How hot is too hot

[uafgrad]

Im monkeying with trying to get a consistent temp in my tank

How hot of a surface temp (on the glass) on the hot side is too hot? Basically what would harm a snake?

Im using susbtrate (coconut husk) that is about an inch thick. Im worried that although the temp at the surface of the substrate is good (87), the temp on the glass should he burrow down would be way too hot.

[Patrick Long]

My theory is that anything over 100 ON THE GLASS is too hot.

[Muze]

I have mine in CB 70 plastic tubs, with Ultra Therm pads underneath. Before I got a T.Stat for them, I used to check the temps on the floor of the tubs with an infrared RZilla thermometer ($10 on Ebay). Now, those pads rarely overheat, but if my BPs had moved their hides directly over it & were in there, it would get to 95-97 in there. I would immediately move things around until it was back to 95 in the hot spot.

It's probably too hot if you can't stand to leave your hand on that warmest spot for a while.

[starmom]

My theory is anything over 95F on the glass is too hot.
I also feel that 87F on the substrate is too cool and the snake will likely burrow down to get warmer during digestion.

[simplechamp]

I placed my thermostat probe on the inside glass surface where the BP would possibly touch and set that to 96-97F.

[uafgrad]

So is it reasonably safe to say, if the temp stays under 100F, wherever the snake might touch, he will be safe?

[Muze]

I would definitely agree with Starmom on both points. Over 95 is probably too hot. I don't know if between 95-100 could be dangerous, but I wouldn't risk it. And 87 is not enough heat for digestion. What brand of UTH do you have?

[SlitherinSisters]

I try to keep mine around 95. Before I had my thermostat I was adding another layer of newspaper to drop the surface heat and checking temps all the time.

[simplechamp]

Most cheapo digital thermometers, including accurites, have a tolerance of +/- 2 degrees.

My belly temp could say 94F and someone elses could say 90F and the temp could really be 92F on both. Same goes for budget priced IR thermometers, which are generally +/- 2F or +/- 2%.

This makes it hard to give an exact cut off point because most people only know the temperature within a 4 degree range. Most people don't realize how big a range the tolerances allow.

[Jerhart]

you said 'Too hot" right?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ryRgOU76VP8