Ranco Thermostat Settings

[pitbulls4me]

I hooked up my Ranco thermostat tonight and got my thermometer in there as well. Now I have a couple questions about it all....

First, when setting the temp on the actual thermostat do you select heating or cooling? I put my temp in at 94 degrees with a 3 degree differential. Is that ok or should I change it?

Second, I have the thermostat probe between the tub and the UTH. I have the thermometer between the tub and substrate. Thermostat says 95 degrees and thermometer says 88 degrees. Should I bump up the temp on the thermostat til my thermometer reads 94? I am a tad confused.

Third, in my glass tank set up our hot side is staying at 93-94, our cool side is at 78 degree with a heat lamp on it. Our humidity level is at 38%. Top is covered with foil, the heat lamp is partially on the foil and on the screen top to not add too much heat and kill our humidity. Any advice on making the temp and humidity better? And what is a good humidity level?

Thanks in advance for any and all help!

[llovelace]

Yes you will have to bump up the t-stat alittle til the thermo reads 92-94

For the tank humidity issue I would add natural sea sponge or spagnum moss. Your humidity should be above 50% and around 60% during shed.

[SatanicIntention]

You'll want a 1 degree differential. Too much fluctuation can cause them to go off feed or you'll get a sick snake.

Keep bumping up the thermostat until you reach 93-95 on the thermometer. It may end up being 100 or more until you get there. As long as the thermoSTAT probe is secured to the flexwatt or heat pad, you'll be fine.

[pitbulls4me]

Thank you very much for the advice!

[deltaneutral]

I actually have my Ranco set at 112 degrees to have a belly temp of 90 to 91. It will depend on the type of substrate and how deep it is.
I use an infrared temp gun to test the belly temp reading.

I agree that a 1 degree differential is probably the best to run at as it will go off at one degree over the set temp and come back on at one degree below...3 degrees fluctuation.

As for humidity, I had a heck of a time with a glass tank and screen top and eventually switched to a fully enclosed set up.

[nixer]

3 degrees should be fine aslong as its in range!
substrate doesnt matter! nothing in that tub should be hotter than 94 degrees i lean towards 92 tops myself

[pitbulls4me]

We havent had any issues with belly temp and getting the right temps using the Ranco. I love itand it makes it a whole lot easier than using the dimmer. Our humidity is good in the glass tank, of course we had to make a few adjustments.