Adding a Second Heat Source

[Crazymonkee]

You're gonna have to keep the room temperature up so the tank is at least 80. To low a temp for too long is an respiratory infection waiting to happen. And a vet is way more expensive

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[NH93]

Ya... you definitely need a heat gradient!

The setup can get pricey. You'll need a thermostat (if you don't already have one) to keep the UTH around 90F - if you can't afford one right now, because those can be expensive, you can try a rheostat or lamp dimmer for like $5 at any box store and see if that works.
You will also want to get another hide or two! At least one for each side of the heat gradient in the tank. The beautiful thing about this is, hides can be FREE! You can make them from any sort of box (ie. 1/3 of a tissue box) or plastic container upside-down with a hole cut in it (ie. margerine container). Just make sure the edges aren't too sharp and you're good to go!

I use the "free" hides right now, knowing that my BP will grow quickly. I also have a red 50W bulb that I use to keep the ambient temps up, and a UTH with thermostat (Jumpstart thermostat from Amazon, it's on sale right now http://www.amazon.ca/Jumpstart-Digit...art+thermostat).

Definitely check out Kijiji (or Craig's list in you are in the US) for some used things if you are tight for cash. I can totally understand, being in university, living on my own, with 2 snakes


It's good that you came here for help though! Good luck!

[Dev_DeCoste]

Thanks! I'm going to be buying this tank http://burlington.craigslist.org/for/4140409288.html for $10 tomorrow or the next day. I can use Bill Me Later to get a few things off Amazon, so I can get the essentials within the next week or so. So the most important things right now are a temp control like you linked and another hide? Right now I have 2 thermostats and a humidity gauge, a basking lamp and a heat mat but no control for it. I have 2 heat mats though so I'm trying to find the best spot for the second one.

Ya... you definitely need a heat gradient!

The setup can get pricey. You'll need a thermostat (if you don't already have one) to keep the UTH around 90F - if you can't afford one right now, because those can be expensive, you can try a rheostat or lamp dimmer for like $5 at any box store and see if that works.
You will also want to get another hide or two! At least one for each side of the heat gradient in the tank. The beautiful thing about this is, hides can be FREE! You can make them from any sort of box (ie. 1/3 of a tissue box) or plastic container upside-down with a hole cut in it (ie. margerine container). Just make sure the edges aren't too sharp and you're good to go!

I use the "free" hides right now, knowing that my BP will grow quickly. I also have a red 50W bulb that I use to keep the ambient temps up, and a UTH with thermostat (Jumpstart thermostat from Amazon, it's on sale right now http://www.amazon.ca/Jumpstart-Digit...art+thermostat).

Definitely check out Kijiji (or Craig's list in you are in the US) for some used things if you are tight for cash. I can totally understand, being in university, living on my own, with 2 snakes


It's good that you came here for help though! Good luck!

[Dev_DeCoste]

Also, how do units like these control humidity? http://www.spyderrobotics.com/produc...12redline.html

If nothing goes in the cage I don't quite get how it changes anything. Just doing some research and want to understand things a bit better. Once I get my school return I want to deck my lil guy out with a nice, big semi-new set up

[NH93]

Also, how do units like these control humidity? http://www.spyderrobotics.com/produc...12redline.html

If nothing goes in the cage I don't quite get how it changes anything. Just doing some research and want to understand things a bit better. Once I get my school return I want to deck my lil guy out with a nice, big semi-new set up

I don't quite understand your second question.

Also, I don't use that herpstat unit so I am of no help there maybe someone else will chime in!

But you ABSOLUTELY need some way to control the heat, because those mats can and will get to above 120F which WILL burn your snake!!
If you don't get anything to regulate the heat output, don't bother even plugging them in until you do. Just make sure to have the heat a constant 80-85F with a bulb until then, and don't feed.

[Dev_DeCoste]

I don't quite understand your second question.

Also, I don't use that herpstat unit so I am of no help there maybe someone else will chime in!

But you ABSOLUTELY need some way to control the heat, because those mats can and will get to above 120F which WILL burn your snake!!
If you don't get anything to regulate the heat output, don't bother even plugging them in until you do. Just make sure to have the heat a constant 80-85F with a bulb until then, and don't feed.

Okay thanks! I'll order one today.

I basically don't get how units regulate humidity.

The product description states:

·Configurable for Heating, Cooling, Lighting, and Humidity.

However the unit sits outside the tank and for humidity control you just have to buy a humidity probe and you can then regulate the tanks humidity as well. How it do that? haha

[Dev_DeCoste]

For some reason I cant edit the above post...

The product description states:

"These units can be used for precision temperature control, lighting control and even humidity control."

[NH93]

Ohhhh I think maybe it's for humidity equipment (ex. for frogs or whatnot) to be hooked up to it.
You will have to manually keep an eye on the humidity there are many ways to do this of course. If you have questions about that, search some other threads about humidity control there's lots!

[Dev_DeCoste]

Ohhhh I think maybe it's for humidity equipment (ex. for frogs or whatnot) to be hooked up to it.
You will have to manually keep an eye on the humidity there are many ways to do this of course. If you have questions about that, search some other threads about humidity control there's lots!

Yeah humidity is also a tricky situation. I've been looking around the forums trying to find a good solution

[Dev_DeCoste]

So I added a second hide to the cool end. Temp is still around 80 throughout. I repositions the hot-hide so that only half the heating pad overlaps it. That way it doesn't just cook inside the hide. Moved the water dish to the center.. Came home and he was exploring the new set up. Have to admit it is pretty cramped in there now.