UTH And Substrate Questions?

hello all i have a few general questions...

i can't afford to buy rheostats (if thats what they are...sorry I'm still new to this snake stuff) but i have the Zoo Med Repti-Therm UTH for a 20 gal tank under one side of his tank but i don't know what the temps are so i brought another UTH its called Hagen Heatwave Mat 16 watts but im not sure if i should put it on the other side of my tank. I don't want to make it to hot for him he's never had a bad shed i i never seen any problems with him before but i just don't know about the temps is there anything i can do for this?

Substrate: is there anything i can do about the substrate to make it more natural i don't like aspen so i was wondering is there any kind of dirt i can use for him to burrow in.

your definately going to need some way to properly manage temperatures. Knowing what temperatures you have would be a start. If you don't already have one, you need a digital thermometer with prob. They're cheap here in the UK, arounf £8-9, so im sure they're cheap in the US too.

You only need to us one UTH. You need to create a temperature gradient across you tank, ie. having a warm and cold side.

Check out the FAQ on this site for more info,

good luck
Tom

shredded aspen is the best substrate for corns, most people here use it, as it DOES enable the corn to burrow through it

I agree, before you can do anything properly you need to know the current temperatures. Get an indoor/outdoor digital thermometer with a probe. Also get a $9 lamp dimmer from WalMart. You can use that to regulate the temperature, once you know what it actually is.

If you can't afford these 2 cheap items, well your snake could suffer. Probably end up burned or worse.

okay i got it but i have no ides what a indoor/outdoor digital thermometer with a probe looks like does anyone have link to where i can see or purchase one?

there everywhere, just google that phrase and it comes up with hundreds of links

http://www.reptilesupply.com/product.php?products_id=1823&rssid=noq4l0e14hhjb2l3ao4f1j69s2


According to this site the 7watt Hagen heatmat will heat a 10-20 gallon on its own, and operates at 100f. So i'd be wary of putting it alongside another heatmat and operating them both at the same time without anyway to monitor or regulate them.

Just stick 'reptile supply' into google and you'll get hundreds of sites, most if not all will stock a thermometer. Im not sure how close your local reptile store is, but they will also stock a selection of thermometers and thermostats, maybe give them a ring?.

would these be okay to use(not exactly sure)

http://www.petsmart.com/product/ind...s=A-StorePrice-PET&parentPage=family&keepsr=1

They'd be about as much use as sticking your finger in the tank and guessing, from what i've read.

If your strapped for cash, you'd need atleast a digital thermo with a probe.

http://www.reptilesupply.com/product.php?products_id=1714


But ideally you need a Digital Thermo-hygrometer with atleast one temperature probe. Have a look around a few sites and you should find one easily, I dont know many supply stores in the US so i cant link to any.

thanks for the help everyone..i went to petsmart and found one for a great price and the temps are 83 on the hot side and about 68 on the cool side

When measuring the hot side, put the probe right on the glass over the center of the uth, under the substrate and then check the temp.