Heatpads, Thermostats, Dimmers, and Frustration

[RichsBallPythons]

As long as the temp INSIDE the tub where the snake lays dont exceed 94 your fine. 88-90 is ideal so if you have to raise the tub with spacers to achieve that then do so.

[llovelace]

I don't advocate the use of lamp dimmers on a permanent basis, due to fluctuations in an environment where temps fluctuate. I do use them in in my QT room, which is at a constant 78-80*.

[Herpking]

I would look into the dimmer ILovelace mentioned. And maybe even an on off thermostat I use a big apple one cost me like 45$

[Herpking]

I use http://www.bigappleherp.com/BAH-1000-Thermostat
This one but I am upgrading to a proportional one because I have more then one snake and am working on a snake rack/cage

[MisterDespair]

Now the probe is reading at 113 degrees.

Like I said, the uth is taped to the tub. Should I instead lay it on the table under the tub? Will that help?

I mean, it's gonna be days before I'm able to get a thermostat... I want to order one online (of course I cant find any in Canada so that the shipping costs aren't huge... go figure) because I seriously doubt there's anywhere on Vancouver Island that has what I need. (Petsmart was a total bust.)

[Salodin]

One snake? Get a dimmer. It's real simple to use and all you need is a thermometer to see how much you need to adjust your dimmer to. My dimmer keeps my uth at about 40-50% power and my aquarium does fluctuate, but it's within reasonable levels; during noon time it'll get around 95, at night itll drop to 89ish. Can't really beat it for 8 bucks.

[kitedemon]

Is this a human heat pad it sort of sounds like it is? For the moment untape it from the tub and leave a small air space between them, that will drop the temps a touch bigger space bigger drop. 100 is too warm, you should be about 90. You could also do the same with the dimmer as the air space. The problem is that as the room temps change the tub temps go with it. I would also recommend a herpstat it is only 28$ more than a Johnson and will deal with the tub and typical household temps better.

If you have a human heat pad you need a proper reptile designed one zoo med, ultratherm, exoterra or the like. in addition to the thermostat. Any proportional thermostat with a under tank heater correctly sized will provide spot on temps with no worry or concern.

[MisterDespair]

This is an Exoterra heat pad, it's the desert model. I'm wondering now if the problem is that it's for desert temps? I'm thinking I will go buy the rainforest heat pad today... at least that will help me in the short term I think.

I am quite upset. I went to buy the NEW DIGITAL CHIP - BAH-1000DC Reptile Thermostat With DC Chip Technology and they said they won't ship it for orders under $100... AFTER I purchased it. They really do not make this easy. Why not supply these things in ALL pet stores if it's something that you DO NEED for your snake? This is pretty pathetic, and something someone could make a killing on if they started selling it in big pet stores like Petsmart.

[Salodin]

They do, zilla sells them and all the major pet stores carry it. They don't teach you the correct way to use it though, and they can get too hot very fast.

That, and you don't technically need it to take care of your snake. Sure it is preferred, but preferred and need are two different things. You could keep it alive and healthy with just a lamp bulb.

[MisterDespair]

Does anyone know of any thermostats that ship to Canada?? Or at least to Vancouver Island? Because I've been denied by every single place Ive tried to order one.... even Amazon!!