Viv/heat setup

[Viserion]

Hey guys, I recently got a new corn snake. I currently only have a heat lamp for him, but I want to get an Under Tank Heater because I know it is better. I was curious as to a good setup for this.

The tank (20 gallons - 30 x 12 x 12) is currently on the floor, but I need a good stand/table. With a UTH I know it's good to have ventilation under the tank to prevent overheating, so I was thinking a wire shelf/stand of some sort. What do you think of that idea?

http://www.amazon.com/Whitmor-6070-...d=1364599931&sr=8-8&keywords=Whitmor+shelving

Also, what type of thermostat do you recommend? I know that it is important to regulate the temp. I have the inexpensive analog thermometers stuck on the wall of the tank. Is that good enough to tell the air temp of the tank? Obviously I will still need the thermostat to regulate the ground temp.

Thanks for the help. I just want to take really good care of my new friend.

 

[griff531]

I would recommend the hydrofarm thermostat. You can find it on amazon pretty cheap. Hope that helped in some way

 

[Nythain]

The tank (20 gallons - 30 x 12 x 12) is currently on the floor, but I need a good stand/table. With a UTH I know it's good to have ventilation under the tank to prevent overheating, so I was thinking a wire shelf/stand of some sort. What do you think of that idea?

Most branded UTH will come with some form of raise for your tank, my ZooMed (i believe, might have been Zilla, not sure) came with little adhesive rubber feet/raisers so my tank sits about 1/8-1/4 inch off it's stand. So a special stand wouldn't be necessary usually.

Also, what type of thermostat do you recommend? I know that it is important to regulate the temp.

Hydrofarm are cheap and reliable. Probably the most commonly used thermostat around here. There's more expensive "proportional" thermostats like the Herpstat from Spyder Robotics, and the VE series from Vivarium Electronics.

I have the inexpensive analog thermometers stuck on the wall of the tank. Is that good enough to tell the air temp of the tank? Obviously I will still need the thermostat to regulate the ground temp.

No. The cheap analog thermometers are incredibly inaccurate and are really only good for one thing... climbing toys for your snakes. Just about every main brand makes $10 digital thermometers with probes. I would actually recommend going to Wal-Mart or similar store and looking for an Accurite indoor/outdoor with humidity. That way you can easily monitor both ends, or multiple spots on the warm end, etc.

So to sum up... Most UTH *should* come with a raising mechanism for your tank. Hydrofarm's are the most popular and cheaper thermostats. And you definitely need to invest in at least a couple proper digital thermometers with probes. Preferably one for inside the tank, on the glass, directly above the UTH. One for on top of the substrate on the warm side, not in the air but actually just laying on the substrate. And optionally, one for the cool side.

 

[Viserion]

So if the UTH comes with raisers, I could just put a piece of plywood on top of that wire stand, would that work? I think I'm gonna go with the hydrofarm thermostat. I have heard a lot of good things about it in my research. If it doesn't work, I will try a fancier one later. If it isn't too much of a hassle, could you give me a link to a good digital thermometer on amazon? Thanks. Also, if I have the thermostat on the warm side with the digital readout, why would I also need a thermometer. That may be a dumb question, but I'm just curious. Thanks again for the help.

 

[Nythain]

So if the UTH comes with raisers, I could just put a piece of plywood on top of that wire stand, would that work?

Plywood, plexiglass, anything that fits would work. If you were dead set on that stand for aesthetic reasons.

I think I'm gonna go with the hydrofarm thermostat. I have heard a lot of good things about it in my research. If it doesn't work, I will try a fancier one later. If it isn't too much of a hassle, could you give me a link to a good digital thermometer on amazon?

Sure, this is what I would personally look for http://www.amazon.com/Chaney-Instru...B001BO8CUE/ref=sr_1_18?ie=UTF8&qid=1364608507 Interestingly enough, you'll notice it's usually purchased with the Hydrofarm thermostat, wonder if thats from all the herpers out there, lol.

Thanks. Also, if I have the thermostat on the warm side with the digital readout, why would I also need a thermometer. That may be a dumb question, but I'm just curious. Thanks again for the help.

You should really double up the thermo readings in case one is less accurate. Some thermostats don't have the most accurate temperature probes, so a "second opinion" thermometer helps make sure the temp is correct. It's very important temps be correct there (under the bedding, on the glass, above the UTH) because your snake will burrow. If the glass is too hot, he chances burning his belly really bad and possible neurological damage from prolonged exposure to high temps.

I personally have the temp probe from the t-stat and a temp probe from a cheap ZooMed digital both taped to the glass. Then my bedding laid down over those two. Finally a third probe resting on the bedding. This gives me the temp of the glass (with a backup reading for accuracy) in case my little guy gets down there, and the general belly temp of the "warm" side of his cage, so i know if it's too warm or cold for him in his hides.

If you don't want to invest in a bajillion thermometers, the most popular option would be to get an IR Temp gun so you could "scan" all the important spots (hides, bedding, etc) to make sure temps are where they should be.

 

[Alicia P]

This is a decent thermometer. You need both because sometimes the calibration on a thermostat can be off, you may need to set it a little lower or higher to get the proper temps, or it could stop working altogether and let your UTH go full tilt. If you have a separate thermometer then you can see at a glance what the temperature is. The probe for each will go under the substrate, on the glass, over the UTH, right next to each other. Hot glue works perfectly for holding them in place.

 

[Viserion]

Thank you for those responses. That makes sense. If I don't want to glue the wires down, what type of tape would be safe, but also unattractive (clear)? I just don't want it to be permanent. Also, what do you do about all the wires hanging in the tank. Does that not cause a problem? I just want to know what to do with them. Also, with all these digital appliances, do you reccomend any timers/power strips? Do I need to have any of them on a timer?

I'm not stuck on that set up for the table, I just want what's the best and also cheap. But I heard a wooden stand top is not good. It could overheat and "potentially" cause a fire. That's why I was thinking about the metal wire stand. Or would glass be any better? With the lifters, it might not matter, but I could use other opinions. Thanks again!

 

[Nanci]

I have tanks with UTHs, on thermostats, on wood. It's fine.

 

[Alicia P]

No timers are needed, the UTH should be on 24/7. If you get many power surges in your area and surge protector would be a good idea though.

Hot glue is not permanent, it can be peeled off. Tape is usually not advised because even if it is stuck down good, snakes can somehow get a corner peeled up and end up getting themselves stuck. I'm sure there are a couple more options for sticking the probes down, but they are eluding me at the moment.

 

[Viserion]

I guess hot glue will work. What about all the wires coming from the substrate, and out of the tank? How do you organize that to not be a mess, or something your snake can pull on?

Ill look around for a wooden stand then. I would prefer something with cabinets.

Since I will won't be using the ceramic heat lamp anymore, is there anything I could use it for now that I will have the UTH?

 

[Nanci]

I sometimes use aluminum tape, in tiny strips, inside the viv. You can pin down the wires with 1/4" strips. It's not very sticky after the first time you stick it- so if it comes off, it doesn't stick to anything.