New to herps - heat problems

[trailblazer295]

Hey everyone

I'm in the process of setting up my first reptile tank and a quick google search for snake forums I found this place. I've found dedicated forums to be very helpful in the past. After extensive research on various lizards and snakes I decided a ball python was a good fit for me. I'm really excited to select and buy my first snake but first I wanted to have the tank setup with stable heat temps. I bought a 24x24x12 pvc enclosure yesterday. I have it set up with a UTH controlled by a reptitemp 500r and I'm using a Zilla thermo/hyrometer as well as a yellow jacket infared gun to spot check (I'm an HVAC tech) After 24hrs and playing with sensor location and the control on the stat I have the hot spot at 92f but the rest of the enclosure is 72-74f. The room temp is 71f right now but I know fluctuates depending on the time of day avg is a low of 68f overnight. The UTH is sized for a 30-40gallon tank. I thought this would be sufficient to heat the enclosure. I'm worried the ambient temps in the rest of it aren't warm enough. Do I need another lower powered heat source for the front? Any help is appreciated.

[millertime89]

Another heat source isn't necessary but what you can do is cover the top of the cage (you don't specify so I'm assuming it's a screen) with a blanket and then put cardboard or something else on three of the four sides to act as insulation.

[trailblazer295]

No it's a PVC snake cage, this size I was told was built for ball pythons. I just tried covering one of the two vents on the back to see what impact it would have. The humidity is at 41% right now before the change. I'll give it till morning and see what happens.

[millertime89]

What size is your UTH? Those cages usually provide good enough insulation, the vent may be the culprit though.

[trailblazer295]

What size is your UTH? Those cages usually provide good enough insulation, the vent may be the culprit though.

It's about 8x15 sized for 30-40 gallon tank I believe it's 16w, zoomed reptitherm. Since covering the vent the front temp on the aspen has risen to 74F. I've also adjusted the sensor location. They are just running through the front for now, I'll be drilling holes in the back tomorrow to run them clean inside. Just trying to get the temps in a range where I'm comfortable buying a snake.

Current hot spot temp is 93F with heater on and consistent 74F in the front section with an infrared gun. Humidity is 42%

[Mikoh4792]

Use a radiant heat panel to heat the ambient temps, and then use the UTH for the hotspot.

[trailblazer295]

Use a radiant heat panel to heat the ambient temps, and then use the UTH for the hotspot.

If the hotspot is the back left corner where should I position that? I've read about those a few times while searching tonight. I'll buy one tomorrow. What size or wattage should I be looking for?

[EL Ziggy]

Use a radiant heat panel to heat the ambient temps, and then use the UTH for the hotspot.
^^That'll do it. ^^

[Mikoh4792]

If the hotspot is the back left corner where should I position that? I've read about those a few times while searching tonight. I'll buy one tomorrow. What size or wattage should I be looking for?

Use it also in the back left corner. I'd buy the smallest size available since the cage is only 2x2x12". Probably something near 28 watts

[trailblazer295]

Use it also in the back left corner. I'd buy the smallest size available since the cage is only 2x2x12". Probably something near 28 watts

I'd mount it where on the side?

[Mikoh4792]

I'd mount it where on the side?

No the ceiling like this

http://www.boaphileplastics.com/arboreal/radiant_panel_installed.jpg

[trailblazer295]

No the ceiling like this

http://www.boaphileplastics.com/arboreal/radiant_panel_installed.jpg

Oh okay and this will raise the ambient temperature for the rest of the tank?

Would plugging this into my reptitherm be okay so it cycles on as the floor temp drops? If I need a seperate stat I'll do it, I'm of the belief do it right or don't it at all. The old saying don't do it half....

[millertime89]

I would position the heat pad a little more towards the middle (front to back) but still on the left. I would go 4.5in from the front and back and 2-4 inches in, that will disperse the heat a little bit more while still providing a concentrated hot spot.

[trailblazer295]

I would position the heat pad a little more towards the middle (front to back) but still on the left. I would go 4.5in from the front and back and 2-4 inches in, that will disperse the heat a little bit more while still providing a concentrated hot spot.

Even the area directly to the right of it is the same temp as the front much further away. it doesn't seem to heat an area beyond the border of it.

[millertime89]

What brand uth?

[trailblazer295]

What brand uth?

zoo med reptitherm

[millertime89]

What t-stat?

[trailblazer295]

What t-stat?

zoo med reptitemp 500r and zilla digital thermometer-hygrometer and using a yellow jacket hvac infared gun as well. It seems the zilla is quite accurate pointing at the sensor itself registers a fraction of a degree temp difference.

[millertime89]

Get a 2 ft strip of 6 in wide heat tape wired up from RBI
Heat Tape (http://www.reptilebasics.com/heat-tape)

Then get one of these digital t-stats.
http://www.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-MTPRTC-Digital-Thermostat-Heat/dp/B000NZZG3S

That combo has been working great for me. You could also do a 2ft strip of the 12 inch tape but turn down the hot spot some. I'm really not a fan of the zoo-med stuff. IMO overpriced and underperforming. The whole thing should total out to around $45.

[trailblazer295]

Morning report

hot spot 92f rest of the tank including the back right side 69-71f current room temp 68f. Humidity has risen to 49%.

[pet_snake_78]

Heat tape and mats won't change the ambient temps much, if any, in a large pvc enclosure. They only provide a hot spot.

[trailblazer295]

Heat tape and mats won't change the ambient temps much, if any, in a large pvc enclosure. They only provide a hot spot.

What did was add a second one to the side of it. After 4hrs of cycling on the same stat and warming up the room there was no change in ambient temp. So I have it running non stop now and I placed a blanket on the top. It ran like this overnight and now the hot spot is still 90-92f but ground temp in rest of cage is 78f. My humidity has dropped but I can fix that. Room temp is 71f.