Heat Help

[BWyant]

For some reason totally unknown to me, my temperatures has dropped quite a bit. Whereas the cool side was usually between 77-81, it's now at 75. The hot side, between 87-92, now at 83. I haven't changed a thing. I checked to make sure everything was plugged in and working properly. The thermometer probes haven't moved or anything. The temperature in the room was a little lower today, cool weather, not sure how much lower. I've got a heat-lamp, a UTH and a blacklight all giving off heat and a towel that covers up about 1/4 of the top of the lid too. I went ahead and set up a space heater next to the cage.

Anyone else had their temps just sort of mysteriously drop? Anything else I should be doing?

[I-KandyReptiles]

Did someone turn on a fan?

[BWyant]

Did someone turn on a fan?

Nope.

Seriously. I've got no logical explanation.

Is it possible that my electrical outlets are just putting out less wattage? I mean.... WTF?

How low do temperatures have to get before I should start getting worried?

[I-KandyReptiles]

I'd be concerned if it went below 75.

Could your dimmer be the culprit? I've only used the repti r 500 rheostat and herpstats so I'd have no idea if that could be the issue.

[dtannous30]

try warming up the room the rack or cage is in to about 80 and set the hot spot at 90...

[Gio]

Sounds like room temp since you said the weather was cooler. What type of thermostat are you using? I have a Herpstat II and when the room temp gets cooler I can see how much more output the stat kicks out to keep my heat sources on the mark.

If you are using a glass enclosure there are ways to insulate the back and sides and still have a nice display. We are down in the lower temps here in MN this week and our tank temps are a tad lower so the Herpstat is putting out more power to keep temps up.

[Annarose15]

If you are using a dimmer instead of a true thermostat, then that plus the room temp change is absolutely the culprit. A dimmer won't adjust to external changes, it just allows the power through that you've adjusted it to, which is why dimmers should only be a very short-term solution to managing your heat sources.

[SlitherinSisters]

If your room temps drop you will most likely have to bump up your thermostats. When it gets colder in my snake room I have to turn my back heat tubs up much higher than I do in the summer.