I'm typically a solid substrate advocate because to me, it's easier. But I picked up some aspen when I got Syd and was going to see how I liked it.
The main issue I'm having is that the surface temp of the hot side, on top of the substrate, is significantly cooler than the surface temp of the bottom of the enclosure, if that makes sense. Basically I'm trying to balance having it warm enough where she typically sits without getting too hot underneath to burn her or cook her if she burrowed.
Right now, I've got my thermostat probe sitting between the UTH and the bottom of the cage and I've got it set to 95*F. I figured that if she went down there, 95*F wouldn't burn her or cause any issues (hopefully I'm right). But I'm just worried the top of the substrate isn't getting warm enough... I don't have that thick of a layer of the aspen - it's like maybe an inch, if not less. I'd prefer for it to be around 90*F, but it's just hovering in the high 80s.
What do you guys do? If I set it to higher than 95, will she still be fine if she ventures down there? Should I just ditch the Aspen and go back to paper?
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