Disappointed in Exo Terra Heatwave Desert Vivarium Heater

[tyflier]

You have it hooked up to a thermostat, according to your first post. So those are NOT the max temps, those are the thermostatically regulated temps.

9* is NOT a huge deal. "Half" of the UTH not working is an impossibility. Since there is only one contact with the outlet plug, if it is heating up, it is working. Again...I think you are tryin to manage an un-manageable task. If you didn't have three thermometers hooked up to one UTH, you would definitely not be aware of a 9* temperature difference between the highest temp, and the lowest.

Just relax, remove 2 of the thermometers, and enjoy your new snake.

 

[suecornish]

Ditto's for Sue.. *lol* I sure appreciate a little backing up once in while..



.

Regards.. Tim of T and J

I found that solution by necessity. Being new to snakes and their "stuff" I just bough an UTH; elavated the tank by two tiles high and put the mat under the tank being careful not to stick it on anything. Imanigne my concern when the temp rose to 120. I know have the tank elevated by about 2", have the tile on the UTH and a regulator. The temp runs 75 to 84 and I'm happy with that. The cool side is about 70 to 74 so Gaia can adjust where she wants to sleep. She'll go to the "hot" side just after eating and to the cool side a day or so before her next meal. She has me trained right.

Sometimes all that is needed is common sense and ingenuity.

 

[Hypancistrus]

So long as the temp isn't crazy high, I think the snake will thermoregulate himself. I agree with Ty. Take away two of the probes and don't worry so much- just enjoy your snake!!

 

[TandJ]

Sue mentioned the following...

Sometimes all that is needed is common sense and ingenuity

The whole point of the majority of responses.. Seems to be a theme running here and the concept was missed by a few...

Regards.. Tim of T and J

 

[TriggerHappy101]

I am stating a point that compared to my T-Rex heat mat that I have for my other Corn, the Exo Terra Heatwave is NOT nearly as stable. I can put the probe anywhere on the T-Rex and it will be about 1 or 2 degrees within anywhere on the mat. Not so for the Exo Terra.

All I was trying to do was even out the temps for the Exo Terra so its not such a dramatic change.

ou have it hooked up to a thermostat, according to your first post. So those are NOT the max temps, those are the thermostatically regulated temps.

Correct. The MAX because i have it limited.

The whole point of the majority of responses.. Seems to be a theme running here and the concept was missed by a few...
Regards.. Tim of T and J

Never reply to one of my posts ever again T and J. - Thank you.

So long as the temp isn't crazy high, I think the snake will thermoregulate himself. I agree with Ty. Take away two of the probes and don't worry so much- just enjoy your snake!!

And what if I DIDNT check the temp across the whole mat? What if I only used one thermometer and it read "78." So I bumped it up so it would read "86" in that spot. But 6 inches away the hotter spot on the matt would read 94 degrees. I would of never known the irregular temperature difference and the snakes health could be in trouble.

 

[tyflier]

I am stating a point that compared to my T-Rex heat mat that I have for my other Corn, the Exo Terra Heatwave is NOT nearly as stable. I can put the probe anywhere on the T-Rex and it will be about 1 or 2 degrees within anywhere on the mat. Not so for the Exo Terra.

All I was trying to do was even out the temps for the Exo Terra so its not such a dramatic change.



Correct. The MAX because i have it limited.



Never reply to one of my posts ever again T and J. - Thank you.



And what if I DIDNT check the temp across the whole mat? What if I only used one thermometer and it read "78." So I bumped it up so it would read "86" in that spot. But 6 inches away the hotter spot on the matt would read 94 degrees. I would of never known the irregular temperature difference and the snakes health could be in trouble.

First of all, a 1"X1" square section of heat mat measuring 94*F is DEFINITELY NOT going to be dtrimental or damaging to your snake. Again...you are WAY over-analyzing the siutaion. IF that small section of heat mat were too high...your snake would move. Period. Plain and simple.

What you don't seem to be understanding is the simple fact that heat dissipates over distance. I don't care what company makes your heat mat, if you have three different thermometers hooked up to it, you will find variations in the temperatures between the thermometers. This can be attributed to variances in the mat itself, variances in the thermometers, variances in your thermostat, and/or a combination of those factors.

Your attitude toward TandJ is uncalled for. He has done nothing but try to be helpful in this topic, and you have insulted him from his first response.

Quite frankly, if you don't want people to tell you that you are being overly anal-retentive about your temperatures and your heat mat, you shouldn't post such a beligerent comment about a well-respected(for good reason) company over something that is so benign as to not even be worth mentioning.

If you had only applied one thermometer to your mat(as most sane people do), you would not have noticed any 6-9* variations, and I would be willing to bet that your corn snake would have been just as happy. Instead, you go completely overboard by using 3 thermometers, and then you beligerently and vehemently refuse to accept anyone else's opinion, refuse to acknowledge that what you are doing is unnescessary and simply "micro-managing", and complain about the company that made the mat, when your experience is clearly and completely over the top.

I suggest you take a step back, re-assess exactly what it is that you have such a HUGE problem with, and WHY it is such a huge problem for you...instead of coming on here, spouting off about something that is utterly unimportant and anal-retentive, and insulting people that are only trying to help.

 

[Fizzlefry22]

First of all, a 1"X1" square section of heat mat measuring 94*F is DEFINITELY NOT going to be dtrimental or damaging to your snake. Again...you are WAY over-analyzing the siutaion. IF that small section of heat mat were too high...your snake would move. Period. Plain and simple.

What you don't seem to be understanding is the simple fact that heat dissipates over distance. I don't care what company makes your heat mat, if you have three different thermometers hooked up to it, you will find variations in the temperatures between the thermometers. This can be attributed to variances in the mat itself, variances in the thermometers, variances in your thermostat, and/or a combination of those factors.

Your attitude toward TandJ is uncalled for. He has done nothing but try to be helpful in this topic, and you have insulted him from his first response.

Quite frankly, if you don't want people to tell you that you are being overly anal-retentive about your temperatures and your heat mat, you shouldn't post such a beligerent comment about a well-respected(for good reason) company over something that is so benign as to not even be worth mentioning.

If you had only applied one thermometer to your mat(as most sane people do), you would not have noticed any 6-9* variations, and I would be willing to bet that your corn snake would have been just as happy. Instead, you go completely overboard by using 3 thermometers, and then you beligerently and vehemently refuse to accept anyone else's opinion, refuse to acknowledge that what you are doing is unnescessary and simply "micro-managing", and complain about the company that made the mat, when your experience is clearly and completely over the top.

I suggest you take a step back, re-assess exactly what it is that you have such a HUGE problem with, and WHY it is such a huge problem for you...instead of coming on here, spouting off about something that is utterly unimportant and anal-retentive, and insulting people that are only trying to help.

I couldn't have stated my opinions any better had I tried. :cheers:

 

[TandJ]

You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to tyflier again.


Added the following..


Anyways, I don't take things to personal most of the time.. Its all good, I understand he is a young feller yet, so I don't get offended by elevated hormone levels..


Regards.. Tim of T and J

 

[TriggerHappy101]

First of all, a 1"X1" square section of heat mat measuring 94*F is DEFINITELY NOT going to be dtrimental or damaging to your snake. Again...you are WAY over-analyzing the siutaion. IF that small section of heat mat were too high...your snake would move. Period. Plain and simple.

I never said it was a square inch, in fact it is about 65% of a 11" by 17" inch heat mat that has abnormally high temps compared to the rest of the mat.

Also - being that the hatchling is pretty much small enough to FIT its majority of its body inside of a "1inch by 1inch square" it could be detrimental to its health.

On a more obvious note: Corn snakes aren't that good when regulating their own temperature (moving to a cooler place). How many time have you seen and heard of snakes willing wrapping themselves around heat bulbs and burning themselves to an extent where their owners have to PEAL them off the bulb. They can't tell the difference between "warm" and "scale burning hot"... Why do you think my corn will be any different?

What you don't seem to be understanding is the simple fact that heat dissipates over distance. I don't care what company makes your heat mat, if you have three different thermometers hooked up to it, you will find variations in the temperatures between the thermometers. This can be attributed to variances in the mat itself, variances in the thermometers, variances in your thermostat, and/or a combination of those factors.

Like I said, when grouped together all thermometers read the SAME temp. There are no differences between the three. So it’s only attributed to variances in the heat mat itself. WHICH IS WHY I WROTE THIS POST. Saying I am disappointed in the Exo Terra Heat Mats because of this large variance in temp. and would like some help on what to do.

Your attitude toward TandJ is uncalled for. He has done nothing but try to be helpful in this topic, and you have insulted him from his first response.

You obviously did not hear the conversation he has had toward, me and his blantently rude remarks he has made about me in the chatroom. I did not insult him.
Read:

Why must you continually be malicious? I don't appreciate your rude and unsettling demeanor both in the live chat and on the forum.

All I did was ask a valid question and I would expect a valid answer without your attitude.

Did I insult him? No - but he has and so have you. Calling me an "Overly anal-retentive" is very very mature tyflier.

Quite frankly, if you don't want people to tell you that you are being overly anal-retentive about your temperatures and your heat mat, you shouldn't post such a beligerent comment about a well-respected(for good reason) company over something that is so benign as to not even be worth mentioning.

I have many decorative products (and water dishes) from Exo Terra and I do agree they make good decorations. However, decorations don't jepordise the HEALTH and wellbeing of my corn snake. The heatmat is probably the most important item you can have (next to proper hides.) Why would it NOT be worth mentioning that it completely sucks at doing the one task it is suppose to do? Put off a constant even heat to the underside of the viv. You allegiance toward Exo Terra is unsettlingly.

If you had only applied one thermometer to your mat(as most sane people do), you would not have noticed any 6-9* variations, and I would be willing to bet that your corn snake would have been just as happy. Instead, you go completely overboard by using 3 thermometers, and then you beligerently and vehemently refuse to accept anyone else's opinion, refuse to acknowledge that what you are doing is unnescessary and simply "micro-managing", and complain about the company that made the mat, when your experience is clearly and completely over the top.

Oh - now I am INSANE to want the best possible health for my new cornsnake? Oh how DARE I, be so mean, stupid, irresponsible, in-humane, person to want to have my snake be healthy! Someone should call the cops on me for abusing my cornsnake!

I did not APPLY 3 thermometers to the viv, I only applied 1. The other two I only used for a day to make sure the temps are correct and then I took them out. (All before the snake even came.)

Its "happiness" is irrelevant, I want her to be healthy and if that means I have to make sure her heat mat temperature is at an optimal level, so be it! (As I have never seen a snake who is “sad” or “happy”)

I accepted everyones opinion on how to fix the situation. I even put a tile under the heater as TandJ has suggested (as did other posters.) I even posted back several times saying it helped a little.

And yes – I am micro-managing the temperatures. Do you think the cornsnake is going to say “Hey! big guy outside my cage, it’s a little HOT/cold in here, could you turn up/down the thermostat?” NO. That’s why I wanted to set it at the correct temperature and have my thermostat take care of it and only have to check it once awhile to make sure its still in check.

and complain about the company that made the mat

I’m sorry sir, but I did not make this post nor did I ever “complain” about the company. I simply stated that I have a problem and I would like ideas on how to fix it. I did not ransack Exo Terra in anyway so YOU can stop being so defensive about Exo Terra. Once again, I asked for help. I did not say “EXO TERRA SUCKS! DON’T BUY IT.”

I suggest you take a step back, re-assess exactly what it is that you have such a HUGE problem with, and WHY it is such a huge problem for you...instead of coming on here, spouting off about something that is utterly unimportant and anal-retentive, and insulting people that are only trying to help.

I suggest YOU take a step back and assess that I made this post to get a resolution to my problem.
I have such a “huge” problem because I want to do as much as I can to insure my snake has the best care possible? Is that SO bad? How dare I be such a bad snake owner!

Instead you should be asking YOURSELF why you are yelling and attacking me for caring about my snake.

Thank you for wasting the last 15 minutes it took me to reply to your flame post toward me.

Am I such a bad person?
:shrugs:

 

[suecornish]

Triggerhappy101

There are times on this site when the question you (collectively-not personally) will ask a question or make a statement that will set someone off on a tangent. Call it emotional baggage, bad day, even worse night-whatever. Sometimes the best response is no response. Sometimes the best way to deal with a problem is to sit back and examine the problem.

Some of us are anal-retentive. You (personally-not collectively) are and so am I with some things. The best way to handle that comment is to "thank you" and then drop it.

Let me bore you with my episode of UTH problems. I did not know I needed a regulator on it. I put it under Gaia's tank and check every so often. I got involved with something and when I check the temp was 120*. I though I had cooked poor Gaia. Where was she, under the water dish far away from the heater.

Gaia is 35g now and I don't feel the need to have a UTH under her tank. I read where UTH to help with digestion is only needed for power feeding and that I don't do. I bought two babies Saturday and felt that, until they get bigger, I'll use the UTH under their show boxes. I kept checking the temps again which stayed between 75*-80*. I got home from work at lunch time and the temps were 95*. De ja vu-cooking my babies again. Well, they are fine.

The moral of the story - don't judge your corn snake by what others do. They are like people - each one different. Just make sure that you have a cool end and a warm end and see what your snake does. It may surprise you and be smarter than you could ever imangine.

And remember, it's emotional hard trying to defend everything you do and say. Sometimes it is worth it and sometimes not. Learn to pick your battles.

 

[susang]

I understand your worry about the heat, and yes snakes can get burned on heating pads and lights. But a snake can't get burned on light and "peeled" off it the light is placed properly on the outside of the viv. They can get burned on UTH if is placed inside of the tank and not under or on the outside of the viv. I only have six corns to go by, but they seem to find the place they are comfortable as Sue said. Some of mine stay on the cool side and some on the warm. It would be nice for you and your snake if you stop and enjoy your snake. Please don't take this as a flame, but with all your worry you will not have time to enjoy. susang

 

[tyflier]

This is really quite entertaining...

If the "hot spot" on your heat mat is a full 65% of the mat's surface area...why not set your thermostat probe to the "hot spot" and forget about it?

First-I didn't call YOU anal-retentive, I said the activity was anal-retentive...which it is. I am also very anal-retentive in certain activities regarding the upkeep of my snakes...I believe that everyone involved in this hobby MUST be to a certain extent. It is the nature of the beast.

Second-I(and several others) started out giving you our personal opinions of the situation, to which you took offense, and insisted that our opinions were wrong, and yours was right. It seemed from the outset that your only intention was to complain about the percieved "poor quality" of the mat, and not to get solutions, advice, or input on the situation. You certainly didn't seem to be accepting of ANY opinions outside of your own. Anyone that claimed you might be over-analyzing was immediately met with comments such as your response to my bad typing:

83-95? Are you trying to cook your snake?

Your response to the suggestion that you simply remove 2 of the three thermometers, and allow the snake to use it's natural, innate, and instinctive ability to detect thermal gradients:

And what if I DIDNT check the temp across the whole mat? What if I only used one thermometer and it read "78." So I bumped it up so it would read "86" in that spot. But 6 inches away the hotter spot on the matt would read 94 degrees. I would of never known the irregular temperature difference and the snakes health could be in trouble.

And I won't even get into how inapprpriate some of your responses to TandJ are...regardless of a different conversation in a different location with him. He was STILL only trying to help you here...which is why I accentuated "in this topic" when I originally made the comment.

The bottom line is that there were several people, including myself, who were very nicely and very simply(not to mention politely) trying to help you and provide you with more accurate information than you were displaying. When we informed you that it wasn't a big deal, you informed us that 93*F was going to kill your snake(wrong). When we informed you that you were worrying about something that you needn't be, you informed us that it was a health risk(wrong). When I informed you that variances in any and/or all of the equipment combined would account for a mere 9* variation, you reacted with:

I am stating a point that compared to my T-Rex heat mat that I have for my other Corn, the Exo Terra Heatwave is NOT nearly as stable. I can put the probe anywhere on the T-Rex and it will be about 1 or 2 degrees within anywhere on the mat. Not so for the Exo Terra.

All I was trying to do was even out the temps for the Exo Terra so its not such a dramatic change.

Again...9* is NOT a big deal...especially after considering the NEW information that the "hotspot" is a full 65% of the mat's surface area, and the fact that a thermal gradient is something to be strived for, not fought against. (not to mention the very nature of heat mats and the dissipation of heat by physical properties and out of necessity )

I could care less which heat mats you use, how you attach them, or what methoids you use to micro-manage your snake's environment. It's your snake, dude...do whatever you want. If you want 7 heat mats, 7 thermostats, and 24 thermometers strewn across the bottom of a 20L aquarium so you can be absolutely sure that your snake isn't too hot or too cold at any given time of day...go for it. I (and several others), were very simply(and politely, I might add) informing you that it was unnecessary, the temperatures were ALL within acceptable "hot side" ranges, and that you should just relax and enjoy your snake...which seems to be a very reasonable response for us to have had to this topic, if you ask me.

Unfortunately, you didn't want to hear that. You wanted us to provide you with a means by which you could manage your heat mat down to a 1* difference at all times, and quite frankly...I don't think such a situation exists.

Whatever you want to do, dude...it's your snake and your headache. The bottom line is simply this: if your hot side is between 80-88*F, and your enclosure is of appropriate size for your snake...you won't be risking your snakes health in the slightest. If your hot side temps occasionally reach 90*F or slightly higher for several hours during the day...your snake will STILL not be at risk, so long as there is a nighttime drop and a full water dish.

Someone said to pick your battles...quite simply...this topic needn't have become a battle. You could have either accepted the general consensus that your micro-management was unnecessary and moved on, or you could have ignored us and found your own way(you said yourself the tile was working...what's the problem?) Nobody needed to get all riled up about anything...and you are the only one I see getting bunched about the waist. When faced with opinions and facts that were different than your own, and those you believed to be true(mistakenly), you overreacted...just like you overreacted to a 9* difference in a mechanical heat mat... :shrugs:

 

[TriggerHappy101]

Oh. By the way. I forgot to add on that last post I made, that I won't be reading anyone else's replies to this thread.

So whatever you wrote I did not read it.