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thermostat which and how and feeding

O

Ophion

New member
I did my best reading and researching, but I am still stuck with some questions. I just got my young corn snake, Ophion, 2 days ago. Sadly he (or she?) came from a pet store, but I do know the person who cares for them and know while they may have not had the best breeder or the best space they got good care otherwise.

My biggest question is about heating and a thermostat. I got a UTH, but I need a thermostat and want to make sure I know what I am getting. It is very consistent temp wise here and Ophion's viv has been a consistent 81. I know that isn't giving him a cool and warm side - just a lukewarm middle. So I need to pop the AC and get the UTH on with a thermostat. ZooMed has one that is cheap (nice for a college student), but I don't know how well it works and I may have to get it shipped. Zilla has one a bit more pricey, but I should be able to go to the store and grab it, if it is worth it. Are either of these good, or are there any other options? With one chosen, a silly question, where do I put the probe to measure to temp on the UTH?

After that lengthy blather, a simple question about feeding. I have seen it has been recommended to wait about 5 days before feeding after you first get your corn to allow settling. I certainly have no issue with that, but was also curious if I know Ophion is fed on Thursdays (today) would it be better to keep with the schedule or just wait until 5 days?

I appreciate any and all feedback!
 
We have two Zoo-Med UTH and they work great. We also use Zoo-Med Thermostat and keep the probe right in the middle of where the UTH is stuck under the viv. I put the aspen on top of the probe to keep it in place and then there are hides on top of the aspen so it stays in place pretty well. I also got my thermometers from Amazon for pretty cheap and I place the thermometer probe right next to the UTH probe.

As for feeding, I think it's best to wait and let them settle a bit before feeding. Also, depending on the size of your snake you may want to feed more often than once a week. Do a search for "Munson Feeding Plan" and that should give you a good idea of how often to feed.

Good luck with Ophion! :)
 
I can answer some of those questions. First off though are you using the uth in the middle of the tank? It should only cover about one third of the tank so one side is heated and the other is not. The probe for the thermometer should go directly on the bottom of the tank on top of the uth. 81 Degrees should be fine but I think the ward side is recommended to be mid 80's. Can't really recommend any thermostats but I'm sure someone will come along with that info. As for feeding, if she/he was fed on Thursday's then I think it would be fine to wait until next Thursday to feed again, or you could wait the five days and feed on Tuesday or so. I'm not a expert and Someone else will probably come with more experience than me. I would also MAKE SURE you get a thermostat quickly, Since I've heard uncontrolled uth's can get up to a 100 Degrees!
Well I hope I answered Some of your questions.
 
If you measure the temp on the floor surface (where the snake would be) on top of the UTH with a digital thermometer (not a plastic dial or cardboard strip, which can be 10-20 degrees wrong either way), you'll probably find that it's much hotter than 81 degrees. Unregulated UTHs can easily get over 110 and some reach 120+ unless they're hooked to a thermostat.

85 is a reasonable temp to aim for once you have the thermometer and thermostat.
 
I should probably clarify the UTH is not currently on at all. Because I do not have a thermostat I did not want to run the risk of it getting to hot and also that it is already 81 (with a couple of degrees warmer in the aspen, which Ophion is currently snuggled into). We have not turned the AC on this year, just fans and the way our apt is blocked in the temp sits at 81 day and night. I know he needs something cool though and something to regular between rather than stagnant warmth.

I will be waiting to feed and I read the Munson Feeding Plan earlier, it was a nice guide. I don't know his weight, but I think he is getting close to two pinkies. We will see when it comes time and how things go.

Thank you for the help. Now I must find a place here that has a thermostat in stock so I can avoid having to wait for it to be shipped.
 
habistat thermostats are great for heat mats

here are the two types that would suit you

dont forget as well as the thermostat probe being on the bottom where the UTH is, you would also need to place a digital thermometre probe in the same place to monitor it accuratly as themrostats tend to be on an analog dial

Normal thermostat

Pulse thermostat

Ophion said:
I should probably clarify the UTH is not currently on at all. Because I do not have a thermostat I did not want to run the risk of it getting to hot and also that it is already 81 (with a couple of degrees warmer in the aspen, which Ophion is currently snuggled into). We have not turned the AC on this year, just fans and the way our apt is blocked in the temp sits at 81 day and night. I know he needs something cool though and something to regular between rather than stagnant warmth.

I will be waiting to feed and I read the Munson Feeding Plan earlier, it was a nice guide. I don't know his weight, but I think he is getting close to two pinkies. We will see when it comes time and how things go.

Thank you for the help. Now I must find a place here that has a thermostat in stock so I can avoid having to wait for it to be shipped.
Click to expand...
 
habistat thermostats are great for heat mats

here are the two types that would suit you
Click to expand...
Bear in mind that most folks here are in the States. I'm not sure Habistats are available over there (although I've always used them and I think they're great!).
 
get them easily of ebay in new condition, with warranty

but they do last a lot longer than most (as I have tried several over the years)
 
Any thermostat will probably do the job you need it to. I've used ZooMed thermostats, and they have worked for me.

If I'm understanding, your snake is an adult, correct?
If that is true, it is really no problem waiting a week or so and feeding him on next Thursday.
Or... you can pick your own feeding day.

Snakes can easily skip a meal, and it is easier on them to not have to digest when they are stressed out- as being in a new environment does.
 
I ended up ordering the ZooMed thermostat. I tried to find it here, but no one carries any thermostat it seems. With wanting it sooner rather than later I really didn't want to wait for shipping from the UK! :D

Naagas, Ophion is still quite young, about a 12-13 inches, though I am not sure what age. No history, so I am just as guessing, but obviously not adult yet.
 
if she is 12-13 inches, i would say she is about 6 months old, maybe slightly younger

and yeh shipping is a pain in the arse,

just make sure the probe is on the heated area on the floor along with your thermometre


Ophion said:
I ended up ordering the ZooMed thermostat. I tried to find it here, but no one carries any thermostat it seems. With wanting it sooner rather than later I really didn't want to wait for shipping from the UK! :D

Naagas, Ophion is still quite young, about a 12-13 inches, though I am not sure what age. No history, so I am just as guessing, but obviously not adult yet.
Click to expand...
 
Thank you for for the thought on age. I have been curious. I knew how long he was at the store, but I don't know how old they get them.

I will be sure to get the probe properly positioned. I am quite anxious without it and trying to make sure temp is suitable. He seems quite comfortable for now. Rests under the aspen during the day then comes out around 5-6 to explore and socialize with the world.

I am still waiting to handle him and went to clean his water (he loves swimming around in it and ends up getting aspen pieces in it) he was up at the cage lip and decided to get on my hand and go exploring before I had much to say about it. Had to set him back.
 
Ophion said:
I am still waiting to handle him and went to clean his water (he loves swimming around in it and ends up getting aspen pieces in it) he was up at the cage lip and decided to get on my hand and go exploring before I had much to say about it. Had to set him back.
Click to expand...

I'm sure there will be those that disagree with me, but I believe if the snake is that indifferent to your hand inside its cozy little home your probably fine to pick him up.

How long has it been since you first got him?
 
if you using a heat mat inside or under the tank make sure the aspen is very very thin and spread out over this, as this can create incorrect temps causing ur thermostat to turn of the heating too early

have the thermostat probe and thermometre probe together roughly middlish of the heated area with no aspen underneath them or on top, and then pop a hide over it

and let him taste u etc, as he soon see ur not a threat and therefore become tamer sooner,

well done



Ophion said:
I will be sure to get the probe properly positioned. I am quite anxious without it and trying to make sure temp is suitable. He seems quite comfortable for now. Rests under the aspen during the day then comes out around 5-6 to explore and socialize with the world.
Click to expand...
 
I have never heard that about not putting aspen over the probes for regulating the UTH. Can you explain why that might be a problem? We've been doing that for over three years with good results, but I am open to making improvements if we are making a mistake.
 
I have never put aspen thinner over the heat mat.
I just put the probe under the aspen, and use the aspen to hold it in place.
 
With the UTHs I use, the instructions normally direct the user to have substrate no deeper than one inch over the surface of the mat, but I'm not sure I've ever religiously stuck to that. I can't see how there would be a risk of overheating when used with a thermostat at Corn temps. May just be the manufacturers covering their backs for those who choose not to use stats.
 
yes certainly.

if the aspen covers the heat mat, it causes insulation, and thus temperature increasing, therefore the thermostat hits the set temp and turns of the heat mat

if snakey is on top of the aspen, and not in between aspen and heat mat, then the temp on top surface, considerbaly lower than the heat mat temp

if say u then had thick aspen, and probes on top of aspen, then if snakey burrows, the heat mat will be too HOT as the heat mat is insulated, but the top surface has to reach the set temp before switching off

where as if you have very little aspen on heat mat, and probes on top of this, the temp will be more accurate, without insulation, and the termostat turning of heat mat at the correct set temp, so snakey is not too hot (burned as they dont feel it like we do), OR too cold

jessicalb said:
I have never heard that about not putting aspen over the probes for regulating the UTH. Can you explain why that might be a problem? We've been doing that for over three years with good results, but I am open to making improvements if we are making a mistake.
Click to expand...
 
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