Temps, humidity and placement questions.

[Gio]

Hi,

I have a few things to ask. First I'll describe the setup.

40 gal breeder tank (Critter Cage) screen top. 4 hides. 2 cool and 2 hot. 2 of the same kind one on each end, then a half log behind a fake plant on cool side and a top hole coconut hide on hot side..

2 water bowls. 1 small, and 1 large, larger is on hot end.

UTH on hot end and I'm using a heat lamp with a 75 W bulb.

1 snake displayed in son's room. New pet/birthday (9 yrs old) gift from mom and dad. Dad, that's me is the caretaker.

Snake 10 month old 27 inch female Royal.

Top of tank is now being covered 3/4's with a damp towel under foil with a towel above it to weigh it down a bit. I'm not happy with humidity levels right now. 42%. Towel thing is new so is may help. Its also VERY dry out which in not normal. Room humidity is about 43%

OK, I'm a bit of overkill here, but 4 thermometers. Cheap dial Exoterra floor, center tank is at 80 degrees. Strip therm cool side back wall mid tank 77 degrees. Indoor/out therm on cool side is 78-79 right on the floor. Hot side indoor/outdoor therm with indoor/outdoor humidity is 95+ sometimes.

Question: Should I have the remote in tank unit for the hot side therm right under the light and right over the UTH? Should I have the aspen substrate between the UTH and the unit or have it right on the glass bottom. Its at 96 now and she seems to still like that side. Seems like its on the hot end of the temp spectrum however.

Also,, would you have the humidity checked on the hot side or the cool side for the most accurate level. I'm thinking the light is cooking it out on the hot side??

Thanks I know its a lot, but you guys are great and can probably help me.

[el8ch]

Question: Should I have the remote in tank unit for the hot side therm right under the light and right over the UTH? Should I have the aspen substrate between the UTH and the unit or have it right on the glass bottom. Its at 96 now and she seems to still like that side. Seems like its on the hot end of the temp spectrum however.

Also,, would you have the humidity checked on the hot side or the cool side for the most accurate level. I'm thinking the light is cooking it out on the hot side??

Hey There,

Just a couple things...

You want a digital thermometer with a probe inside of both your hot and cool hide - These are more accurate then stick-ons and strips. I wasn't sure when you said remote if you were talking about a probe?

I would say 96 is too hot! Do you have a thermostat on your UTH? You need to be controlling this to prevent your snake from being burned. Also just to confirm your UTH is on the outside of your tank right?

What you want is the UTH attached to the bottom of your tank. Your thermostat probe will attach to the UTH to monitor and control the temp of the UTH. Your digital thermostat probe will go in the hot hide to monitor the temp. You can now adjust your thermostat to get the correct HOT side temperature of 88-92.

EDIT: And YES. Your bulb will kill humidity. I also advise that this is controlled by a rheostat or light dimmer to prevent it from getting too hot. When I had a tank setup had my humidity probe mid-tank to.

[The Serpent Merchant]

First question does the UTH have a thermostat yet?

Where exactly is the probe for the indoor/outdoor thermometer placed?

I measure humidity on the cool side, you are correct that the heat lamp will lower the humidity level on the hot side but there is little that can be done about that.

[Gio]

Strip therm is one of the 4. No probes, they are remote units, so they are little boxes that transmit temp and hum readings to the base unit. "cordless". Hopefully that is OK they were not cheap, but not super spendy either.

UTH is (for now) the smallest and not a 40 gal tank heater. I did this because I have lights. I may switch to the 55W infrared full time. The snake has not used a hide yet. She continues to sit on a branch under the light. The UTH in not regulated at this time. If I put the back of my hand on the glass where its mounted (yes outside tank) it's warm but not hot.

Before our summer trip I may switch things up yet again and get the full sized UTH and the thermostat, or if humidity probs don't resolve afetr a few attempts here and a weather change.

So, 1 remote is on top of UTH and under the light. (the humidity one)

The other is on the cool side. Both on the floor of tank.

The other 2 cheap ones are center tank just off the floor and cool side 4-5 inches up back glass.

If needed I'll switch humidity unit to cool side if you think that is best.

[The Serpent Merchant]

What feels warm to you is scalding to a cold blooded reptile (and the fact that your BP won't go into the hide is proof)

I would unplug the UTH until you have a thermostat, your heat lamp should be enough alone

I have no experience with the wireless thermoneters, if you can find one of these it will be all that you need

[Gio]

OK, but through the sub I can barley feel a thing. The hide deal was going on before the UTH which is actually between hides so it's partially under each but not fully. No hides period. Not cool side not hot side. She likes the branch under the light which to me seems warmer than the small UTH.

I have the Acu-rite but it's cordless. Target, Walmart and Home Depot in my area did not have "probed" versions.

Took advice and moved Humidity reading therm over to cool side,, went from 41% to 50%. The other term remote unit is smaller and I set it on the sub above the UTH. So far its at 95. If it gets to 96 I'll drop to the 55W bulb.


The plan is to go with a full sized UTH and get a thermostat. What is the preferred thermostat here (most people use) that is affordable? Anything under $100?

I'm not a fan of lights, at least not 75W and up lights. They seem hard to manage and I'm not sold on having one on in my house for 8 days when I'm gone on vacation later this summer.

[The Serpent Merchant]

The best thermostats are the Herpstats made by spyder robotics. They are going to run at least $100

Here is their website. I suggest the Herpstat 1

http://spyderrobotics.com/

Next up would be the Ranco thermostat. These aren't as good as the Herpstat but still a good option. They usually run $60-$80

You can get them here:

http://www.reptilebasics.com/ranco-etc-111000-pre-wired

At the bottom end is the hydrofarm thermostat. These are the least accurate and what most consider the cheapest usable thermostat. They run about $30

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000NZZG3S


If she isn't using any of the hides, that might be a sign that they are too big or too small...

This shows the perfect fit for a BP hide. Tight, but with a little wiggle room. They like to be able to touch all of the sides at the same time.

[Gio]

OK heard another one was Helix but have not heard how much.

Also snake has only been here since Tuesday night. Possible she'll settle and use the hides. They should be right sized. i've been in and out of the tank more than I wanted to with the temp stuff.

I look at the Spyder Robotics Thermo. Thanks



Just an update humidity up to 57% now that I switched sides for the thermometers. 95 is hot side temp with UTH on and infrared 55W bulb. Cool side is 79. Center tank temp 81.

[The Serpent Merchant]

Helix thermostats are good, though they are in need of an update, and cost about the same as the Herpstat.

[Gio]

OK, just shot you an update on temps and such. Thanks.

I'll keep you posted.