Zoo Med

[desipooh.12]

I know this may be a dumb question but
Zoo Med heat pad is not as hot as it use to
be? So the humidity isn't up to par..
has this happened to anyone? Any suggestions?

[slowhite03]

How old is it? They don't last forever, it may be time to get a new one

[Mikoh4792]

I know this may be a dumb question but
Zoo Med heat pad is not as hot as it use to
be? So the humidity isn't up to par..
has this happened to anyone? Any suggestions?

Do you use a thermostat? They should last a few years.

[desipooh.12]

How old is it? They don't last forever, it may be time to get a new one
id say like 6 or 7mths give or take?
I've had my brb for 5mths & I bought the heat pad like 2mths before or a month..

[desipooh.12]

Do you use a thermostat? They should last a few years.
no I do not, & I've been trying to find a good affordable one & I have an idea of how they work but not exactly?

[h3h]

no I do not, & I've been trying to find a good affordable one & I have an idea of how they work but not exactly?


O_o You should have a thermostat before you get the snake, and you should get one asap. I hope you haven't burned your snake? A thermostat works like your air conditioner or heater in your house. You set the temperature you desire, and once that temperature has been obtained it shuts off the source until the temperature falls below the preset temp. Then it kicks back on again, and repeats that process.

- h3

[Mikoh4792]

O_o You should have a thermostat before you get the snake, and you should get one asap. I hope you haven't burned your snake? A thermostat works like your air conditioner or heater in your house. You set the temperature you desire, and once that temperature has been obtained it shuts off the source until the temperature falls below the preset temp. Then it kicks back on again, and repeats that process.

- h3

If it's on/off that's how it ^ works.


If you get a proportional thermostat, depending on the the type (pulse/dimming), it keeps the temps more steady by controlling the amount of power the heat source uses.

[desipooh.12]

O_o You should have a thermostat before you get the snake, and you should get one asap. I hope you haven't burned your snake? A thermostat works like your air conditioner or heater in your house. You set the temperature you desire, and once that temperature has been obtained it shuts off the source until the temperature falls below the preset temp. Then it kicks back on again, and repeats that process.

- h3
No I have not burned my snake, because my heat pad is on the outside of the tub & I've put my probe on the heat pad & its not heating like its suppose to that's the reason I made this thread lol..
but yes I figured that's how it works, I've just had a hard time finding one..

[desipooh.12]

If it's on/off that's how it ^ works.


If you get a proportional thermostat, depending on the the type (pulse/dimming), it keeps the temps more steady by controlling the amount of power the heat source uses.
any suggestions on where I can get one?

[formica]

you said that humidity is not upto par, because of the heat mat? bit confused by that, although temperature does affect humidity, you still need to add water to the enclosure by misting/fogging to increase the humidity, how often to do you do this?

i dont know what make my heat mats are, but 3 of them are from 1998 and still going strong - i suspect something is wrong if the heat mat isnt hot enough - have you got an IR thermometer to test it?


Habistat Pulse Proportional is one of the best options for a basic heat mat setup (far more stable tempreture than simple on/off), most pet shops stock them, otherwise ebay, amazon or your favorite online retailer

[h3h]

If it's on/off that's how it ^ works.
If you get a proportional thermostat, depending on the the type (pulse/dimming), it keeps the temps more steady by controlling the amount of power the heat source uses.


Good point, I believe these are a little more expensive than the ones I mentioned. They probably also do a better job - I use one as described by me in the previous post, I've never had much fluctuation, through experiimentation I can "under set" the desired heat, and when the stat tells the heat to kick off it will still rise a degree or two to the desired temp!

- h3

[Terranaut]

I just skimmed the thread so if I repeat anyone..sorry.
First off a cheap thermostat is better than none so please get one $25 will buy you what you need. I have one of those heat mats and wide open without control will get very hot. I have not tested it but I would gueas well over 100º. Typically the pulse propotional thermostats are higher quality but wether or not a perfect temp is better for your snake is just not true. Nature doesn't hold a perfect temp nor does your snake hold a perfect temp. If this was the case you could set it and never have your snake move. If the snake can find the perfect temp in it's enclosure you have controlled enough. I hate it when people say the pulse are better for your snake. This simply isn't true. Higher quality is better but tighter temp control is not required. Actually it can cause your snake to just sit there with little effort to thermoregulate. Or in other words....no excersise.

[formica]

I just skimmed the thread so if I repeat anyone..sorry.
First off a cheap thermostat is better than none so please get one $25 will buy you what you need. I have one of those heat mats and wide open without control will get very hot. I have not tested it but I would gueas well over 100º. Typically the pulse propotional thermostats are higher quality but wether or not a perfect temp is better for your snake is just not true. Nature doesn't hold a perfect temp nor does your snake hold a perfect temp. If this was the case you could set it and never have your snake move. If the snake can find the perfect temp in it's enclosure you have controlled enough. I hate it when people say the pulse are better for your snake. This simply isn't true. Higher quality is better but tighter temp control is not required. Actually it can cause your snake to just sit there with little effort to thermoregulate. Or in other words....no excersise.

why are pulse better than on/off? an on/off thermostat can vary by +/- 5C, this can be as much as the entire tempreture gradient of the enclosure - thats why they are better, if it is set correctly, then the gradient in the enclosure will be correct, and the snake will no just sit in one place, this is misunderstanding what thermoregulation is about, snakes do not need or want to be at the same tempreture all the time

[slowhite03]

Sorry you got all the thermostat nazis on you but getting back to your original question, you may of just had a bad heat mat. If you have your receipt, I'm pretty sure there is a year warranty on those. Or you buy a new one from petsmart and return the old one. Just a few suggestions

[desipooh.12]

you said that humidity is not upto par, because of the heat mat? bit confused by that, although temperature does affect humidity, you still need to add water to the enclosure by misting/fogging to increase the humidity, how often to do you do this?

i dont know what make my heat mats are, but 3 of them are from 1998 and still going strong - i suspect something is wrong if the heat mat isnt hot enough - have you got an IR thermometer to test it?


Habistat Pulse Proportional is one of the best options for a basic heat mat setup (far more stable tempreture than simple on/off), most pet shops stock them, otherwise ebay, amazon or your favorite online retailer
NO,
I place my heat mat under the water bowl area
OUTSIDE of my tub, & that makes the enclosure moist without me having to mist, I don't want to over do it & cause a RI, but back to the point of my thread..
well I bought a hydrometer & thermometer from WalMart & little by little the humidity is going up, right now its at a 85%, its suppose to be at a 90-95%..
so idk if its just me..

[desipooh.12]

Sorry you got all the thermostat nazis on you but getting back to your original question, you may of just had a bad heat mat. If you have your receipt, I'm pretty sure there is a year warranty on those. Or you buy a new one from petsmart and return the old one. Just a few suggestions
yes thank you lol
I think its just me!

[desipooh.12]

I just skimmed the thread so if I repeat anyone..sorry.
First off a cheap thermostat is better than none so please get one $25 will buy you what you need. I have one of those heat mats and wide open without control will get very hot. I have not tested it but I would gueas well over 100º. Typically the pulse propotional thermostats are higher quality but wether or not a perfect temp is better for your snake is just not true. Nature doesn't hold a perfect temp nor does your snake hold a perfect temp. If this was the case you could set it and never have your snake move. If the snake can find the perfect temp in it's enclosure you have controlled enough. I hate it when people say the pulse are better for your snake. This simply isn't true. Higher quality is better but tighter temp control is not required. Actually it can cause your snake to just sit there with little effort to thermoregulate. Or in other words....no excersise.
Mm no its no where near 100,
yes I need to get one,
but I just bought a thermometer & I think it maybe a little off or getting there because the humidity is rising.. I was just wondering or maybe its just me not being patient..
but thank you! I have found one on amazon for like $32..

[Terranaut]

Mm no its no where near 100,
yes I need to get one,
but I just bought a thermometer & I think it maybe a little off or getting there because the humidity is rising.. I was just wondering or maybe its just me not being patient..
but thank you! I have found one on amazon for like $32..

Good luck with it.I hope you get it sorted out.

[desipooh.12]

Good luck with it.I hope you get it sorted out.
thank you!
I have another question,
so the thermostat only has one outlet
& what if you plan to have multiple species?
I've seen thermostats with 2 plugs
but if I have multiple snakes id have to get one for each one? Correct?

[Mikoh4792]

thank you!
I have another question,
so the thermostat only has one outlet
& what if you plan to have multiple species?
I've seen thermostats with 2 plugs
but if I have multiple snakes id have to get one for each one? Correct?

If you plan to keep multiple species and use only one probe, I'd suggest using only one heat source. For example a single strip of flexxwat or anything for that matter for multiple enclosures( Ie. a rack system)

If you are going to be using multiple heat sources to heat multiple enclosures I would use a probe for each of them, meaning you may have to buy more than one thermostat. You can buy thermostats that have up to 2-4 probes(herpstat, vivarium electronics..etc) which you can then use to heat 2-4 enclosures.

[Terranaut]

If you plan to keep multiple species and use only one probe, I'd suggest using only one heat source. For example a single strip of flexxwat or anything for that matter for multiple enclosures( Ie. a rack system)

If you are going to be using multiple heat sources to heat multiple enclosures I would use a probe for each of them, meaning you may have to buy more than one thermostat. You can buy thermostats that have up to 2-4 probes(herpstat, vivarium electronics..etc) which you can then use to heat 2-4 enclosures.
This....
Or just get another hydrafarm for a second heat source.
I have all of my enclosures on seperate thermostats. If you need to seperate the enclosures for any reason it isn't a big deal to sort out.

[desipooh.12]

Thank you all I appreciate the advice, with out being
Criticized! :)
I plan to make my own rack system, I've YouTube it
& it seems fairly easy!
I just need more space..

[Kid Boa]

I use Sterilite tubs for all my Boas, they are GREAT for holding humidity.

I use a combination of Eco-Earth and Cyprus Mulch for substrate. I have one Zoom Med UTH on a thermostat to maintain a 82-85 hot spot and a 74-76 cool side. Humidity is always 90%+

I have used Zoom Med UTHs for years with no issues at all. You may have gotten a bad matt.

Hope this helps.

[desipooh.12]

I use Sterilite tubs for all my Boas, they are GREAT for holding humidity.

I use a combination of Eco-Earth and Cyprus Mulch for substrate. I have one Zoom Med UTH on a thermostat to maintain a 82-85 hot spot and a 74-76 cool side. Humidity is always 90%+

I have used Zoom Med UTHs for years with no issues at all. You may have gotten a bad matt.

Hope this helps.
that is how I have my enclosure..
I've already fixed the problem..
thank you tho

[Aaron_S]

thank you!
I have another question,
so the thermostat only has one outlet
& what if you plan to have multiple species?
I've seen thermostats with 2 plugs
but if I have multiple snakes id have to get one for each one? Correct?

Depends on the species.

I keep purely ball pythons now and I use herpstats. I can control four racks with one of them. Each probe can be set individually so I can use different species if I wanted to.

Personally, Dion over at spyder robotics (who makes herpstats) is so good with customer service I will never use another product. It's a little on the high end but well worth it.

I have his newer stuff and not only can I set temps and night drops but the last two outlets can either be used for heating elements OR I can use them with bulbs and make a sunrise and sunset!

[desipooh.12]

Depends on the species.

I keep purely ball pythons now and I use herpstats. I can control four racks with one of them. Each probe can be set individually so I can use different species if I wanted to.

Personally, Dion over at spyder robotics (who makes herpstats) is so good with customer service I will never use another product. It's a little on the high end but well worth it.

I have his newer stuff and not only can I set temps and night drops but the last two outlets can either be used for heating elements OR I can use them with bulbs and make a sunrise and sunset!
oh wow! Do they have a website?

[desipooh.12]

Depends on the species.

I keep purely ball pythons now and I use herpstats. I can control four racks with one of them. Each probe can be set individually so I can use different species if I wanted to.

Personally, Dion over at spyder robotics (who makes herpstats) is so good with customer service I will never use another product. It's a little on the high end but well worth it.

I have his newer stuff and not only can I set temps and night drops but the last two outlets can either be used for heating elements OR I can use them with bulbs and make a sunrise and sunset!
well I have my BRB & I'm going to be getting ball pythons soon.. I know the temps are different.. I just need to get everything setup
& so on & so forth..

[Mikoh4792]

oh wow! Do they have a website?

Yes but they are expensive if you are going to buy one that heats 2 or 4 heat sources(around $200-$300)

I too use only herpstats. They've been great with all the options they give.

Spyder Robotics (http://www.spyderrobotics.com)

[Aaron_S]

Yes but they are expensive if you are going to buy one that heats 2 or 4 heat sources(around $200-$300)

I too use only herpstats. They've been great with all the options they give.

Spyder Robotics (http://www.spyderrobotics.com)

Well worth the expense in my eyes to keep everything you hold dear alive.

[Mikoh4792]

Well worth the expense in my eyes to keep everything you hold dear alive.

Right, when it comes to the safety of your animals paying the extra dollar is always worth it.

[desipooh.12]

Right, when it comes to the safety of your animals paying the extra dollar is always worth it.
dont own an animal you can't afford or
can't take care of throughout its life..
:)