Terrarium Branches...

[ralphdp21]

It seems like in your case he might be a bit insecure. Slithering all night seems to me that the snake isn't comfortable and secure in the cage, so it is constantly moving. Some activity and cruising during the night is more typical than never stopping of course.

Well the thing is that she doesn't cruise around all night. She just happens to have her moments 2-4 hours sometimes where she will like to move around and get a bit curious. I don't see that as being odd for a ball python as you all clearly state that they are terrestrial and nocturnal so maybe she's just trying to be active. That's my common sense talking, but hey I could be wrong, again. lol

[ralphdp21]

sorry for the double post.

I bought and installed the rheostat for the UTH last night and now when I went to grab my snake I noticed that she was cold. I checked the connections and the level of the rheostat (which is at about 85%) and then checked the temperature inside the tank. No increase. I dig into the substrate put my finger against the glass and compared it to the area where the uth is at and NO heat at all. I unplugged the uth from the rheostat and waited to see if it would warm up. It did warm back up. So that rheostat clearly doesnt work. And I feel that I am not harming my snake by keep the uth un-monitored so I will be keeping it the way it is. The temperature is about 90-91 on the hot side and 82 on the cold.

[chapskis1]

I noticed the picture of the thermometer from Wal-Mart. I'd concur that the thermometer looks okay too, but the placement looks all wrong. It should be about 1" above the bottom of the cage. Not at the top -- it needs to be measuring the temp where the snake is actually spending its time.

Later,

George

[SnkChrmr650]

sorry for the double post.

I bought and installed the rheostat for the UTH last night and now when I went to grab my snake I noticed that she was cold. I checked the connections and the level of the rheostat (which is at about 85%) and then checked the temperature inside the tank. No increase. I dig into the substrate put my finger against the glass and compared it to the area where the uth is at and NO heat at all. I unplugged the uth from the rheostat and waited to see if it would warm up. It did warm back up. So that rheostat clearly doesnt work. And I feel that I am not harming my snake by keep the uth un-monitored so I will be keeping it the way it is. The temperature is about 90-91 on the hot side and 82 on the cold.

If im not mistaken someone else had the same problem with their rehostat recently, is it the lamp dimmer style from lowes, i think its called a lutron? if so check to see if you are moving the control the right way it is at its hottest when the LED light is at its dimmest (seemed wierd to me but thats the way it works). I would not suggest leaving the uth un regulated however as it can cause some serious problems should your snake ever get down low enough to come in contact with the glass the uth is attached to. also i would try to get a probed thermometer ( 12 bucks at walmart for the accurite version) this way you can monitor temps on the substrate where the snake will actually be.

[mrshawt]

sorry for the double post.

I bought and installed the rheostat for the UTH last night and now when I went to grab my snake I noticed that she was cold. I checked the connections and the level of the rheostat (which is at about 85%) and then checked the temperature inside the tank. No increase. I dig into the substrate put my finger against the glass and compared it to the area where the uth is at and NO heat at all. I unplugged the uth from the rheostat and waited to see if it would warm up. It did warm back up. So that rheostat clearly doesnt work. And I feel that I am not harming my snake by keep the uth un-monitored so I will be keeping it the way it is. The temperature is about 90-91 on the hot side and 82 on the cold.

Yeah, you're sliding it the wrong way. Happens to all of us at first. Test it out on a light bulb and see.

Also, your hand is the worst way to measure the temp of the snake. Naturally it would feel cool because it's temp has to be below our body temp.

[Kaorte]

Yeah, you're sliding it the wrong way. Happens to all of us at first. Test it out on a light bulb and see.

Also, your hand is the worst way to measure the temp of the snake. Naturally it would feel cool because it's temp has to be below our body temp.

Except that the temperature of our body in our appendages is much lower than our core body temperature. It also fluctuates a lot.

[mrshawt]

Would it go below 92?

Research time.
EDIT: Who has a temp gun?

And still, just with the fluctuations, it makes it an inaccurate way.

[ralphdp21]

okay I have returned the rheostat and I'm going to find a better one. I just installed the inner-linner for the tank and I decided to take a quick picture:

http://img509.imageshack.us/img509/8998/img0003e.jpg

I'm sure thats the correct way to install it, so please correct me if I'm wrong.

I have ordered the new hides, and leaves and they should arrive soon. I am thinking of returning that digital thermometer and just getting the accurite with probes from walmart.

[ralphdp21]

Okay, I am 99% done with the setup. All I am waiting for is her new hides.

This is her new almost complete set-up, subtracting the new hides.



rheostat on the bottom left


the temperature has not leveled out yet, I dropped the rheostat and I'm trying to get it at 90degrees. That should be fine right? Don't you have to take in account for the thickness of substrate?

[Kaorte]

No, the hottest point in the tank should be 95*. So just try and set the rheostat there.

Also, the acurite needs to go in the tank so you can measure ambient temperature and humidity (measured by the unit itself).