New member, new BP owner.

[yeroc1982]

Hey everyone. just got my first Bp, told it is female, about 12 inches or so. I dont really know much but am open to suggestions. Its a 16 gallon aquarium, bought a under aquarium heater which i was told is big enough(roughly 1/3 of the bottom) and woodchips for substrate. On the inside i put my thermometer with the long end to it, i put it in the middle where the heater is, woodchips, some plants, a nice low shell type hide, water dish with about an inch of water. My temps according to the inside thermometer is 94f the other side, cooler side , its 76-78f, humidity is 70s but trying to get it down to 50. How am i doing? Thanks

[Vilenica]

Welcome to BP.net

Sounds like your doing good.
As far as the humidity goes ... I wouldnt try to get it down manually ... it may go down on its own ... especially if you are using a fressh wood chip that has moisture (assuming your using cypress) that will level out on its own and 70% humidity wont hurt your bp in the mean time.. As far as your hot spot goes in my opinion thats a bit hot . (is that probe measuring the heat where your snakes belly can contact) if it is i would create an air gap(between glass and uth) or build up the substrate. I would not want more than 90 hot spot to keep my snakes at 87-88. I personaly go with 88 which keeps my snakes at 84-86 if they want it. Happy herping.

[yeroc1982]

Thank you! The temp sensor is on the glass but then has woodchips on top so there is no bare bottom to burn on. Should i worry about getting a t-stat? Temps here vary day and nite.

[Vilenica]

I would put the probe on the surface your snake has access to. like on top of the substrate in the middle of the hotspot hide if possible. If you get a temp gun you can leave the probe where it is ... get a reading of the top of the substrate... for example probe reads 94 and top of substrate reads 88 = 6 degrees variance ...and log it in your brain. and your good.

[yeroc1982]

Would 88 be too cool for a temp on top of the sub?

[snakesRkewl]

T-stats are an absolute must have.

The UTH goes on one end, NOT in the center.
Your trying to make one end warm and one end cool so the snake can adjust it's temperature by moving from one end to the other.
It can't do that with heat in the middle of the tank.
Get a probed thermometer, its the only way to read temperatures.
Re-read the care sheet sticky so you know how to care for your new friend

[yeroc1982]

T-stats are an absolute must have.

The UTH goes on one end, NOT in the center.
Your trying to make one end warm and one end cool so the snake can adjust it's temperature by moving from one end to the other.
It can't do that with heat in the middle of the tank.
Get a probed thermometer, its the only way to read temperatures.
Re-read the care sheet sticky so you know how to care for your new friend

My heat pad is on one side, must have misunderstood me. I will see if i can pick up a t-stat this weekend. Petland carry them do you know?

[snakesRkewl]

If they do it would be twice what it cost to have one shipped to you.

Better than nothing...
Repti-temp 500R
http://www.ihome.com/product//11442-...ermometer.html

Also there is nothing wrong with that humidity if it really is that high, what do you measure your humidity with?

[yeroc1982]

If they do it would be twice what it cost to have one shipped to you.

Better than nothing...
Repti-temp 500R
http://www.ihome.com/product//11442-...ermometer.html

Also there is nothing wrong with that humidity if it really is that high, what do you measure your humidity with?

So u just plug your pads or whaever into that and set the temp on the unit?

[yeroc1982]

If they do it would be twice what it cost to have one shipped to you.

Better than nothing...
Repti-temp 500R
http://www.ihome.com/product//11442-...ermometer.html

Also there is nothing wrong with that humidity if it really is that high, what do you measure your humidity with?

For humidity i have a digital thermometer.