A few questions...

[Alkaurkharim]

I posted this hear earlier but it seems to have dissapeared so here it is again.


A few questions:

I have a 90qt sterilite container, just a UTH, no heat lamp. The diagram in the sticky I got the idea from has an opening on the top with a mesh covering for a heat lamp to sit on. Now seeing as I don't have a heat lamp, *not yet anyway, hope I don't need one*, should I still cut a hole in the top and mesh it for extra ventilation?

And how many holes do I need to drill into this thing and where, and how far apart, and how big do the holes need to be?

How high do I need to keep this tank above the UTH? Right now there is about a half inch of space between the heat pad and the bottom of the tank.

Where "exactly" do i have to place the probes on the hot side and cold side with my themometers? I know the hygrometer goes in the middle. I have 2 themometers, one with probe and hygrometer on the base, and one with probe. I have hygrometer one on its stand inside for now while i dont have a BP yet, with the probe wire going outside, then coming back in and hanging over the edge against the back container wall on the hotside. The other ones base is outside with the probe hanging inside the same way on the cold side, as it is on the hot side.

I'll post pics of my set up later, as I can't find my digi cam and I want to set my themometers up right.

Sorry for the long post and thanks in advance for any replies.

-AK

[Alkaurkharim]

Oh yes, I almost forgot! How do I set a thermostat or rheostat up to my heating pad O_O

[Marla]

Your question disappeared because you posted it on the old server while the site was in transition. It's an unfortunate side effect of a move we're hoping will help site stability. Now onto your questions:

1) No, you don't need to cut a hole in the top for ventilation, only if you will be using a heat lamp. Otherwise, cross ventilating holes in the sides are fine.

2)You will have to sort out the number and spacing of the holes yourself after giving it a shot. I do a row on each side, spaced 2"-3" apart, then check it 4 or more hours later for temps and humidity. Often here the humidity will be too high and I will need to add another row on one or both sides.

3) 1/8" above the UTH will do -- you just need enough room for air circulation and to avoid having the weight right on the pad.

4) Placement of probes isn't an exact science. They need to be on the surface, and one on each side, but beyond that people do things differently. I personally place the probe just inside the warm side hide and put the base unit at the front on the cold side, but there is no obligation to do exactly that. Please do not use the included plastic stands with the AcuRite combo units, though, unless your snake will be a good-sized adult and too large to get stuck in it.

5) To hook up a thermostat, you plug the thermostat into the wall and the heat source into the thermostat, then place the probe from the thermostat inside the unit on the warm side and set the thermostat to the temp you want. With a rheostat, the process is essentially the same except that you start on the highest or lowest setting and adjust the dial until the temp is right, giving it adequate time between adjustments for the change to register.

[Alkaurkharim]

Thank you for answering all my questions Marla ^_^ I really appreciate all the info and help you are supplying. I think I will put the probe under the hot hide like you suggested, but can I do the same on the cold side and put the other probe under the cold hide?

And I don't plan on using the stand on the hygrometer one ^_^ I will mount it on the wall inside the tank so it can still read the humidity ^_^

[Marla]

You're welcome. I really like to see someone doing his/her homework before bringing home a herp. We'd way rather see someone asking a question that they might think sounds like a "dumb newbie" question or something, than guessing and getting it wrong. Still, there are a lot of ways to achieve the goals of right temps and humidity and snug but sufficiently roomy space, and you'll have to do a little experimentation to see what works best for you.

[Smulkin]

OH CACA - I'd made a lengthly reply but it's gone

Pretty much covered in the above though.

[Alkaurkharim]

Oh don't worry about it Smulkin ^_^ I do that sometimes too. If you want to re-write it you don't have to do it right away, do it at your own leisure when you have extra time ^_^

[Smulkin]

It was the site/server F$(#*$&@#$@*#$&&@#*$&!!!!!

I'm at work so I will try to realign the brain cells that were responsible. Man a TON of replies I made yesterday - right in the crappah (

[Alkaurkharim]

Yeah, I posted this thread yesterday morning and last night all of a sudden it was gone and had to put it back up in a hurry cause I notice most people come on at night ^_^ I didnt want to miss any important posts!