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Temp difference

Stefanie

Stefanie

New member
Hey allmighty knowing forum folks =)

I'm sorry, I'm clueless. I've set up the tank today. Plugged the heatmat into the thermostat (Hydrofarm) and stuck the probe in the tank onto the glass above the UTI. I covered it all up with about 2 inch of Aspen and - out of curiousity - placed a Thermometer probe into the hide which I sat on top of the aspen / on top of the UTI.

The Thermostat varies between 82°F and 85°F (I've set it to 83°F) which is perfect, no? But the thermometer in the WARM hide *only* reads 77°F.

Now I wonder if the Aspen will just "block" the heat so much that the hide doesn't really get warm, or if the whole set up will need some more time to establish itself?
I turned it all on about 3 hours ago.
Will the Aspen heat up within a day or so and warm the hide?
Or does the snake HAVE to burrow in order to get the right heat?
Should I turn the Thermostat up a degree or two?

Thanks - once again - for your input!
 
Maybe decrease the aspen to only 1" of cover? My snake sometimes buries his head in his bedding, but he seems to prefer his actual hides instead of burrowing under the aspen. Unless your snake spends a lot of time digging around in there he would probably be just as happy with 1" of aspen and that should help some of the heat get transferred up.

Maybe you could also try to place the hide almost directly against the base of the tank (with a couple sheets of newspaper too if you have a glass bottom which could get too hot on accident) that way he can go into his hide to warm up, and still have a ton of aspen to burrow around in
 
I use a UTH (Repti Therm) on my 10 gal for my corn snake. With the UTH I use a rheostat/dimmer switch I got from lowes. I have two thermometers. One on the hot side and one on the cool side. There is about 1 1/2 to 2 inches of aspen in his tank. What I did was bury the probe for the "outdoor" temp in the aspen about half way down for both sides and adjust the rheostat until the temps were right. My corn has never be burned and routinely goes from hot side to cold side and back again throughout the day. He also likes to burrow just as much as use his hides. I clean his tank and in one night there are caves all through his bedding. I think he is part ground hog or something. :D

I have never had my probe directly against the glass on the bottom of the tank and it has never caused any problems. :)
 
So Grankin, what you're saying is that it's ok for the temp of the UTH / top of glass to be a -little- higher to raise the temps in the aspen and the warm hide?

I've glued the probe of the thermometer next to the probe of the thermostat directly above the UTH mostly because i wanted to be able to tell quickly if the thermostat is failing, so I think I'll leave it there.
However, maybe I should also keep the thermometer in the warm hide to see the difference?

Gosh, so many gadgets! LOL!
 
I think, generally what people say is that the temperature at the bottom of the surface of the tank, above the UTH, needs to be 85F. As long as he can reach that area, it doesn't matter what the temperature is on the surface. You could make the aspen more shallow, if you want to.. but the snake will definitely burrow when he needs to. :)
 
I haven't tried it that way but I've seen alot of people follow that school of thought. Do whatever works for you and once you get it down pat stick with it. :) I have never had a problem with my setup though. My snake just likes it the way I do it.

Watch your little guy and see what he tells you and go from there. If he spends too much time on the cold side its probably too hot and vice versa. If he is constantly soaking in his water dish try to raise the humidity or give him a humid hide. They really do tell you alot if you can learn how to listen to them. :)
 
I measure the heat on the glass, inside the viv, in the center of the UTH. If it's ~85 there, no matter what you have for substrate, the snakes can get there'd and be happy if they want to.
 
Thanks ladies & gentlemen!

I'm still in the process of making things JUST RIGHT and waiting until after our Family trip out of state until we introduce this new member to our family. I'll get the baby beginning of August.

Right now I'm running around frantically setting everything up PERFECTLY so she'll feel right at home. I want her to be comfortable and happy with her new family /blush

So until she gets here I'll just wait, and then watch her settle in and tell me what she needs. Thanks ya'll <3
 
Nanci said:
I measure the heat on the glass, inside the viv, in the center of the UTH. If it's ~85 there, no matter what you have for substrate, the snakes can get there'd and be happy if they want to.
Click to expand...

This is exactly what I do with great results, although I shoot for about 87. I don't think there is any practical difference.

If you have access to view the bottom, you will see your snake adjusting itself as digestion progresses. Typically, mine will plant it's belly right on the glass immediately after eating. It will then move slowly "up and over" during the next few days. It's amazing to watch the precision of the whole affair...
 
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