Heat Tape?

[skinnyrascal]

I would unplug your UTH until you have a thermostat

I understand the well-meaning behind this, but my house stays around 65 F this time of year and I do not think that would be good for Kleo.
The only other option would be to use the handwarmers I have for emergency, but those would be unregulated as well so probably not much difference.

So far she's been well and healthy for 7 months under the conditions I've had her, so I believe she will continue to thrive for another day or two until I set up her new enclosure. But thank you.

[skinnyrascal]

What are your temps hot side cool side and the ambient temp? I would NOT turn off you UTH if the hot spot is 1/2 way correct (under 100ºF) I would do the best to balance it until you get a T-stat. My snakes would not last long with no heat in my rooms (60ºF today) the concern is a burn but not all UTH get to the same temp especially when you look at the effect room temps can have.

Normally I've only been able to keep it at 65 - 70 on the cool side and 80 or so on the hot side. I moved Kleo's favorite hide to the middle so at least she is getting enough heat for now (she has never refused a meal and always feels warm or room temp to the touch, not cold). She never even lays directly on the UTH since I did that, so I think she's safe from burns for now. But that's the biggest reason I looked into upgrading her enclosure with more space and a larger heat pad.

The only thermostat PetCo carried was a Zilla one for $53 e.X;;; I just hope it works well! I kept the receipt just in case. Got a medium sized Zilla UTH to go with it.

If anything I know I'm at least doing better than PetCo...their BP tank had the humidity on the 'desert' range as usual, and one of the poor dears already had a sunken eye. Reptiles always seem to be the least of everyone's priority in most pet stores, it infuriates me.

[AdamF]

Normally I've only been able to keep it at 65 - 70 on the cool side and 80 or so on the hot side. I moved Kleo's favorite hide to the middle so at least she is getting enough heat for now (she has never refused a meal and always feels warm or room temp to the touch, not cold). She never even lays directly on the UTH since I did that, so I think she's safe from burns for now. But that's the biggest reason I looked into upgrading her enclosure with more space and a larger heat pad.

The only thermostat PetCo carried was a Zilla one for $53 e.X;;; I just hope it works well! I kept the receipt just in case. Got a medium sized Zilla UTH to go with it.

If anything I know I'm at least doing better than PetCo...their BP tank had the humidity on the 'desert' range as usual, and one of the poor dears already had a sunken eye. Reptiles always seem to be the least of everyone's priority in most pet stores, it infuriates me.

You are heading in the right direction, but if Kleo never lays on the hot spot, it means it's too hot. 70 Degrees on the cool side, and 80 on the hot side just cant work. If she lives through this either your temps are wrong, or she is the exception to the rule. What are you using to measure temps?

[kitedemon]

skinnyrascal I am glad you did not shut you heat down, you would have had all kinds of issues.

Ideally the temps should be close to 90ºF for the warm side and 80ºF cool side and the ambient air temps you have a bit more flexibility 78-85ºF range that can be quite difficult in a cool room. I would suggest you get a probed thermometer especially as the zilla T-stats are not reliable temp wise. You will need a decient thermometer to help get it set. Be very careful with the zilla pad it will deliver very hot temps with no regulation. Not all pads will but the zilla is not among the new generation of them.

For a thermometer I would suggest the cheapest digital unit you can fine. All the inexpensive ones are about the same accuracy (+/-2ºF or worse) and this is just not good enough really. The solution is either spend buckets of cash (buy a better T-stat first) or buy a few (4 or more) the same and check them against each other typically you will find two that read the same these usually are close to correct. This is the only way to get cheap and 1/2 way accurate at the same time.
something like this... I usually buy 10-20 at a time eliminate 3-6 as incorrect and the rest become extras. I replace them at the first sign of damage to the cords or probe.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Digital-LCD-...item439ed521dd

I am not a fan of the zilla T-stat (using the term loosely) they often have a great deal of back lash (swing) and hysteresis. Keep a very close eye on the temps with this unit you may see extreme spikes especially with a higher wattage pad.

[AdamF]

Skinny,

I am also glad you did not burn anything down. Get your temps regulated, and use reliable means to measure them. Often times if a BP gets sick/stressed out from poor husbandry, by the time you notice it, it could be too late.

Many BP care sites that are NOT this forum, will tell you 65 ambient, and nothing warmer than 80-85, will is not adequate for a BP.


Good luck