Freaking out heating not right!

[Seru1]

Okay my cages are 36' I just got them put heat pads under them and set them up. I need some thermal tape.

The top cage is 83.6 the mid cage is 85.6 and the bottom cage is 88.6 where the heatpad is. And I am shooting for 82. This is all in one small spot one one side. the rest is in the high 60's or low 70's.


I am worried beyond belief I screwed up bad and I don't know what to do


I haven't put substrate in it yet. My heat pads are 11x17. I am worried now I bought to small.

Please give some help!!!

[mr. s]

How long have they been set up? Sometimes they will continue to warm up. You will need a dimmer or something else to control the heater. I don't know of any that just heat up to 82 and stop. What were you expecting exactly?
The ambient temperature is all going to depend on where it is. By the way, what is a "cage"? Is this a tub or tank? People can give you more advice as you provide more detail.

[Seru1]

Sorry I was a little rattled.


They are 36 inch plastic neodesha cages. I at first didn't have the 2 probes from my double ranco thermometer's set up. I put them inbetween the cage and pad on the middle cage and set the thermometer's for 82. On e reads 83 and one reads 81.


I am only temping in the 80's in one little spot. the cool side is in the high 60's which isn't horrible but I was hoping for low 70's.


Ambient temp is 72. They've been set up for about an hour

[mr. s]

S your hot spot is pretty much right on? Good.
I am unfamiliar with those enclosures. I've never seen one in real life, hopefully someone else has some advice for those specifically.
So the temperature of the cool side is high 60's but the air temperature inside is 72? Not Sure what is keeping the temp at high 60's. The room temperature is 72?

[Seru1]

Yes the house temperature is 72. I am gonna try and let it settle abit.

The problem is the whole side isn't the right temp just part of the right side.


Maybe I can try and get some pictures

[Seru1]

Cages:
http://npicages.com/s36t_npi_36_stan...tile_cage.html

Heating devices:
http://www.reptilebasics.com/ultrath...th-11-x17.html

Thermostat
http://www.reptilebasics.com/double-...pre-wired.html


If this helps, I am really freaking out. man I thought I had everything so well thought out. And now that it isn't working I feel so lost.

[mr. s]

Alright, while we are getting all the facts out on the table, what kind of snake are you getting? What needs 82? Kingsnake? Corn? Milk? You may consider turning up the heat a bit if you can.
I see there are vents at the top. You can put a towel over top to keep in the heat. You can also put the enclosure in a warmer part of your home, not right in front of a vent though. I keep 3 snakes in a closet in the basement that keeps the most heat.
When does the snake arrive by the way?

[Seru1]

I'm not ordering the snakes until everything is perfect! I'm not so stupid as to order snakes without having a perfect habitat for them.


Mandarin Ratsnake
Thai Red Mountain Ratsnake
Rhino Ratsnake

They all do well at 82 as a warm spot though the mandarin can enjoy a touch cooler at 78. and the rhino a touch warmer.

The ambient temp int he living room is lower that 72 after taking readings. I turned off the ceiling fan and it's not near a vent.

[mr. s]

Glad to hear that you have a good head on your shoulders. The good news is that you are not rushed to fix it right this very second or else something is going to get sick.
Did you put a thick blanket or towel over the enclosure other than the front? If you insulate the sides a little bit things should warm up, but not sure by how much. Some people will get another heater on a dimmer and put it on the cool side to up the temps. It is hard when you are in a larger room unless you 1. Use something else to add heat such as another heater or light, 2. Keep in the heat better by insulating, or 3. Just turn up the heat in your house.

Hopefully someone else pipes in here and has a suggestion about which might be better for this set up, and with those specific snakes.

[Seru1]

Yes I thought about maybe attaching some flexible neck lamps with heat bulbs to the racks.

There's not a good way to use lamps in these. I wish I could go with a bigger pad. it just heats such a small section.


The upstairs is warmer but the only place would be my room/office. And there is so much electrical equipment up here I fear a short circuit