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Trouble with heat/humidity...!

P

Prophecy

New member
I just got my first corn snake yesterday - it's a gorgeous snow corn.

I'm having trouble with the tank set-up though. I got a heat lamp and a heat mat with it, but when used together the tank gets to almost 40C. This is too hot right?

So I turned the lamp off, but with just using the heat mat a lone, the temp is only just above 20C (about 22C). A constant 25C would be optimum right?

So I have been using a small lamp and directing it onto the side of the warm side of the tank (outside the tank), but it doesn't seem to be making any difference.

What should I do?

I didn't like using the heat lamp also because I felt the snake could burn himself on it easily as it protrudes from the roof of the tank, so if you were to advise me to get a less powerful heat bulb, then I'll still be worried about that. Was thinking of covering it with mesh or something, but I think no matter how I do this he could potentially burn himself on that too!

Humidity is my other problem - the 'T-Rex' humidity gauge is at it's maximum. I have this gauge placed on the cool side. There is condensation forming over the sides and roof of the tank near the water bowl. :eek:

So - how can I keep an even balance between this? I'd like to lower my humidity, but also raise the temperature.

Thanks a lot for any help - I've done stacks of research on the upkeep, but I did not expect to encounter this problem!

Paul :)
 
Sorry, forgot to say...

It's another 'T-Rex' circular gauge that is stuck on to the back of the tank, about an inch or two higher than the level of substrate on the warm side.

I was reading a guide from here last night and I realise those types of gauges are not monitoring the substrate and therefore are not accurate.
 
Oh - and since last night when I turned the lamp off and those readings occured - he's actually been sitting in a hide on the cool side - would this indicate he is too warm? The warm side as I say was only about 22C so I wonder why he wasn't over there getting some warmth?

I don't know what the temperature is on the cool side - I'm buying a thermometer for that side today.
 
Yep, I have no idea why those gauges are sold, as they are useless. If you've got a Maplins near you they do a digital in/out thermometer and hygrometer for under £20.
If the heatmat is unregulated and not controlled by a thermostat it could easily burn your snake. The ambiant (air) temp should be fine if your house is comfortable for you. The humidity could be high because the temperature is high enough to cause the condensation.
 
How big is the heat mat compared to the size of the bottom of the tank? It should cover about 1/3.
 
Prophecy said:
Oh - and since last night when I turned the lamp off and those readings occured - he's actually been sitting in a hide on the cool side - would this indicate he is too warm? The warm side as I say was only about 22C so I wonder why he wasn't over there getting some warmth?

I don't know what the temperature is on the cool side - I'm buying a thermometer for that side today.
Click to expand...
Yep, the heatmat could be far too high without a thermostat regardless of what the 'insert cursing' themometer gauge reads
 
diamondlil said:
Yep, I have no idea why those gauges are sold, as they are useless. If you've got a Maplins near you they do a digital in/out thermometer and hygrometer for under £20.
If the heatmat is unregulated and not controlled by a thermostat it could easily burn your snake. The ambiant (air) temp should be fine if your house is comfortable for you. The humidity could be high because the temperature is high enough to cause the condensation.
Click to expand...

So possibly the temperature at the moment is actually too high? As in maybe more like 30C than the reading of 22C?

My heatmat is an 'Ultra-Therm'. It doesn't mention about a regulated output, but I guessed all were. The room often gets colder at night, down to about 16C sometimes.

I will head over to Maplins today.
 
Would this be the thermometer/hygrometer you're talking about?

n18fr.jpg
 
(Although i should point out that one doesnt measure humidity so isn't ideal just gives you an idea of what your looking for, you need one that measures indoor and outdoor temp's - so has a probe)
 
Mr.AJ said:
(Although i should point out that one doesnt measure humidity so isn't ideal just gives you an idea of what your looking for, you need one that measures indoor and outdoor temp's - so has a probe)
Click to expand...

Why should I need to measure the temperature outside the tank?
 
Your not measuring the temp outside the tank, You just need an indoor/outdoor thermo because those are the ones with the probe.

You place the body of the thermo attached to the glass on the inside of the viv, this measures the ambient air (Not really important, but nice to know) and the humidity and you place the probe over the heatmat so that it measures the temp of that. Set it to 'outdoor' mode to see the heatmats temperature.
 
diamondlil said:
This is the model I use actually. :)
http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx...in&U=SearchTop&T=digital thermometer&doy=18m1
I like the max/min temp feature, it really helped when I was setting up my incubator last year
Click to expand...

I'm just home from buying that one!

So let me clarify - I have set the main body outside the tank, and the probe is inside, over the heat mat lying on the substrate. That it?

I also got a thermostat for the heat mat, and while I was buying it in a reptile shop, the guy tol me I should only have the heat mat on at night, and the heat lamp should be on during the day. I think I've heard from various sites to keep the mat on 24/7 though...!
 
Can't seem to edit that last post...

I have reread your post and understand - I will stick the main unit to inside the tank and have the little sensor over the awrm side on the substrate.
 
How deep is your substrate? corn snakes love to burrow so I find it better to put the probe right on the glass or plastic UNDER the substrate, right over the center of the UTH. That way you can measure the hottest point the snake can reach to make sure it is safe.
Put a thin layer of substrate over the UTH, and if he wants it warmer he can burrow down or move the substrate aside.
 
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