temps in tanks

[stlsteelersfan]

Quick and short in my 5 tanks I have ground temps at 87-91 just above heat source. On glass at heat source 99-106, air on coolside 69-71. What do I do to get cool side warmer? I put insolated pad under tanks that did not help. Please help I want to give them. Best place to live. I am using cypress mulch to help with humidity which is now staying around 61-65%.

[SvicksTC]

maybe get a ceramic heat emitter, but that will suck up some of that humidity...hopefully others will chime in...

I use ceramic heat emitter at night to keep my temps up being in an old college apartment it gets drafty at night...

[Kaorte]

99-106 is far too high. You need to regulate your UTH with something. The snakes can and will burrow under the substrate and can get burned with temps that high.

What are you using to measure temps?

[stlsteelersfan]

I do when I have it down to 95-98 the temp on the cypress mulch is just around 83-85, and I am afraid the less heat will make the already to cool get even cooler. Have you used or heard about these ceramic heat emitter? are they any good do they help heat up the air in tanks? also what size should I get? I have 1 55 gal tank
2 30 gal breeders
1 15 gal long
1 reg 15 gal.
I am lost and feel helpless

[DaveR]

I had some humidity/heat problems as well, and because of that I tried out cypress too. I'm not to sure if my experience will help in any way, but here goes nothing...

Here is what I have set up, try out different techniques to obtain your numbers (my BP is in shed, so that is why the humidity numbers are high):

-my apartment heat is at a constant 80
-she is in a 30g tank away from any heat vents
-one UTH that covers about 1/3 of the tank
-thermostat *this is IMPORTANT* regulating belly temps
-one light fixture with a 100W light set to a timer for 12.5 hours a day
-bi-daily misting
-daily water change in the 9 inch ceramic bowl
-a 1.5" to 2" inch moss bed above the UTH with aspen covering all
-plastic covering over half of the top

RESULTS:

-my temp/humid numbers for my warm hide is 91-92/75-80%
-cool hide 80-87/70-75%
-ambient temp is approximately 87-90 day, 80-84 night with humid numbers staying between 65-75%.

Once she is done shedding, I will be removing all the substrate and only using aspen. I only throw the moss in during shed to increase the humidity. I can keep my normal humid/temp numbers fine with 1 daily misting and a water change (logged anywhere from 55-65%). I was having the same issue with the low ambient temps until I started running the 100w light for a 12.5 hour cycle. Be sure you are regulating that belly temp with a thermostat, mine burrows down to the glass all the time.

Also, check the numbers in your hides. Concentrate on getting your numbers perfect in the hides and in turn you may improve your ambient temp/humid numbers.

Just keep in mind what works for one, may not work for another. Keep plucking away at it and you will find a way to get your numbers. Keep a log too,(log everything) this will help out a ton in the future.

Good luck with your work and research! Hope you find your numbers soon! Cheers!

[Vypyrz]

Quick and short in my 5 tanks I have ground temps at 87-91 just above heat source. On glass at heat source 99-106, air on coolside 69-71. What do I do to get cool side warmer? I put insolated pad under tanks that did not help. Please help I want to give them. Best place to live. I am using cypress mulch to help with humidity which is now staying around 61-65%.

You can always add another UTH and t-stat to the cool side. Set one for about 81 and the other for about 91...


Rob

[dr del]

Hi,

I agree on the glass temps being too high.

Have you tried using less substrate?

As to the cool side temps the only thing I can suggest not already mentioned is to insulate the tanks on the bottom, sides and back - and the top if you can depending on design.


dr del

[Kaorte]

I do when I have it down to 95-98 the temp on the cypress mulch is just around 83-85, and I am afraid the less heat will make the already to cool get even cooler. Have you used or heard about these ceramic heat emitter? are they any good do they help heat up the air in tanks? also what size should I get? I have 1 55 gal tank
2 30 gal breeders
1 15 gal long
1 reg 15 gal.
I am lost and feel helpless

Use less substrate. There should only be a 2-5* difference between the top of the substrate and the glass.

Your biggest issue is using a 55g tank. That tank is not made for ball pythons, it is made for fish. You will end up heating a lot more air than you need to. Try getting a 30g breeder. That has almost exactly the same footprint but is 12" shorter.

You could also try insulating the sides and back of the tank with dark paper to help hold in heat.

A CHE is basically a lamp without light. It only gives off heat. They are expensive, but they last for a long time. The other catch is that is will drain all of the humidity in the tank. I would personally avoid it since you seem to be having humidity problems already.

[jason79]

You can use a "CHE" with out any problems if humidity gets too low move the water bowl directly under it that will bring humidity back up.