Anxious new BP mommy

[PitOnTheProwl]

Thanks for everything Pit!

One question though, my UTH is stuck to the bottom of my tank and I have the bro be underneath the tank. Is this not a correct way to set up? How can I fix this if the mat is already adhered to the tank?

You can carefully peel the mat back but you may damage it.
The problem with having the probe under the mat instead of between the mat and the glass is that cold air (a/c) can make the temperatures fluctuate more.

[BbyBubbles]

You can carefully peel the mat back but you may damage it.
The problem with having the probe under the mat instead of between the mat and the glass is that cold air (a/c) can make the temperatures fluctuate more.

Oh, I see...
So I keep seeing online that there are different suggested heat ranges for the warm, cool spots, and I'mstill really confused as to which rages are better. So as a hatching I should set up for 76-78 on the cool end, and 86-88 on the hot end?

[firefox9799]

1) Covering the sides of the tank with cardboard (or a towel or something) should be fine; whatever prevents your snake from feeling too exposed. Remember the covering should be outside the tank whenever possible; it would be difficult and annoying to clean/replace (especially if it were cardboard) every time your snake makes a mess on it (waste and water and such).
2) It is a good idea (very highly recommended) to have a hide on both sides of the tank in order to give your snake freedom to choose, especially in a clear tank, so s/he doesn't have to sacrifice a comfortable temperature for feeling safe (out of sight).
3) The best temperature guidelines, from what I have read, are keeping the cool end around 80 and the hot end around 90. It's the cool end you should pay more attention to; it is best that it doesn't dip below 75. Again, make sure your snake has hides so it can choose where it feels most comfortable.

A temperature gun is very widely recommended. It is great to be able to tell the temperatures from the cool end, the hot end, the cool end hide, and the hot end hide in mere seconds. Even the water temperature if you should wish.

Most of this advice is from extensive research, not actual experience (yet) so feel free to correct me if you have experienced something different.