vacation question

[Mary29456]

My family is taking a trip to Universal Wed-Sun and I was just curious to know if my two corn snakes will be ok without their heat lamps during that time or if I should go ahead and ask me neighbor to come over and turn them on and off. Thanks in advance for the feed back.

 

[Christaberk]

Can you get a timer?

 

[Quixotic]

Do you normally turn the heat off and on during the day? I leave mine on all the time, with a thermostat of course.

 

[Mary29456]

Do you normally turn the heat off and on during the day? I leave mine on all the time, with a thermostat of course.

I normally turn them on in the morning when I get up at 6am and then turn them off at 9pm when I go to bed.

 

[Kat_Dog]

It would probably be worth it to invest in a timer.
http://www.petco.com/product/119655/Zoo-Med-Repticare-Day-Night-Timer.aspx?CoreCat=OnSiteSearch
That one is usually about $20 at petco.
There's also one that is about $5 cheaper with only one outlet I think.

 

[Nythain]

Since we're talking heat lamps, while you could go with a timer set to your normal schedule I'd personally suggest in finding a thermostat to control them. The thermostat even has the benefit of continued use to properly control warm side temperatures.

 

[smigon]

It would probably be worth it to invest in a timer.
http://www.petco.com/product/119655/Zoo-Med-Repticare-Day-Night-Timer.aspx?CoreCat=OnSiteSearch
That one is usually about $20 at petco.
There's also one that is about $5 cheaper with only one outlet I think.

I would buy a timer from Walmart or a home store like HD or Lowes instead, much cheaper, I think about $7-8 instead of $20

 

[Mary29456]

I think it will be easier for me to just have my neighbor come over. That way while she is here she can change their water for me as well.

 

[bitsy]

I'd forget the water. Five day old water is much less of a risk than a neighbour leaving the tank lid slightly off.

I use a thermostat on my UTHs and mine can happily be left unattended for a week at a time. Five days is fine. A timer switch for the lamps (which really ought to be on some kind of controller if they're the sole heat source) will resolve the problem in future.

 

[Kat_Dog]

I would buy a timer from Walmart or a home store like HD or Lowes instead, much cheaper, I think about $7-8 instead of $20

Personally, I would too... and I thought I typed that in, but for some reason it didn't show up in my post? :shrugs:


Water is the least of your concerns imho. Your snake can live with stale water, but I wouldn't even trust my mom to open my vivs and close them properly.
Just make sure you have a big enough bowl that it won't be completely evaporated by your lamp.

 

[Nanci]

Definitely just leave the water alone. You don't want anyone besides yourself opening the vivs. She can pour water through the screens if she has to.

When I leave, unless it's the dead of winter, I unplug my racks. I time the feedings so the snakes are done digesting before I leave. This also makes sure there is not much chance of water bowl pooping while I'm gone. I just don't want to risk a heating accident/fire while I'm gone.

 

[tikk]

I left mine baby corn for a week sun-sun two weeks ago. I have the thermostat control for my uth, I unplugged all the lamps, and she is completely fine! she's still a happy snake and ate on the tuesday i got back. I left the room temperature around 65-70. My baby corn snake seems to do fine without a lamp!