Guidance needed. Complete Newbie here. Just rescued ball python followingpolice raid.

[Stacy]

Hello all! I am new to this forum and completely new to snake ownership. I have never owned one in my life. I am involved in animal rescue but never have come across a reptile. A house was raided and many animals were confiscated and I offered to take the baby ball python. I have been researching non stop and have quite the headache because so much information conflicts.

Right now I have had him 2 weeks. I have a tank set up where I have a heating pad that sticks to the bottom outside of the tank and a heat lamp for over it. I have a little water fall for him on the other side. I just received the Herpstat 1 in the mail and I am trying very hard to understand the best way to set it up and how to set the probe properly but I am not having luck and am confused re: temps. I am not sure where each side of the tank should be set at and how one probe is able to appropriately measure each side (mine also says it will measure humidity).

Is there anyone who is familiar with Spyder Robtic's Herpstat who could help me appropriately set it up in my tank to make sure I am providing accurate heat and measuring it?

Again, I have never owned a snake so please remember to "dumb it down" a bit until I get a grip on all of this.

Thank you SO much! My snake, Monty is in the photo below. I love him already and want to do the best I can. Thanks again!

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...type=1&theater

[brock lesser]

Start by reading the care sheets here, then anytime you have questions don't be afraid to ask.
The people here are usually very good at help and advice.
Welcome to the addiction.

[bcr229]

The probe for the thermostat should go between the under-tank heater (UTH) and the bottom of the tank. Plug the thermostat into the wall outlet, and plug the UTH into the thermostat.

Initially I set the thermostat at 90*F and then I read the surface temperature of the glass using an IR thermometer after a few hours. At that point I adjust the thermostat up or down as needed to get a hot spot of 90*F.

Depending on your room's ambient temperature you may not need the heat lamp, or you may only need it during the winter if your house is cold. They tend to dry out tanks so I don't use them.

[Stacy]

Thank you so much for responding! If I am understanding correctly, it is ok for the probe to touch the under tank heating pad? Out of curiosity, what is the reason for placing the probe directly onto the heating pad instead of it being inside the tank to get a reading? I feel the current thermometer I have now isn't really that accurate so do you have a suggestion for an in tank thermometer and also for the time being, what do you suggest probe wise? Also, how does the herpstat change the output of the UTH pad I have? I guess it is built with the ability to adjust heat output?


My room's temp is around 73 day and 70 at night. I turn the heat lamp off at night and wasn't sure if that was okay or not. The UTH is always on but the heat lamp I shut off at night. What temp should the "cool side" of my tank be? Also humidity?

Last (so sorry lol), I read somewhere that I need to plug the herpstat into a surge protector and also read people were wrapping things around the cord like aluminum foil or heating tape for some reason? Any suggestion about this or am I okay to leave it as is?

Thanks again!!

[Stacy]

Hello! Thank you! I have read up a lot about the care but again I read various things and get confused. Also feel I need more of a step by step guide for dummies (lol) for the herpstat thermometer I just received.

[bcr229]

Thank you so much for responding! If I am understanding correctly, it is ok for the probe to touch the under tank heating pad? Out of curiosity, what is the reason for placing the probe directly onto the heating pad instead of it being inside the tank to get a reading?

Yes the probe is fine sandwiched between the UTH and the bottom of the tank. You don't want it inside the tank because the snake can move it off the heat, or pee on it.

I feel the current thermometer I have now isn't really that accurate so do you have a suggestion for an in tank thermometer and also for the time being, what do you suggest probe wise?

WalMart has a digital Accurite thermometer/hygrometer that is $12-15 and decently accurate.

Also, how does the herpstat change the output of the UTH pad I have? I guess it is built with the ability to adjust heat output?

Yes that is what a thermostat does. You plug the UTH into the thermostat, when the probe cools off the thermostat sends power to the UTH, and when the probe gets too warm the thermostat shuts off the UTH.

My room's temp is around 73 day and 70 at night. I turn the heat lamp off at night and wasn't sure if that was okay or not. The UTH is always on but the heat lamp I shut off at night. What temp should the "cool side" of my tank be? Also humidity?

I would leave the heat lamp on. You will need to cover the rest of the tank's screen top with something like foil or Glad Press n Seal to keep humidity in. Putting a damp dish rag or washcloth under the foil or plastic wrap also helps with humidity, just remember to re-wet it every day.

Last (so sorry lol), I read somewhere that I need to plug the herpstat into a surge protector and also read people were wrapping things around the cord like aluminum foil or heating tape for some reason? Any suggestion about this or am I okay to leave it as is?

A thermostat is an electrical appliance like any other, and the digital ones, like computers, don't like "dirty" electricity. So yes, using a surge protector with them is a good idea. I don't know what the foil/tape thing you mentioned is.

[Stacy]

Thank you so much for answering all of my questions so quickly. I am going to go set up the Herpstat now and cover the top of my tank with the suggestions you made.

Oh one other thing - if the probe is between the UTH and tank how will it be able to accurately tell me the tank's humidity level since that is one thing the Herpstat does?

[bcr229]

You'll need to get a separate hygrometer. I do have a Herpstat but use it for my incubator as there's no way the eggs or babies can mess with the probe.

[artgecko]

The accurite thermometer / hygrometer that bcr mentioned will tell you the temps and the humidity in the tank. I got the indoor / outdoor one and use the long probe on the hot side directly over the hotspot (I hot glued it in place), then place the unit on the oppisite end of the tank and it should tell you the hot side temp, the cool side temp, and the humidity.

The herpstat probe is just to control how much power goes to the heat mat... It shouldn't be used to read humidity.

Oh, and btw, never use tape in the enclosure to secure wires or anything... which is why I used the hotglue to secure the thermometer probe and not tape. Apparently snakes can get stuck to tape very easily.

[Navaro]

In regards to fixing the accurite thermometer / hygrometer to the inside of the tank. 3M make a 'clipping' version similar to velcro. It's very strong, and won't injure the snake should it come 'undone' for any reason (ive never had this issue)

http://www.target.com/p/3m-command-d...t/-/A-13713731

readily available from walmart and such where you get your accurite thermometer / hygrometer