Ambient temp problems

[reknirt]

You'll want the probe just above the substrate so that it is measuring the ambient temps of where the snake is spending its time. And side note, I have the same set up -- uth, CHEs -- with a 30 gallon tank. My lid is covered with plexiglass except for the two openings for the CHEs. Just fyi, adding the CHEs and getting your ambient up to 80 will destroy your humidity. I've tried everything to keep it in but the air is just too dry and cold. That being said, there was a good post by the user 'KMG' recently that talked about having the same issues and he just keeps moist moss in the hides and his snakes have clean, full sheds. So don't worry too much about your tank as a whole drying out. The snake spends 98% of its time in its hide so if the humidity is good in there it doesn't really matter what it is in the other 40 gallons. It's more important that your ambients are 78-83ish in order to prevent a respiratory infection.

[JoshSloane]

Dimmers work just fine with CHEs. I have about 4 running in my snake room. As long as your house as a whole is thermostatically regulated, and room temps don't deviate, you will be just fine.

Also, two 100w CHEs, combined with two heating pads is going to be MAJOR overkill for a 40 gallon tank. I would honestly just go with an oil heater in the room to raise your ambient temps. DeLonghi makes a Safeheat oil heater that is extremely efficient and wonderful at safely raising room temps.

[Snake Judy]

Dimmers work just fine with CHEs. I have about 4 running in my snake room. As long as your house as a whole is thermostatically regulated, and room temps don't deviate, you will be just fine.

OP said in the original post that their house temperature does not stay constant and they often go away for the weekend, so dimmers won't work.

[Sauzo]

My advice is buy a quality thermostat. It is the most important item and can be used for years on any reptile. I'm a Herpstat guy so I would say buy one of those. You can a Herpstat 1 for around $140 which will work great. I've been using mine for a little over 3 years now for my big BCI girl and it works great. Or you can get a Herpstat 2 or 4 if you plan to expand. My Herpstat 2 was around $200 and I use that to run my other 2 snakes. Regardless, with a fluctuating house temp like that and you not being around, you need a reliable T-stat.