temp question

[chupster]

i've had a BP for a few weeks and was going on the advise given at the pet store. had a day heat lamp for day and a infrared night heat lamp hooked up for evening. i was reading 90-92 daytime and mid-high 80s at night. i found this forum in an attempt to gain knowledge and just hooked up a UTH along with a rheostat control and the hot side belly temp is 92. cool side belly and air temp are 75. i see the prefered temp for cool side is in the 80s .do i need a second UTH set in the 80s(please let me know what #)? And how about the air temp? is this what is called ambiant temp? and is this something i need to suppliment with some other type of heat source?

specs on tank... 29 gallon glass. screen top with the tin foil duct tape method. humidity is at 65. all readings with digital. he seems very happy and healthy. he's eaten both times i've fed. just looking to get everything right to avoid future complications

thanks in advance

[Argentra]

Yeah, lamps are not really needed and will just suck out humidity. The best thing to do would be to get some flexwatt or another UTH for the cool side on another t-stat or rheostat set for around 82. Your best bet long term would be to get a thermostat or two instead of the rheostat since rheo's don't last too long. ReptileBasics.com has the best prices I've seen so far on the cheaper stats, and Rich will wire them up for you himself.

[chupster]

thanks... i put the bulb on for tonight and it got the air temp up to 82. I'll go pick up another UTH in the morning and hook it up on the cool side at 82. now how about air temp. is this needed to be at a certain level, or am I just looking to get the belly temp. in the proper level?

I'll have a look at that site there as well

[Sparky1]

Just to throw it out there, you can always get a simple reostat to control them as well. Just keep in mind that it is not digital and you will have to adjust it to the temps. you are looking for. I have one tank that i am running like that, and after a couple of days of playing with it i was able to get it all dialed in. This is harder if your room temps change alot. Just trying to give you another option, Good luck!

[Argentra]

As far as ambient or air temp goes, I believe that as long as it's not too low (such as below 76) and your substrate temps under the hides are around 92 and 82, then things should be ok. Of course, I expect to be corrected if this is wrong.

[Ringo]

That sounds right to me Argentra. Snakes can pick up heat from the warm objects around them. Thats why lots of snakes in the wild will bask on warm rocks to pick up heat. I think thats why my guy likes to curl around my hand when I get him out. He will sit there all day if I let him.

[Argentra]

Heh yeah, my little girl prefers my wrist. In fact, almost every reptile I've ever held has really loved wrapping around my watch...

My ghost corn, on the other hand, seems to prefer my chest and neck.

But back to the temp thing, as long as you have the right heat spots and a good gradient your snake should be happy.

[chupster]

thanks for all the help... i got a UTH on each side now. cool at 82-82.6, hot at 92-92.6. it seems to flutuate between these during the day. I also have a ceramic heat emitter that is keeping the ambient at 78.5. humidity is at 57. all heating devices are on rehostats. this seem like good numbers? I couldn't for the life of me find a thermostat at any of the pet shops in my area so in the future I'll probably get a few from the internet... but again... thanks

[Argentra]

That's what we're here for Those numbers sound good...just watch that CHE, those things can really suck up humidity.

And no, you won't find a t-stat at any petstore sadly. But the best place to go for one is ReptileBasics.com. Rich is the greatest and has Ranco and Johnson stats for @ $75. If you want to go the extra mile, and have the extra money, you can get a helix or herpstat for $110 or so.

Good to hear that the temps are stable.

[Sparky1]

As for your t-stat i purchased mine from reptilebasics and they are great! If you are only housing the one ball i found that the ranco works just as well as my herpstat and you save a lil money! Not saying that the herpstat is not wonderful just more money.