Hi all!! We just got our second snake (first is a Ball Python and now we have an albino corn snake) this past week and I'm having a hard time getting the temperature in his tank right... The warm side is fine set at about 81F with a heat lamp (60W blue day bulb) and under tank heater...but I'm having an issue getting the cool side low enough. I can't get it below 79F and it's very frustrating... My ball python has a nice 10 degree difference (different temps obviously)... Any suggestions? Thanks!!!
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Gradient temperature
- Thread starter Eiz3r
- Start date
Karl_Mcknight
Common Sense Holder
What is the temp in the room the cage is in?
The "Cool Side" of my cage seems to stay about 2 or 3 degrees warmer than my actual room temp. I keep my house temp at about 73, and right now the cool side temp is at 75.
Those "Heat Lamps" you are using tend to heat the whole cage. Most Corn Snake owners frown on heat lamps. We prefer to heat from under the cage. I'd be willing to bet if you turned off the heat lamp, the "Cool Side" temp would also drop. The trick is to get the Hot side to stay around 84 and the cool side to stay around 74. But if there is a few degrees difference either way it probably won't hurt.
The "Cool Side" of my cage seems to stay about 2 or 3 degrees warmer than my actual room temp. I keep my house temp at about 73, and right now the cool side temp is at 75.
Those "Heat Lamps" you are using tend to heat the whole cage. Most Corn Snake owners frown on heat lamps. We prefer to heat from under the cage. I'd be willing to bet if you turned off the heat lamp, the "Cool Side" temp would also drop. The trick is to get the Hot side to stay around 84 and the cool side to stay around 74. But if there is a few degrees difference either way it probably won't hurt.
I tried just doing the under tank heat pad but couldn't get it over 80 - it really just kept the whole tank at the same temp which is why I went with the heat lamp but id be more than happy to rethink that... The room is set at 75 with a Ceiling fan in the room... Also, if you don't do overhead lamps, how do you create a "daytime"? The natural light in the room is not the best...
Karl_Mcknight
Common Sense Holder
then you have a terrible Under Tank Heat source.
Mine puts out 113 degree heat. I had to put a Rheostat on it to get the temp down to 85.
Just out of curiosity where are you getting your temperature reading from? Are you using an infrared heat thermometer or a temperature probe and measuring the temperature directly on the Glass bottom of the cage above the heater? If not, I suggest you do so. That is where you measure the temp. Not on the side of the glass a foot from the bottom.
Mine puts out 113 degree heat. I had to put a Rheostat on it to get the temp down to 85.
Just out of curiosity where are you getting your temperature reading from? Are you using an infrared heat thermometer or a temperature probe and measuring the temperature directly on the Glass bottom of the cage above the heater? If not, I suggest you do so. That is where you measure the temp. Not on the side of the glass a foot from the bottom.
Karl_Mcknight
Common Sense Holder
Ooops- meant to also add-
How to create a "daytime light source" - Yes I have a light on a timer. It comes on at 6:00am and goes off at 6:00pm providing 12 hours of simulated daylight. However I do not use a "Heat Lamp" for this.
How to create a "daytime light source" - Yes I have a light on a timer. It comes on at 6:00am and goes off at 6:00pm providing 12 hours of simulated daylight. However I do not use a "Heat Lamp" for this.
Lol! That very well may be re: the under tank heat mat and those words (although not quite as nice) have come out of my mouth a couple times in the past few days... As for temperature readings, I have a gauge on each side (not digital or a probe) but only 3" off the bottom. Basically right on top of the bedding. I'm thinking its time to upgrade to a digital probe for each of my snakes... And great with daytime answer... I have a bulb I can use then that doesn't really output any extra heat... Thanks so much!!!
Dragonling
Doesn't do "casual"
:wavey: Welcome to the forum!
If you're using 3" of substrate (if your gauge is on top of it), that may be insulating the cage from the heat mat to some degree. You could reduce it over the UTH while leaving it thicker on the cool end to give your corn a place to burrow deep if he/she seems to enjoy it. (That's assuming this is an adult corn. If not consider going 1-1.5" deep, should still give plenty of room to burrow.) I'm really fond of my thermal gun and highly recommend one. There are some pretty inexpensive ones on Amazon.
If you're using 3" of substrate (if your gauge is on top of it), that may be insulating the cage from the heat mat to some degree. You could reduce it over the UTH while leaving it thicker on the cool end to give your corn a place to burrow deep if he/she seems to enjoy it. (That's assuming this is an adult corn. If not consider going 1-1.5" deep, should still give plenty of room to burrow.) I'm really fond of my thermal gun and highly recommend one. There are some pretty inexpensive ones on Amazon.
A heat matt doesn't raise the ambient temp, it just heats the surface it comes in contact with. Turn the heat lamp off, place your thermometer probe over the heat pad, directly on the bottom of the tank, under the substrate, THAT reading should be around 85*, that's all you need for the hot spot, corns prefer belly heat. Turn the lamp off, and your cool side should drop a few degrees, and you should be good to go.