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Matstat here now, a few questions please.

J

Jazzik

New member
Hey guys,

As I said before I had ordered a MatStat to help with my heating issues, I've since removed the heatbulb and also fitted a humidity monitor.

I connected up the mat stat, and it seems to be working correctly. Please bear in mind that the HeatMat is under some plywood but inside the Viv.

I have a wooden viv so I couldnt connect the UTH outside the viv and had to put it inside, I was concerned that it would get too hot for my snake so I pinned it down with ply.

I have covered the ply approximately 2 inches deep in substrate and obviously none of the heat seems to be reaching the surface. My snake never seems to actually "burrow" under the substrate and seems happy enough to just sit on his self most of the time, doesnt even bother hiding for the most part.

Firstly, my humidity seems to be at about 65 so I've taken the waterbowl off of the heatmat, and as I said added more substrate. My main question here is would it be ok to remove the ply from the bottom of the Viv so that some of the warmth from the UTH can reach the surface of the substrate or am I better to leave it in this situation.

Alternatively, I can move the sensor for the Matstat (currently under all the substrate and obviously getting hotter than the surface) to the surface so that it heats that side of the viv in its entirity.

A little guidance from the seasoned veterans would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.
 
I guess I could also remove some of the substrate so its not quite so deep.

I'm kinda over zealous I see people with perfect temps and I just dont seem to be achieving what is deemed to be "right".

Dont get me wrong, he doesnt seem unhappy, sheds and eats just fine, but I do want it to be perfect for him. After all, hes moved home.... got a new dad, and must have been an unsettling time for the poor fella.

Before hand, he never had a heatmat, a bulb and no amusement to speak of, branches and things are all a new experience for him, he didnt even have a choice of hides.
 
Instead of using plywood over the heat mat…I would recommend a ceramic floor tile. It will actually allow you to lower the temperature of your heat mat a bit since the ceramic will conduct the heat more efficiently than the plywood ever will.

As far as you humidity goes, 65% seems a bit high for normal, everyday living…during shedding 65% would be fine. I would try to lower it a tad by adding more ventilation to your enclosure.

Alternatively, I can move the sensor for the Matstat (currently under all the substrate and obviously getting hotter than the surface) to the surface so that it heats that side of the viv in its entirity.
Click to expand...

Keep your thermostat probe on the hottest part in your enclosure and that your snake could come in contact with. Your snake will find the right temperature to suit his needs. The last thing you want to do is have the top of the substrate be 85 degrees, only to find your het mat running at 92 (for example) degrees.

Regards,
Steve
 
Thanks, ill look into getting the ply out and replacing it asap.

Do you think that my substrate is too deep? Im using basically woodchip with my corn and the heat doesnt seem to be getting through it, its about 2inches deep, I've thinned it out down the warm end though but I thought it would be nice for him to have some depth to actually burrow if he chose to.
 
Do you think that my substrate is too deep?
Click to expand...

2 inches is fine...you should be good to go.

Don't worry about getting the top of the substrate perfect...your snake will find the temperature it needs to be happy.

Personally, I run my UTH at 88 degrees "on the glass"...Roxanne will occasionally burrow, which if fine but at 88 degrees to top of my substrate is a degree or two warmer without risking her burning herself on a UTH that is too warm.

Regards,
Steve
 
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