Temperature Question

[martin82531]

I understand what the correct temperatures are supposed to be but I'm confused on one thing. The basking area is supposed to be at 90 degrees, my current setup is a UTH heater with a thermostat which maintains this temperature, but is this good enough for the "hot side" or should I still have a heat lamp of some sort? I currently have a Acu-rite on the very left side of the tank (cool side) to measure temp and humidity, temp on the cool side has never dropped below 79 or gotten higher than 81.

[Trackstrong83]

All you need is a UTH. No lamp needed

[martin82531]

All you need is a UTH. No lamp needed

Thank you!

[inca666]

might be better if you dont use heat lamp. will make your humidity drop significantly. stick with belly heat! also you would avoid shed problems.

[I-KandyReptiles]

I understand what the correct temperatures are supposed to be but I'm confused on one thing. The basking area is supposed to be at 90 degrees, my current setup is a UTH heater with a thermostat which maintains this temperature, but is this good enough for the "hot side" or should I still have a heat lamp of some sort? I currently have a Acu-rite on the very left side of the tank (cool side) to measure temp and humidity, temp on the cool side has never dropped below 79 or gotten higher than 81.

Sounds fine.

Heat lamps are generally used to help ambient temperatures, but kill the humidity.

[kitedemon]

There are two types of temps in question Air temps and surface temps. Typically the surface temps should be 80ºF 90ºF or with in a degree or two of these. The air (ambient) temp has quite a long range 78-85 or so.

A UTH is a conduction heat source. This is 'direct' heat and the efficiency depends on the quality of the conductor. Conduction heat will heat objects in contact this object can become the second type of heat convection but as it is the second down the line this is inefficient. UTH do very little to alter air temps.

Lamps are an example of convection heaters they heat the air directly. This directly relates to ambient air temps.

A tanks in a warm room may have ambient air temps that are in the optimal range but often we humans are much more comfortable with room temps cooler than this range often in the mid sixties. In cases where the ambient air temps are too cool a lamp is an efficient
inexpensive method of raising the air temps.

How you get the correct temps is not really important that you do get them is. Temps is everything to reptiles, all body functions are tied to it, temps that are too high or too low will eventually result in serious health issues.

lamps heat the air and alter the way it moves this warmer air can hold more water or less depending on how it moves in relation to water sources. The lamp can increase or decrease RH The notion of them always dropping humidity is a misunderstanding of what is happening. There are some whom have claimed the glass absorbs water and others whom claim warm air cannot be more humid than cold. Both are complete fabrications. Your water bowl and substrate water mass control the RH in the enclosure and how the air moves around if it stays in or out of the enclosure. The lamp is not the problem generally it is the open top. Often placing the lamp of a bit of glass will alter (heat resistant) the way air moves enough to alter the RH.

Never choose humidity over temps. Temps are crucial humidity is not as much.

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I can't tell you you do or don't need a lamp I can say what your room temp and room conditions are. You need to do what is necessary to get the temps correct.

[martin82531]

Are you saying my temps are incorrect?

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[kitedemon]

I don't know your temps... I was just explaining generally what and why. You posted that you hot spot is 90. That is fine... your ambient cool surface ? I could only guess. I or anyone else but you can say if they are correct or not a hot spot is only 1/3 of the temp concerns and the easiest one to get.

[martin82531]

I have an acru-rite on the cool side and the temp never drops below 79 or raises higher than 81, this should be ok right?

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[don15681]

I have an acru-rite on the cool side and the temp never drops below 79 or raises higher than 81, this should be ok right?

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that is fine for the cold side. the hot spot you have is fine, as long as this is the surface temp and not the air temp on that side. and you don't have a large build up of substrate where the bottom is even hotter and if the snake digs there, runs a chance of getting burned.