Cool Side Temperature

I’m having trouble keeping the “cool” side of my viv warm enough. The “cool” side is within ½ degree of the ambient air temperature even with a towel on top of the viv.

Living in the upper mid-west, right now it’s nearly impossible to keep the area any warmer than 68 degrees.

The “warm” side hide temperature is hovering right between 84 and 86 degrees so I’m confident the new corn will enjoy that area.

It my understanding that corns do not need an artificial UV light source like other reptiles do so I was wondering if a lamp on top of the viv, with say a 40 watt bulb, would work??

Does anybody have a similar experience?

Regards,
Steve

Hey Steve,

My situation is identical, warm side 85ish and cool side same as the room, 65ish. This has never been a problem, in fact, they spend most of their time off the heat. I have a hide on the warm side, one on the cool side and a water dish in the middle with openings for them to get underneath. 98% of their time is spent under the water dish.

I have all of my containers in a shelf and place a towel or sheet over the front to hold in the heat and keep out the cold when it gets really cold at night.

Another idea I haven't tried yet, but plan to soon is to buy a ceiling tile, like the ones you see in restaurants and other businesses, at your local hardware store for about $4. They come as about 1/2 inch insulation with a plastic sheet on one side or as a compressed cardboard like material about 1/2 inch thick with one side being painted or with plastic coating. Fire place insulation sheets could also be used. You can cut these pretty easy and put them on the sides and back of the tank with tape to insulate your viv. You may have to actually turn down the rheostat if that is what you are using because the hot side will get hotter as well. Since the heat won't be lost so easily through the sides, it should form a better gradient with the desired temp on the cool side easier to achieve.

Just a couple of ideas. I hope one of them helps.
John

I think I have it licked. I placed a 25 Watt incandescent light bulb over the "cool" side of the enclosure. I was able to raise the temperature from 66-68 to 70-71.

Two things you cannot pinch me on

1) The thermometer inside the enclosure is only temporary as there is no snake in there at the moment.
2) I realize the vines that I have inside the enclosure would not survive in the environment (desert) depicted in the background. It’s a work in progress.

Regards,
Steve

I have the same problem. I use a heat lamp on my cool side, but it is mounted about 8-12 inches above the top of the tank. If you are getting a baby snake, it will probably crawl along the top lip of the tank (where it meets the lids) and it will be VERY HOT right there. Mounting the light up higher will give you what you're looking for...even if your cool side only gets to 70-72F.

Kudos on getting it all working right BEFORE your snake arrives!

They sure love climbing on vines, though...

The Petsmart by my house sells really cool desert-y looking stuff like fake hollow fallen over cactus and fake hollow piles of dry wood.

Nanci

ssmith_1187 said:

2) I realize the vines that I have inside the enclosure would not survive in the environment (desert) depicted in the background. It’s a work in progress.

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Hey, it's an oasis. Look, the water is right there. You find all kinds of vegetation at an oasis. LOL. At least that is what I would tell the new snake if he ever asks. :crazy02:

At least that is what I would tell the new snake if he ever asks.

Click to expand...

I fully intend to explain to him why things are the way they are :spinner:

My kids think it looks reeeeeeally cool though :dancer:

Regards,
Steve

Hey, three of my snakes have aquarium backgrounds on their tanks. Not one of them has asked me yet why there are fish swimming thorough their plants.