UTH Install Questions

[Rowdyrod44]

I've searched for answers elsewhere, no luck so here are my questions, sorry if I'm being repetitious.
Questions.....
Got UTH, it sticks to bottom outside of tank. I'm using aspen substrate. UTH directions say to not allow snake to come in contact with glass above the UTH. So question 1 is do I need to do this. I know my snake likes to burrow under the substrate and though I will continually monitor the temps, of course i don't want to burn Tully Mars, my snake. If so, I have reptile carpet i can cut to size but how do I anchor that so Tully Mars doesn't get under that? Is tape such as duct tape, or maybe electrical ok to use?

If tape is ok to use, question 2 is answered. But here goes anyway. I have a combo indoor outdoor thermometer that also takes a humidity reading. Main unit takes "indoor temp" on cool side, probe on 10 ft. cord takes temp on warm side. I figure to put the probe on top of the carpet if used (glass if not) and run the cord out of the enclosure to keep excess cable out of the way, then back into the enclosure to the main unit, and velcro the main unit somewhere visible so I can monitor temps. If not tape, how do i keep Tully Mars free of the probe cable when he burrows?

I know questions 3, 4, 5........will follow shortly.

I hope this makes some sort of sense. Your advice will be appreciated!

Thanks...

 

[Feuerhak]

On all four of my tanks, I leave the whole thermometer unit inside the tank. The cord runs underneath the substrate, and I tack down the probe to the glass center of the UTH with some first aid tape. The tape doesn't have to be super sticky, it's just to keep the probe in place. The extra cord is wrapped tight with a twist tie. The snakes are 19g, 54g, 106g, and 420g, and I've not had any problems with them getting caught up in the cord; if they run into an obstacle, they go around it.

 

[Rich in KY]

I've searched for answers elsewhere, no luck so here are my questions, sorry if I'm being repetitious.
Questions.....
Got UTH, it sticks to bottom outside of tank. I'm using aspen substrate. UTH directions say to not allow snake to come in contact with glass above the UTH. So question 1 is do I need to do this. I know my snake likes to burrow under the substrate and though I will continually monitor the temps, of course i don't want to burn Tully Mars, my snake. If so, I have reptile carpet i can cut to size but how do I anchor that so Tully Mars doesn't get under that? Is tape such as duct tape, or maybe electrical ok to use?

First, you should use a thermostat, or some other device to regulate the temp of the UTH. This is the most important thing when using a heat source.

Next, aspen is perfect. Corn snakes love to burrow. No matter what you try your snake will eventually come in contact with the glass directly above the UTH. That is why the regulation is a must.

If tape is ok to use, question 2 is answered. But here goes anyway. I have a combo indoor outdoor thermometer that also takes a humidity reading. Main unit takes "indoor temp" on cool side, probe on 10 ft. cord takes temp on warm side. I figure to put the probe on top of the carpet if used (glass if not) and run the cord out of the enclosure to keep excess cable out of the way, then back into the enclosure to the main unit, and velcro the main unit somewhere visible so I can monitor temps. If not tape, how do i keep Tully Mars free of the probe cable when he burrows?

The only tape you should ever use near your snake is a low adhesive tape. The blue painters tape you get at any home improvement store will be ok. This is what I use to keep the probe in place. Duct tape or electrical tape is very dangerous around snakes.

I know questions 3, 4, 5........will follow shortly.

I hope this makes some sort of sense. Your advice will be appreciated!

Thanks...

 

[Rowdyrod44]

Thanks for the advice and info.
I do have a dimmer switch I'm using to control temp though I'm second guessing myself for going to the UTH from the basking light. I understand they need belly heat, but the surface temps when taking readings with my Tempgun were staying right at 85 degrees. Cooler side was steady at about 75. I had that set to go on at 7am and off at 8:30 daily and seemed to be working well. Good for me, but possibly not our snake. So, advice taken and we'll see how the UTH works.

I'm curious as to why tape is dangerous.

That said, how about just leaving the cord loose? The probe itself had a strong adhesive that will hold it in place I'm sure. I used the clear medical tape to anchor the probe wire from probe to edge of enclosure and up the side, it looks nice but it looks like I'll be removing that too and probably going to the low adhesive you suggested Rich. I'm worried about the snake and loose wires and also how things in the enclosure look though I know the snake could care less about looks. :bang: <=== is how i feel at the moment, it seems like just when I get things figured out....I've haven't got a clue.

 

[Rowdyrod44]

Photo of my enclosure prior to installing UTH etc.. It's a 20L. I use the UVB florescent only when I need to look inside for a minute or two.

 

[Rowdyrod44]

Here is a photo of Capt'n Kirk our snake, and a few of it's enclosure with the tape. Do you think I can leave the tape I have on the sides and just replace the same tape that is on the probe cable under the substrate? I'm heading out in a minute to look for low adhesive tape... The temp on the UTH side seems to be raising slowly. The humidity is low for sure, I've the enclosure and will do it a couple times a day. Not much humidity here in AZ at the moment. We will spend the summer in San Diego which will pose new issues for Capt'n Kirk and our Bearded Dragons. Much cooler and more humid in the beach area for sure.

 

[Arbitr]

I tacked down my thermostat and thermometer probes with hot glue, dries hard and no sticky stuff to worry about

 

[Sinsational]

This is why electrical tape is bad: http://www.cornsnakes.com/forums/showthread.php?t=97467&highlight=electrical+tape
Leaving the cord loose sounds fine to me
Very cute snake

 

[Rowdyrod44]

This is why electrical tape is bad: http://www.cornsnakes.com/forums/showthread.php?t=97467&highlight=electrical+tape
Leaving the cord loose sounds fine to me
Very cute snake

Thanks! No tape for my enclosure. Learned a lot from that link! I'm having problems getting used to the idea of loose wires under the substrate and along the sides of the enclosure, I guess I'll have to deal with it!

 

[ceduke]

Slightly off topic, lovely little classic corn you have!

 

[Rowdyrod44]

Ok. I've got the UTH in, no tape involved. Problem is I'm having trouble balancing the temp. I started low and it didn't heat, then gradually moved up and at one point it got to 120F, which would be the reading on the glass. The top of the substrate temp was about 83 using my tempgun. I now have the setting at 104.5 and not sure what temp of substrate is right now while I'm at work. It seems even a minute change in the dimmer switch can cause a hugh increase or decrease in temps. Question is, will the snake avoid the high heat below the substrate and stay in his cozy 83-85 degree hide on that side. He was hanging out in there when the temp was 120 below!

Good news, he ate a small pinky last night (first meal in the week we've had him), refused a second one. I know he needs larger prey as that pinky hardly showed up as a bump at all. What is next, small fuzzies?

G'day all.

 

[cornsnakes101]

-BUMP-​

Im experiencing the same problem as well can anyone answer this? Also what dimmer are you using cause I'm using a zoo-med one.

 

[Rowdyrod44]

I'm using a Home Depot sliding dimmer that is super touchy and hard to make the munute adjustments needed. I'll slide in what seems like a tiny bit and the temp soars. Then I try to lower it a tiny bit and the temp goes too far down. Still trying to get it right but think I will try a turning knob dimmer, then go to a thermostat. .

 

[cornsnakes101]

I think thats what I'm gana have to do. Don't go with zoo-med this is my second rheostat and it sucks

 

[Miqote]

I actually just came on to post about this same issue. When I bought Sprinkle yesterday, I also picked up 2 digital thermometers (the same ones as Rowdyrod, with the probe! ) I love the thermometers, but I'm also using the Zoo-med UTH with the Rheostat and the lowest temperature at the glass is crazy.. around 110F. On top of the Aspen, the temperature is fine, and Pineapple doesn't seem to burrow but I know I can't leave it like this.

I live in an apartment, so I don't think I can install a dimmer into the wall. I was able to find one that plugs into the outlet, but it doesn't seem to be working with the UTH? It says it is made for incandescent lights though, lol. Does anyone have any suggestions? I'm even willing to invest in something more expensive, like a thermostat, if I can get some good feedback on it - I'm just worried to spend too much on something that won't work properly.

 

[Tara80]

A rheostat is a rheostat no matter where you get it, or what it says it is for (it's just an adjustable resistor)- BUT you just have to be sure it is made for handling 120v. A thermostat is just a switch and will turn on or off your circuit at a given temperature setting.
Your snakes will burrow at some point and even if you have not witnessed them doing so, assume they will. High temps (above 100) can kill your snake. You want the inside of the tub to be around 84-87 degrees.
Rheostats are touchy, or, for the most part- the condition of your heat strip/heat pad is touchy (based on temperature & moisture). Just work with it and adjust it until you fall into the range you want to be in and mark your rheostat/dimmer switch to remember where the 'optimal' temperature range is. Depending on the outside conditions around your heating elements, you may have to make minor adjustments from you original resistance mark. It may take a while to find the perfect adjustment (it took me about 45 minutes to find mine) and I have to change the dial position by just a bit between morning and night.

 

[cornsnakes101]

Well I have my zoo med one on the lowest setting it will go and its not even cutting power off cause it rose up to 120 and stayed there. If I can't get this fixed can anyone suggest a good thermostat?

 

[Miqote]

I tossed the Zoo-med rheostat and got 2 dimmers (1 for each snake) at home depot. The issue with the Zoo-med was not a matter of adjustment, it simply will not go lower then 110F. Oh well, hopefully others will read this and not purchase them. I got Sprinkle's UTH to 85.x F, but I'm still working on getting Pineapple into the perfect zone

I'm really happy I got the digital thermometers also (as opposed to the dial ones). They are a world of difference and the humidity gauge is nice.

 

[cornsnakes101]

Which section are the dimmers in home depot located cause Im going to have to make a quick run over there cause this is ridiculous.

 

[Miqote]

Its in the electrical section with the lights. They weren't all together, they were just hanging randomly in the aisles. I got "Leviton" brand ones, I had seen mentioned before. It will specifically say "lamp dimmer" or "light dimmer".