problems.

Cheers.