Heat gradient issues

[rustypolished]

I'm in the process of setting up a brand new enclosure for my baby - I've had him for about 3 days and I've learned the hard way that glass aquariums are just too difficult to maintain humidity in (for me at least, and the heating is so touchy too, ugh) - So I'm trying to solve my problems before they cause any big health issues for my little guy and moving him to a tub set up.

So I went out and got a tub (about 20in long, I forget the quart count), melted the holes in it and put a new UTH on it so I could monitor the heat before I moved him in. I've got the hot spot at a wonderful 94 degrees but then, somehow, the cold side is reading as low as 72 degrees - At first I thought I just didn't get a large enough heat mat (deciding to err on the side of too small rather than too large), but I discovered that even when I set my probe not an inch away from the edge of the heat mat, I'm getting readings of like 75 degrees - So it can't be a sizing issue, can it?

I'm using a regular plastic tub from Walmart, locking lid and everything, 2 rows of holes punched along the bottom (about 2/3 inches away) as per the sticked guide - What possible reason could there be for it to just not retain heat at all?

I'm really frustrated here and not sure how to correct this - I haven't found anything relating to this sort of issue.

[llovelace]

Can you post pics of the tub, that would help

[rustypolished]

Sorry about the terrible lighting - The giant probe is a stand in (my regular thermometer is monitoring the tank my snake is currently in).

I know this tub is taller than what most people typically use, but I picked it because it's almost identical in size to the 15gal tank i have him in now and I want to make the transition as stress-free as possible by keeping everything close (which may be a totally pointless exorcize, but it was my first instinct to try and help) - and I don't plan on getting another snake or starting a rack system so I'm not worried about stacking or taking up too much space - The paper towels are the remains of a humidity test (spritz'd them down with water and used my hygrometer, I was satisfied with those results so I put the hygrometer back in the active cage). The cardboard sheet is a double layer to insulate the bottom of the cage from the cold counter top.

The heat mat I'm using is a Zilla "small" for 10-20 gallons - since the tub is nearly identical to the 15 gallon glass tank, I figured that would be the closest bet. It's created an excellent hot spot...but yeah, all of the rest is in my first post. Move an inch off the heat mat and suddenly the temperature has crashed into the 70s.

[fluffpuffgerbil]

Having heat issue too... I'll watch these threads instead of making a new one..
I hope you can get some help with how to get things warmer..
I woke up and my temps were at 93.5* on the hotside and 69.4* on the coolside. >.>

[Vypyrz]

Under Tank Heaters aren't going to do much for your ambient temperatures. They are designed to provide a warm spot for the snake to lay on, but they can raise the temperature inside the hide some. The ambient temperature inside the enclosure is directly affected by the temperature of the room that it is in. Tubs are great for holding in humidity, but they still require a little work for heat, especially if the room they are in is kept at cooler temperatures. The easiest thing to do is to raise the temperature of the room. If this is not feasible, you can opt for a double UTH set-up, but this will require two thermostats, one to control each heater. You would basically set one to about 77-80F, which would be your cool side, and the other to about 92F for your warm side. I have also seen some people set-up heat lamps as supplemental heat, but you would have to make sure that the lamp does not come into contact with the plastic tub.

I noticed that you didn't mention using a thermostat. I highly recommend getting one. Using an unregulated UTH can result in serious burns to your snake.

*Edit* When choosing the size of the heat mat, I get mine so that they cover at least 1/3 but not more than 1/2 of the floor space.

[rustypolished]

Vypyrz - Thanks for the advice! I've got a thermostat on the way from Amazon, never fear - I know it's not ideal, but the breeder and I's schedules didn't sync up very well so I ended up a little off track and despite all of my searching I can't seem to find them retailing anywhere in my area D:

Anyway! Rather than going straight away to the two UTH, I decided to try and work with what I have first and I replaced my old 75watt heat lamp with a 40watt red bulb and I clamped it on a little bracket I bolted to the lid of the tub (to keep it from potentially melting the plastic). I angled the lamp so that it would be directed to the middle of the tub and let it run and it seems to have fixed all my ambient air temperatures in one fell swoop. I might even bump the light up to a 50watt to get them just a liiiittle bit higher, but no more than that. I'm going to let it run over night and see how it goes before I make that call.

[RichsBallPythons]

I would drop the tub size down to one thats not so tall. And not soo many holes on the sides.

Start will less holes as they let humidity and heat out and work to the right amount that works for you

[rustypolished]

Just an update about the gradient issue - Now that the whole set up has been running for several hours, everything has evened out quite well! I've got an ambient air temperature of 80 with a hot spot of 90 and a perfect, stable 55% humidity with no perpetual misting needed! I'm don't plan on going back to a glass tank any time soon.

My little guy is actively exploring about - Showing 0 signs of stress or fear even as I move about the room. He actually pooped for the first time (in my care) this evening! Looks totally normal to me (not that I'm an expert) and I'm taking it as a very good sign. I tried (a bit overzealously I admit, after a move to a new cage) to offer a mouse this evening (just by placing it near one of his hides) he didn't show much interest, but that's okay - my fault for being too eager to please, I think. I'm going to try again, properly, on Monday I think.

Thanks for all your advice, everyone! Hopefully things continue on the up and up in the next several weeks.