Brand New Ball Owner

[JodanOrNoDan]

LittleTreeGuy

1. Your heat mat (UTH) NEEDS to be regulated. You can use a dimmer switch (available at lowes or home depot)
im getting a very nice thermometer today after work for his warm side! with a 8watt heat pad I don't think it is getting to hot as he stays under there with no problem and moves the aspen so he lays directly on the bottom of the tank. Would a CHE above his warm side be effective? his cool side runs between 75-81 (night to day) so I know that needs to be a little higher, warm side at around 90ish.

To make sure there is no misunderstanding, Little Tree Guy advised you correctly. Your heat mat (UTH) MUST be regulated. A thermometer will regulate nothing. Look up burns on here and you will see why. If your animal gets burned you will have a very hefty vet bill that is way over the cost of a thermostat.

[xbigb78x]

You need a thormostat, not a thermometer. A thermometer just tells you what temperature it is. A thermostat controls the temperature of the heat pad. And snakes will lay right on a heat pad, while it burns them severely. Just because he is laying in there does not mean that he cannot be very badly hurt by having a heat pad with unregulated temperature.

I don't really have the money for a hempstat 1 atm, is their a better alternative for a lower price? and will my pad plug into it? im at work so I have limited access to thing but this is one site I can use.

[Fraido]

A dimmer switch will work in the time being.

Sent from my LG-H812 using Tapatalk

[xbigb78x]

A dimmer switch will work in the time being.

Sent from my LG-H812 using Tapatalk

ok I found one online at my local hardware store along with a thermometer with a prob to monitor the heat as well, thank you very much for the reply! when he gets bigger and I must upgrade his tank I plan to go all out as I will be done with college by then.

[Willowy]

Next step up would be a Hydrofarm thermostat from Amazon. Usually around $30. That's what I'm using and it works fine. I'm sure the more expensive ones work better but a Hydrofarm will at least prevent burns. With a dimmer you kind of have to monitor it a lot so you might get tired of that eventually .

[xbigb78x]

Next step up would be a Hydrofarm thermostat from Amazon. Usually around $30. That's what I'm using and it works fine. I'm sure the more expensive ones work better but a Hydrofarm will at least prevent burns. With a dimmer you kind of have to monitor it a lot so you might get tired of that eventually .

THANK YOU. I appreciate you saying the exact product , when I upgrade his tank to a 40 gallon when the time comes I will be upgrading things like this.

[Greensleeves001]

My suggestion is to continue to read, read, and read more. Visit some local reptile expos if you have any. Could also watch videos of them on youtube. I learned a lot from watching these. Check your local area and see if there are any reptile or herp clubs, either on facebook or meetup or in real world.

Also, I suggest locating a vet in your area who sees exotics. Keep their number handy. Find out what their policy is.... Some vets may or may not see new clients right away, meaning, established patients get priority if appointment times are busy.
Not all vets may be accepting new clients.

Finally, get the contact information for an after-hours vet or clinic in case you have a serious late night emergency... You will know where to go and who to call. This may or may not be the same vet you would usually see. For me, my exotic vet is a half hour drive, but the emergency clinic is two HOURS away.