So stressful :(

[Mrl249]

Ok guys so this is it I'm laying down all my problems and questions that I have so far. Hope your ready :/

I have always wondered how to keep the perfect (nearly perfect) temperature in my snake room and in there hot spots. For some weird reason this is one of my biggest stresses in life.

First, I made a ghetto rack out of a old bookcase I had. I just took one shelf out from the middle and lowered it while adding a second shelf on top. That way I can have 3 tubs in it.
I ordered a thermostat, flex watt, extra clips, and aluminum tape on line. Then went to lowes and got some copper wire. So I laid out my aluminum tape, set up all 3 of the flex watt strips down. I then snaked the 3 shelves. I know it looks a little tacky :/

After that I plugged her in and to my relief it worked . Here's a picture of it. Ha


So about a week ago I purchased a used rack from my good friends. It has 2 different rows of heat tape and 2 different plugs to plug each one in. I asked my friend why there are 2 strips on each shelf and he said, just incase you need extra heat. So I said cool and ignored it.

I get home. Set up all the 41q tubs in the new black rack and plug one of the cords into the same thermostat my ghetto one is plugged into.


At first I had the probe on the old rack thinking it would set both the racks exactly at 90 degrees. 30 minutes pass by, I go in my snake room to see all 4 of my snakes in the new black rack at the very front as far away from the heat as possible. (while all the snakes in the old rack are just fine).
I freak out ! As fast as i carefully could, i took a tub out and felt it and it was super hot. Then I immediately unplugged the sucker. I wondered why it happened and decided to try and move the probe into the new rack. I put the probe through the front and just run it back along the sides. (the tub still slides out fine)


So now the new rack seems to be working well but the old rack hardly heats up at all and that's if it decides to heat up. Idk what to do :/
I also would like to know, what do people usually keep there air condition thermostat at (throughout the whole house) during breeding season and non breeding season.
I live in Texas so it is mostly hot, even during the winter. I have a little heater in my snake room that will not let it get below what ever temp I want it, but I can't keep it plugged in 24/7.

I just want my ball pythons and I to be comfortable. I plan to breed this coming year and I want the snakes to know when the season changes, but idk how to do it. I have heard that if it's not cold enough the snakes will not go into "heat" (if you will). Is that true? And what temp is perfect for each season,Hot spot and normal room temp.

I am new at this and any advise would be greatly appreciated!!
Thanks everyone!

Sincerely,
-Mark


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[The Serpent Merchant]

You cannot use one thermostat for 2 different racks. If there is any difference in design/flexwatt/tubs/rack materials/flexwatt connections the amount of heat produced will be greatly different. you need to use on or the other.

[The Serpent Merchant]

I have heard that if it's not cold enough the snakes will not go into "heat" (if you will). Is that true? And what temp is perfect for each season,Hot spot and normal room temp.

There are lots of people who do not cool off during the breeding season at all so no this is not true.

cool side 78-82, hot side 88-92, room temperature what ever makes the first two listed work (will be different for everyone) all year no need to ever change anything.

[The Serpent Merchant]

Also I just wanted to warn you that particle board is not a very good choice for racks as it does't handle humidity well and sometimes has nasty chemicals in it.

[RestlessRobie]

Sounds like you have 2 different wattage of flex watt in the racks or different sizes/brands. I have no problem heating 2 different aquariums with one T-stat but I used flexwatt fromthe same roll cut to exactly the same length. So I would rewire/flexwatt both racks and you should be fine as long as all flexwatt is the same brand and wattage.

[The Serpent Merchant]

Sounds like you have 2 different wattage of flex watt in the racks or different sizes/brands. I have no problem heating 2 different aquariums with one T-stat but I used flexwatt fromthe same roll cut to exactly the same length. So I would rewire/flexwatt both racks and you should be fine as long as all flexwatt is the same brand and wattage.

The differences in the rack design/materials/size make it impossible to safely control both with 1 thermostat.

[jtomb1510]

I'm with Aaron. You need to get a t-stat for each rack.

[Steve-J]

I agree with all of the above advice and I would add that the thermostat that you are using is the on/off type that is better suited as a backup thermostat. Your best bet for achieving proper, stable temps is to invest in a herpstat 2 (or two separate thermostats) which you can use to control both racks with separate outputs. The thermostat is the most important piece of equipment so it's best to get a good one.

[Mrl249]

Thanks everyone I will look into getting one asap. I'm leaning
Towards a helix thermostat, would that be good ? Has anybody used one before ?


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[The Serpent Merchant]

Helix thermostats are good but I feel that you get more for your money with herpstats (if nothing else the interface is better)

http://spyderrobotics.com/