newbie defacto snake owner tank too cool!

[jlatenight]

ok, this is kind of embarrassing, but I checked again with the heat gun and I think the problem was I was shooting through the glass when I measured the UTH area. It's like 122F square in the center of where the mat is, and 70F where she is now, pretty much the middle of the tank. So that would explain why she never goes over to the hot side!! So I'll stick with the UTH I have, and get the thermostat for it and set it to like 90, and that should be all set. Ambient temp says 72F and the thermometer is an analog one, and it's near the top in the middle of the back wall. How can I get the Ambient temp up? I have a 100W heat bulb going all the time resting on the screen on the left side.

[tttaylorrr]

Ambient temp says 72F and the thermometer is an analog one, and it's near the top in the middle of the back wall. How can I get the Ambient temp up? I have a 100W heat bulb going all the time resting on the screen on the left side.

an analog thermometer is essentially useless in terms of accuracy; get a digital one like this for $8 at wally world. you're probably getting a false reading. get a good thermometer/hygrometer so you can accurately measure before you start thinking the temps are too low.

also, the thermometer should be closer to the enclosure floor, as you should be measuring closer to where the snake spends its time.

[jlatenight]

I have a thermostat and a digital thermo/hygro w/ probe on the way! I just moved the analog one near the bottom for now. So say it stays at like ~70 ambient. What would you do next to bump it up?

[tttaylorrr]

What would you do next to bump it up?

mini space heater? if you have one handy.

[jlatenight]

I do, and I just put it in there to bump it up a little. I really don't like the idea of running a space heater all the time though. What about another light fixture for the right side with a CHE in it, along with the lamp on the left? That would have to be safer & cheaper than running a space heater, right?

[tttaylorrr]

I do, and I just put it in there to bump it up a little. I really don't like the idea of running a space heater all the time though. What about another light fixture for the right side with a CHE in it, along with the lamp on the left? That would have to be safer & cheaper than running a space heater, right?

of course! it will have to be regulated as well, tho. TBH, if the room has a steady temperature, you can get away with using a rheostat/lamp dimmer instead of a thermostat. they're cheaper but also cannot read the surround temps, hence why they should only be used in a room with a stable temp. a thermostat will always be the best, safest and most preferred option, but a rheostat can work if you know what you're doing. when i ran a CHE with my 20gal glass enclosure, i used rheostats like this one.

EDIT: i agree with craigafrechette in that i don't think you need to jump to getting two fixtures just yet. IMO one 100W bulb should be MUCH more than enough to heat the entire enclosure, which is why i think you're not getting accurate readings for temp. once you have the proper equipment (which you said were on their way) and get everything dialed in and accurately measured, THEN we'll figure out if you need more heat.

[CALM Pythons]

I do, and I just put it in there to bump it up a little. I really don't like the idea of running a space heater all the time though. What about another light fixture for the right side with a CHE in it, along with the lamp on the left? That would have to be safer & cheaper than running a space heater, right?

The glass is loosing heat and the screen. You have a 100watt heat lamp you said correct? That is more than enough for a 20 gallon tank. Cover most of the screen except for where the Heat Lamp is, also 3 sides of the glass with Cardboard or foam insulation board. Move the Heat lamp a bit closer to the cool hide for now so she is at least 80. Use you temp gun ontop of the hide to see what the temp is after a few hours. Check it again in the morning as it can take a long time to regulate and might be to hot. Until your Thermostat comes put a piece of cardboard inside the tank over where the UTH Hide is so he doesn't get burned by the 122. That should take it down to a temp a lot better for a few day incase its to cool at night and trys to lay on it.


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