Substrate and Temps

[JohnNJ]

I have the aspen now so I'll try it this weekend when I clean the tank. I want it smelling nice for Super Bowl Sunday. I'll let you know how it works out.

Thanks.
JohnNJ

[chaase321]

A quick follow-up question...How thick should my substrate be? I am using Cypress (about 1 1/2 inches on the hot side incase of burrowing, and 1 inch on the low side) is this good? thanks

[Slim]

I use Slate tile in all my herp enclosures, it is the easiest to clean, not too smooth, not too rough and still looks very natural and good. Also transfers heat pretty good as well, not to mention it's not really expensive at all either.

Wow

A quick follow-up question...How thick should my substrate be? I am using Cypress (about 1 1/2 inches on the hot side incase of burrowing, and 1 inch on the low side) is this good? thanks

Two inches or so all the way around should be fine.

[JohnNJ]

I cleaned to tank and put the thermometer probe on the glass above the UTH. I put a sheet of newspaper over the probe and aspen (1 to 2 inches) on the newspaper. I have the hide on top of the UTH.

The probe reads 99 degrees at the hottest spot (gets lower as you move away from that spot). I took a reading on the top of the aspen with an infrared temp gun and it read mid 70's.

Does the temp gun work on aspen?
Does it take a while for the aspen to heat up?
Will the heat build up inside the hide?

I'm going to put another probe in the hide, on top of the aspen, when I get home tonight. I'm curious to see what that reads before I open the hide and use the gun again.

Thanks.
JohnNJ

[JohnNJ]

I put another probe in the hot side hide. The temp of the probe under the newspaper, right on the glass above the UTH, is 97 degrees. The temp of the probe in the hide sitting on top of the aspen is 75 degrees. The temp gun read 82 degrees, which is warmer than yesterday. I'm not sure how to read this.

If I make the UTH hotter to warm up the aspen I run the risk of a burn if the snake burrows.

Anyone have any ideas? The newspaper is folded over so it's like two sheets. Is that too much? Maybe the aspen is too thick. Not sure where to go with this.

Thanks, JohnNJ

[MUSTANGGTANDGSXR]

make the substrate thinner under the hide or remove it all from under the hide. i was having the same problem and i wanted the natural look so i put newspaper and covered it with cypress mulch. i removed the substrate from under the hide only and put the probe inside the hide against the newspaper. that way he can have the correct temp and no worries of burrowing.

[dr del]

Hi,

The general rule is to adjust so that the highest temp the snake can encounter (under the newspaper in this case ) so it does not exceed 95f then adjust the depth/ type of substrate until the temps inside the hide on top of the substrate are at the 90-94f level.

Looks like I took too long to type this.


dr del

[JohnNJ]

adjust the depth/type of substrate until the temps inside the hide on top of the substrate are at the 90-94f level.

The probe and temp gun should show the actual temps on top of the aspen, right?

And everyone plays this little game of add/remove the aspen to get the temps right every time they clean out a tank? There has to be a better way.

JohnNJ

[MUSTANGGTANDGSXR]

once you do it a few time it will get easier and easier.

[Argentra]

You want to know the temp UNDER the substrate right on the glass. That way, you can make sure it doesn't go above 95, as Dr Dell said. Then, the temps on top of the substrate will be about 2-4 degrees cooler, which is just right.

BPs don't really need deep substrate. I just give them enough to cover the paper without bare spots - about one finger joint depth. Seems to work well here.