Thermal Gradient

[greenmonkey51]

Now that I have gotten my cool end temp up to 80F. I can concentrate on fixing the thermal gradient. The warm end is 90 and the cool end it 80. But the middle is 80 too. I had to put a peice of 12"x11" flexwatt on the cool end on a dimmer to get it up. I have another peice of flexwatt the same size on the warm end connected to a zoo med thermastat. This is all on a 20g long tank. Now how should I move each peice of flexwatt to better establish the thermal gradient. I have 6" of unheated space.

[daniel1983]

If half of the tank is 90 and half of the tank is 80, that is the thermal gradient. I am not sure what you are asking? and I would also suggest getting those temp to the 92-94 warm/ 82-84 cool range.

[jglass38]

Now that I have gotten my cool end temp up to 80F. I can concentrate on fixing the thermal gradient. The warm end is 90 and the cool end it 80. But the middle is 80 too. I had to put a peice of 12"x11" flexwatt on the cool end on a dimmer to get it up. I have another peice of flexwatt the same size on the warm end connected to a zoo med thermastat. This is all on a 20g long tank. Now how should I move each peice of flexwatt to better establish the thermal gradient. I have 6" of unheated space.

Sounds like you're doing fine! 90-95 on the warm end, 80-84 or so in the cool. Don't overthink it too much...



I may give advice, but understand that my reptile knowledge is limited compared to my extensive understanding of all things snack cake related. Please don't hold me to anything I say because I will deny it if proven wrong. Thank you and have a wonderful day!

[greenmonkey51]

Would it still be worth it to get one of the thermastats that MGR reptiles is selling for 67$. Or just get another dimmer to replace the crappy zoo med thermastat I got

[jglass38]

Would it still be worth it to get one of the thermastats that MGR reptiles is selling for 67$. Or just get another dimmer to replace the crappy zoo med thermastat I got

It is ALWAYS worth it to get a quality thermostat. If the crappy dimmer or crappy tstat malfunctions, that UTH can get hot enough to do some serious damage to your snake. The Rancos or Johnsons are a good way to go for a on/off type tstat (when it gets to the proper temp, it shuts the heat source off and then turns it back on as needed). A proportional (herpstat or helix) pulses power to the heating element and helps to keep the temp more stable. Matt is a great guy to buy from and he will let you know what is the best way to go!