A question about heat

[gatorboy306]

In my 24x12x18 Ball python terrarium, I have a small uth zoo-med heater in the right hand corner underneath the hide box. When i place the probe on the bare glass the temp reads 103 degrees, which is way too hot. When i put a moderate amount of my coconut shaving substrate over the glass, place the probe on the substrate and then put the hide back on top, the temp reads in the mid 80's (86-85). Is there anything i could place directly on the glass and then put substrate over it? or should i just use less substrate?

[gatorboy306]

such as a washcloth? or paper towels?

[BHReptiles]

In my 24x12x18 Ball python terrarium, I have a small uth zoo-med heater in the right hand corner underneath the hide box. When i place the probe on the bare glass the temp reads 103 degrees, which is way too hot. When i put a moderate amount of my coconut shaving substrate over the glass, place the probe on the substrate and then put the hide back on top, the temp reads in the mid 80's (86-85). Is there anything i could place directly on the glass and then put substrate over it? or should i just use less substrate?

1. Is your UTH on the OUTSIDE of the cage? The way you worded it makes it sound like you have it on the inside. It should be on the outside of the cage.
2. Do you have a thermostat hooked up to your UTH? If you don't, you NEED one. That will keep your glass from getting too hot and burning your snake. As it is right now, if your snake were to sit on the glass, it would have a burned belly without question.
3. How thick is your layer of substrate? It shouldn't be more than 1/2 inch thick or else the heat from the UTH will never reach the snake.

Once you have a regulated (with a thermostat) UTH and only a small amount of substrate on top of the glass, your temps should be where you want them. no more than 92* on the top of the glass. That will probably put your temps around 88-90* on top of the substrate which is perfect hot spot.

[Eric Alan]

All good things from BH!

I just wanted to add that the probe for your thermostat should go between the glass and the UTH. That way, nothing can come between the probe and the UTH to interfere with temperature regulation.

[satomi325]

You want to measure the hottest part of the enclosure, which is the glass. So make sure your glass is not hotter than 95 degrees.
You also shouldn't use more than half an inch to an inch of substrate.

Also, have a separate thermometer to measure the temp. Don't use the thermostat as a temperature reader. All that does is just regulate your heating pad.

For example, I set my thermostat to 95 to achieve a 88-90 degree hot spot in the enclosure.