Can't get temp up

[koulgurl]

I am having an issue with getting the temp up in my bp's cage. It is only getting to about 73-75 degrees. I have an UTH and an infrared spot lamp. I switched from a day lamp to the infrared in hopes that it would keep the temp higher, but it hasn't.

Any suggestions, I am really concerned.

[iCandiBallPythons]

Can you give us a little more rundown on your setup, and possibly post pics?

[mr. s]

If things are not getting much higher than room temperature then either:
1. Thermometer not functional (how are you measuring temps?)
2. Heat devices not functional, or bad quality
3. Too much between heat and snake, (ie: substrate)
4. You live in a barn

I am not sure how both an UTH and a heat lamp are not working for you. Try to figure out which one it is and replace or fix it.

[koulgurl]

Everything is brand new, so I don't think it is the equipment. I got everything set up from the pet store, but I have learned they didn't really know what they were talking about. Here is everything I have:

29 Gallon tank
10lb sand (I know, not supposed to be used, will be changed)
Water dish
2 Caves
Large Log
Fake plants
2 stick on thermometers
1 stick on hygrometer
1 small UTH
1 5.5" heat lamp (75 watt max)- currently using red heat light

I just bought an 8.5" 150 watt max heat lamp, and will be using a 100 watt white bulb as of tomorrow to try to increase temp.

I don't live in a barn...but I do live in an old farm house in northern Michigan, and it is pretty cold. We keep our heat at 67 degrees in the house.

Here is a picture (at least I hope it shows up that way!):

[mr. s]

Yes, get rid of the sand. That could be stopping the heat a lot, (and just not a good choice).
I would get something better to measure heat, like a digital thermometer at least, with the little probe that you can put anywhere you want. I just got a temp gun, which is great.
You are definitely going to want to figure out insulating that tank somehow from your cold house. The heat pad could be too hot right now and the ambient temps could be too low still. Both those are dangerous. Do you have a dimmer on the heat pad? They can get burn your snake otherwise.
Also, using a heat lamp to compensate is going to dry out the enclosure. I noticed the glass is wet in the picture. Is that because you are having trouble with keeping up humidity? Heat lamps will do that.

So in short:
Lose the sand
Better temp reading
Cover up the top of the tank with a blanket maybe, (or like the top and back)? See if that changes things. (Obviously not with the lamp).

Anyone else have some good advice?

[koulgurl]

I had just misted the tank. The tank was only at 40% humidity and I am pretty sure my snake is starting to shed (the pet store said they thought he was and he is starting to have dry spots on his head (at least that is what I think they are will post a pic at bottom).

The screen top is covered with aluminum foil at the top except where the lamp is. I tried putting a towel over the tank top and sides a couple days ago, but it didn't seem to matter.

Where do you get a temp gun? I haven't found one at any of the pet shop places (even big box stores)...I probably can't afford it this week...I have spent a ton getting this all set up so far so I have to wait until I get paid again.

Do you think I should remove the sand now? I am worried about stressing the snake too much, I only got him last Saturday.

Pic of his head:

[West Coast Jungle]

Stick on thermometers are wortheless get a digital one and put the probe on the hot spot and the main part on the cool side so you can measure both. Are you usuing a UTH(under tank heater) which should be used with a thermostat to regulate. I think you tank is too tall as well. I use an oil filled heater in the room with my snakes on a thermostat to keep the room warm. 67 is WAY too cold. You need to get him closer to 80 on the cool end.

You could put him in a tub in the tank and then use a Radiant heat panel to get the ambient temp in the tank at 80(instead of the whole room) and then put part of the tub on the UTH to get a warm spot of 92. I do a similar set up for quarrantines sometimes. Tubs are easier to control than glass tanks. They dont need all that height, just makes it harder to control temps and humidity.

[koulgurl]

Ugh. Why can't pet stores KNOW what a pet needs? I mean, I thought that is what they were there for! Not to mention it would cost more for better thermometers and such....so why wouldn't they suggest that? Okay, rant over. I guess I will just have to work on fixing the issue.

Where can you find a temp gun and a thermostat thing for the UTH? I have seen neither in my many trips to pet stores....

[Kaorte]

Ugh. Why can't pet stores KNOW what a pet needs? I mean, I thought that is what they were there for! Not to mention it would cost more for better thermometers and such....so why wouldn't they suggest that? Okay, rant over. I guess I will just have to work on fixing the issue.

Where can you find a temp gun and a thermostat thing for the UTH? I have seen neither in my many trips to pet stores....

I think all the things you need could be bought at stores other than pet stores.

1. Thermometer: The accurite weather station is an indoor/outdoor thermometer with an external probe. This unit can be found at walmart, the home depot, and lowes for around $12. It measures ambient temp, hot spot temp, and overall humidity so it is all you will need as far as temp measuring goes. Place the probe directly on the glass where the heat pad is and put the rest of the unit on the side opposite the heat map (cool side).

2. Light Dimmer or Rheostat: you can also find one of these at home depot or lowes. You want a piggy back light dimmer. It is basically a light dimmer that plugs into the wall and the lamp (or UTH in our case) plugs into that. They cost about $11 Keep in mind this is a temporary way to control a UTH and really shouldn't be used for the long term as temps can still fluctuate to dangerous levels even when dimmed down.



Just remove the sand now and make all the changes you need to do. He will forgive you later

[Vypyrz]

Where do you get a temp gun? I haven't found one at any of the pet shop places (even big box stores)...

Alot of places that sell tools will have them. I got mine at Harbor Freight Tools for about $25-$30. You can also try home improvement stores or auto parts stores will sometimes carry them. Save your self some gas and call around first. You can also order them online from reptile supplies websites...

http://search.harborfreight.com/cpis...rd=thermometer

http://www.reptilebasics.com/thermometers/

http://lllreptile.com/store/catalog/...ts-and-timers/

http://www.bigappleherp.com/Big-Appl...er-Thermometer