herpstat 2 question

[dandrek]

I recommend Herpstat no matter what the situation.

That said, any thermostat isn't going to make the heating keep up with big ambient temp fluctuations any better than any other thermostat. Either your heat sources are underpowered for the amount of temp rise you need, or the probe(s) are incorrectly placed, or you're attempting to use a heating device for a task it isn't designed for (e.g. using a heat mat to raise viv air temps is not only not going to work, but is very dangerous -- as you mentioned) or some combination of the three.

Optimizing the enclosure for your climate extremes is far better than throwing more heating equipment (which can fail) and misting sessions (hard to deal with when on vacation, or sick) at problems, especially since moisture and temperature are somewhat interrelated. You don't mention what kind of enclosure you have or what your climate is like, but a PVC enclosure is by far a better choice in cold or dry climates than is a fish tank (which is better for...fish ) or an ExoTerra (tolerable for some species, but ideal for few), since they hold heat and moisture well while still offering enough stock ventilation for most species of snakes in most climates.

More info than you asked for, but hope it helps.

Thanks for the reply. Right now, she is in a 20L glass tank as a temp home. I am eyeing an Animal Plastics 4x2x2 (T12) or a 4x2x1 (T8) PVC one for her forever home, when she starts to outgrow her current place. I don't know how people do it but me I couldn't afford to buy a small PVC tank and then turn around and buy a 4ft one 6 months to a year later. I almost bought the 4x2x1 PVC one when I started this project but everyone and their dog was telling me don't do that they like small space and a 4ft space right out of the gate will just stress them out. Start small and work your way up as she grows. I am still halfway temped to buy it and move her into it and stop going toe to toe with the humidity and temps because I am from Kansas and it's always dry and right now bitter cold.

So here is how I have her tank setup for right now. Probe 1 is in between the heat mat and glass. I got an inch of echo earth and cypress mulch mixed together and in her hot hide I placed the probe of a zoo med digital temp on the surface of the substrate. I use that to read how hot it is in the hide, so I don't have to pop the lid each time and disturb her getting a reading with the lazer temp gun. So I judge if I need to up a few degrees or down a few degree based on that zoo med temp gauge. On the cool side I added another hide and behind that hide on the glass I have probe #2 about two inches from the substrate. That probe controls the CHE on top in about the middle, it's set to 78 and I don't have to mess with that too much and seems to be holding the air temp to about 80.