UTH's and Ambient Air Temps Formula

[mrmertz]

Has anybody run across any figures or formulas relating to the ambient air temperature in a given space and the wattage/area of a UTH pad?

I'm trying to figure out which UTH to go with for an Exo-Terra
18"x18"x18" terrarium with varying thicknesses of a mix of Reptibark and fir/spagnum moss mix. Ambient temps in a similar tank without a UTH and running two 25w DayGlo bulbs stays pretty much at 82 degrees and 67% humidity (day).

Adding a UTH I have a choice of the Exo Desert 8x8 8w, 10.5x11 16w, or the Rainforest 8x8 4w or the 10x11 8w.

It's for a small ball python and yes, it's temporary for now. I'd like the ambient temp to be around 85 to 88 degrees since in his tank now he stays right in the middle of the two zones 90% of the time. The temp where he likes to hang out at stays at about 85- 86 degrees.

I'm thinking of the 10.5"x11" Desert (16w) pad.

Thanks!
Jeff

[Gloryhound]

I don't think any exact formula has been created as too many variable exist. Ambient room temp, Temp changes in room, size of UTH, enclosure material, Anything you have in the tank will retain, absorb, and once to proper temp help maintain, substrate in use, relative location to other heating elements from other enclosures... the list goes on. You have to kind of play with things till you come up with the proper formula.

I am building this and once each set of tubs are ready I start them up to start playing with temps in hopes of getting it all figured out soon after I am done, so I don't have to wait to long to put the snakes in.



Just looking at this you can see tons of variable that are going to be changing as the project continues.

[missi182]

I have an exo terra 18x18x18 for my juvenile bp, and it is very tall for him so Ill be switching it to a longer shorter tank soon. I have damp towels and plexiglass covering the tank, a 15-20 gal UTH on one side set to 90 and I have another 30-40 gal UTH on the cool side set to 84. The ambient temps are kept up by a 75 watt black light because my house is quite cold. My ambient temps hang around 80 and my humidity right on 60 most of the time.

Everyones set ups are different because of different room temps, outdoor conditions, natural humidity and various other uncontrollable differences. You may need to do quite a few 'trial and error' experiments before you get the proper variance in temps and humidity.

Also, make sure you have some sort of control plugged into your UTH's, they reach temperatures as high as 120 degrees uncontrolled. I personally have not used the rain forest or desert stick on UTH's but I would be careful with those as well. You may want to consider getting the zoomed UTH because at least those do not have to be stuck on permanently if you aluminum tape them to your tank.

Good luck!!

[mrmertz]

Yeah, thats an idea...thermostat on the UTH. Well call me stupid! I know, there are just so many variables when it comes to this topic. The ZooMed under Humphrey's tank had no thermo on it and it does feel pretty hot! A LOT hotter than the Rainforest type.

How big is your BP in the Exo tank? I'm only switching him to that for now since he LOVES climbing at night.

Thanks!
Jeff

[littleindiangirl]

I only have to caution on a little climbing, and the clumbsiness of BP's as ground dwellers. If you create an environment that he can climb on that is close to the top of a tall enclosure, he can very easily fall and hurt himself. BP's are not built for climbing like a GTP, and one fall on some furniture in the enclosure can result in broken ribs, internal damage and can lead to death.

My male BP was full grown when we got him and every night he would "climb" the glass trying to get to the top of the enclosure and he fell often, and HARD.

Just my two cents, and something for every keeper to think about. Leave arboreal tanks for arboreal species.

[missi182]

I only have to caution on a little climbing, and the clumbsiness of BP's as ground dwellers. If you create an environment that he can climb on that is close to the top of a tall enclosure, he can very easily fall and hurt himself. BP's are not built for climbing like a GTP, and one fall on some furniture in the enclosure can result in broken ribs, internal damage and can lead to death.

My male BP was full grown when we got him and every night he would "climb" the glass trying to get to the top of the enclosure and he fell often, and HARD.

Just my two cents, and something for every keeper to think about. Leave arboreal tanks for arboreal species.

I do agree with you, and I do have the top of my tank covered in plants and a thick vine that goes right around the middle of the tank so he doesn't fall 18inchs and bonk his head or seriously hurt himself. When he does climb, which is not often anymore, there is so much for him to hold onto in all four corners of the tank, I think he'll be ok for now. Like I said though, I am getting him a shorter tank to be safe, I love my little guy and I don't want him to get hurt because I like the way his tank looks.

[missi182]

Yeah, thats an idea...thermostat on the UTH. Well call me stupid! I know, there are just so many variables when it comes to this topic. The ZooMed under Humphrey's tank had no thermo on it and it does feel pretty hot! A LOT hotter than the Rainforest type.

How big is your BP in the Exo tank? I'm only switching him to that for now since he LOVES climbing at night.

Thanks!
Jeff

My bp is 150 grams, just a little guy, I don't know how long he is. Yes they do love climbing at night but I am glad my bp sleeps 90% of the time, including most of the night (I stay up until 3 sometimes, and still haven't seen him out and about in over a month) But I saw my bp fall a few times when I first put him in his tank and I got really worried he would hurt himself so I filled the tank with things to climb on. Its still not the best idea though.