Okay i got kind of a heating problem here

[Kalob_Foret]

Okay so i am new to these forums and to reptiles as pets, so my warm side and cool side stay around the same temp is that okay? (ex: most of the time my warm side is 85 cool is like 80.) And do corn snakes absolutely need uvb bulbs? because if i leave mine on my tank reaches like 90 degrees which is from what ive read too hot. so should i just not turn on the uvb bulb and leave my undertank heater on?

 

[Haarstad]

It will be fine as long as your cool side does not get above 80 and as long as your warm side doesn't get above 90 (preferably stays around 85)

You do not need any bulb, they don't need back heat like that and they do not really benefit from the UVB. A Under Tank Heating Mat is the best heater but you need a thermostat or rheostat for it so it doesn't get any hotter that 90.

You need to check the temp right next to the UTH (under the substrate and on top of the glass over the UTH), I bet it is way too hot and that could burn your snake

 

[Old_School]

Okay so i am new to these forums and to reptiles as pets, so my warm side and cool side stay around the same temp is that okay? (ex: most of the time my warm side is 85 cool is like 80.) And do corn snakes absolutely need uvb bulbs? because if i leave mine on my tank reaches like 90 degrees which is from what ive read too hot. so should i just not turn on the uvb bulb and leave my undertank heater on?

Corn snakes do not need lighting..no uvb bulbs..just natural room lighting.
your temps are perfect...do not worry. I keep my corns/snake room at 82 degrees. my Corns, Hognose and other colubrids do very well at that temp. They eat, digest, shed and breed at 82 degrees no problems at all.
BTW, welcome to the site. :santa:

 

[Kalob_Foret]

Okay thank you for the help.

 

[Kronos]

In addition to not needing an additional light source, they probably don't like it either. When I first got my snakes I used a light during the day to provide warmth, and I never saw my snakes. Then when I removed it, they seemed to become more active right away. Plus, as someone else mentioned, they can easily overheat the entire viv.

 

[Kalob_Foret]

In addition to not needing an additional light source, they probably don't like it either. When I first got my snakes I used a light during the day to provide warmth, and I never saw my snakes. Then when I removed it, they seemed to become more active right away. Plus, as someone else mentioned, they can easily overheat the entire viv.

i left my lamp off all day today and when i got home my snake was out and about so i think this may be true

 

[ratsnakehaven]

i left my lamp off all day today and when i got home my snake was out and about so i think this may be true

Corn snakes are crepuscular in the wild = active late afternoon and early morning. Is your tank bt. 80-85*F. day and night? If a little cooler at night, they will probably be more active in the evenings; and that would be a good time to observe them, feed them, etc.

 

[Dreamsnake]

I believe petstores push for uvb bulbs and the like to boost sales. It is one of the more popular questions for new snake owners. Welcome to the site and the hobby.

 

[bitsy]

I believe petstores push for uvb bulbs and the like to boost sales.

I've often thought it's weird how they want to sell unecessary UV lights but never vital thermostats/rheostats! I'm sure they could make the same money by recommending the proper kit.

 

[AlexEarl]

bitsy is absolutely right, i have asked my reptile shop many times if i need a thermostat with my heat matt and they have said no. yet with one of my heat matts (the largest one) i have had 2 massive increases in heat (going as high as 104f) and found my poor snake in his water bowl on the cool side. luckily i caught it early both times and added more substrate (as im too poor at the minute to buy a thermostat) but as its christmas soon i am definitely investing in some thermostats

 

[Kalob_Foret]

I think i need to invest in one of these thermostats because i had to add more bedding because of the temp being high

 

[bitsy]

If you add more bedding it will create an insulating effect and the mat will get even hotter. Ideally you need to try and get some airflow over the mat surface to try and get the temp down, while you save for the thermostat. Some makes/models of UTH can easily reach 120 degrees without, which is way too hot for Corns.

 

[Kronos]

Probably even more important is to make sure the viv is elevated a little to allow some air flow under the tank. This will allow some of the excess heat to dissipate. The UTHs I use come with little rubber "feet" to attach, but I don't think it's enough. I'm using 4 cheap plastic bracelets under each tank to raise it up about 1/2 or 3/4 inch.

 

[ratsnakehaven]

If you add more bedding it will create an insulating effect and the mat will get even hotter. Ideally you need to try and get some airflow over the mat surface to try and get the temp down, while you save for the thermostat. Some makes/models of UTH can easily reach 120 degrees without, which is way too hot for Corns.

I noticed early on that it would get too hot when using the heat mats on a solid surface, so I've avoided solid surfaces for my tanks when using the UTH's. I only use them with the rack system, where the excess heat could escape through the bottom of the mat....

Of course that's just me. I never had any help with this when I was getting started a few yrs. ago. I never had the need for extra heat until I got a corn snake. The few times I didn't brumate I used overhead lamps to help heat the cages in winter only. Old school isn't always the best way, I'm learning.

PS: You've guys have got me thinking about thermostats, etc. Maybe I'll get converted, yet, hahah!

Terry :santa: