Pics of new enclosure, and a question

[AndrewM1217]

So I recently got a new enclosure for my spotted python and got it all set up today! He hasn't done much exploring yet but he's only been in the cage for a few hours now so I'm sure he'll check it out later tonight

http://i889.photobucket.com/albums/ac93/BassTortoise/IMG_3475.jpg

In the top right corner is a ceramic heat emitter with a metal cage around it to prevent any direct contact. Below that, you can see the probe for a thermostat which is attached to the cage via ziptie. This is where my question comes it.

I know the main issue with placing a probe inside the tank is that the snake can move the probe and thus cause an unwanted increase in heat. However, the probe is attached by ziptie and is held firmly in place. I am wondering if this is a safe means of controlling the CHE? Temps have been good so far.

Another option I can think of would be using a ziptie around the middle of the probe and directly attaching it to the bottom part of the metal cage

Also, the screen surrounding the CHE encloses the CHE all the way around, so I was thinking perhaps putting the probe inside the cage itself just to be totally sure the snake could not do so much as even touch it. Thoughts and opinions?

[dannybgoode]

I personally wouldn't put the probe there although the is nothing particularly wrong with it. Let me find a link to a post I did on the subject.

IoM the probe is too close the che and given the heat they kick out the stat may be switching off too early and not allowing the basking spot to warm sufficiently.

[dannybgoode]

Here it is...

http://www.ssnakess.com/forums/general-enclosure-discussion/111433-how-properly-place-thermostat-probe-snake-viv.html

[dave himself]

Mate first of all that's a beautiful setup but the placement of your probe is slightly off imo. The way I have mine set up is the probe on the back wall away from the CHE and about half way up the viv. I then used a temp gun to check the temperature directly below CHE to create a hot-spot of the temperature I wanted. You have to play around a bit with the thermostat to achieve this but it's not to bad, hope this helps :)

[dave himself]

A picture speaks a thousand words yours is much better Danny mate ;)

[dannybgoode]

A picture speaks a thousand words yours is much better Danny mate ;)

It's why I did the picture :D

[AndrewM1217]

I personally wouldn't put the probe there although the is nothing particularly wrong with it. Let me find a link to a post I did on the subject.

IoM the probe is too close the che and given the heat they kick out the stat may be switching off too early and not allowing the basking spot to warm sufficiently.

Thanks for the advice and for the link as well.

However, it's been a few hours now since I've set everything up, and it seems like the thermostat has been staying on the entire time despite only being set to 91 degrees Fahrenheit which I thought was odd

[AndrewM1217]

Mate first of all that's a beautiful setup but the placement of your probe is slightly off imo. The way I have mine set up is the probe on the back wall away from the CHE and about half way up the viv. I then used a temp gun to check the temperature directly below CHE to create a hot-spot of the temperature I wanted. You have to play around a bit with the thermostat to achieve this but it's not to bad, hope this helps :)

Thanks for the advice. What wattage do both of you use for your tanks? The current one I'm using is 60w, and the dimensions of the enclosure are 36"Lx18"Wx18"H

[dannybgoode]

What type of thermostat is it? On/off, dimmer or pulse?

[AndrewM1217]

What type of thermostat is it? On/off, dimmer or pulse?

Its a Zilla Temperature Controller brand thermostat, which I belive is an On/Off mechanism? Correct me if I'm wrong please

[dannybgoode]

Also how are you measuring the temperature at the basking spot?

[AndrewM1217]

Also how are you measuring the temperature at the basking spot?

Digital thermometer. I don't leave it in the terrarium just because it gets moved around and is somewhat unsightly IMO. Also it is admittedly on the cheap side, so I'm hoping to get a temp gun in the near future

[SWDK]

That's a wonderful enclosure for sure. The previous posts have you covered on probe placement. Good luck with the new enclosure.

[AndrewM1217]

So my IR thermometer arrived (ZooMed ReptiTemp IR Thermometer) and the top of the little cave you can see measured in at 85 degrees Fahrenheit. The thermostat that is controlling the CHE has still not switched off even once, despite how close the probe is to the CHE. I raised the thermostat to 95 degrees to hopefully bring the basking area directly below the CHE to around 90-92. Is it possible that a 60w CHE is not enough? The coldest part of the cage is 73 degrees in the corner farthest from the CHE, so I'm not worried about the snake getting dangerously cold but I'd certainly like to get my temps up a little bit. Any more advice guys?

[toddnbecka]

I use 100w CHE's for a couple of my Dominican setups, and 150w for the smaller carpet python. For your enclosure a RHP would be better, I use a 40w from reptile basics for my larger carpet python. I just moved him from a 40 breeder into a 75, and the 40w is the only size that will fit inside the plastic tank rims. It actually does a great job keeping him warm in an aquarium with a pegboard top, would be much more efficient in your setup. The 80w size works very well in my 4x2x2 plywood enclosures, maintains the ambient temp very nicely in those.

[AndrewM1217]

I use 100w CHE's for a couple of my Dominican setups, and 150w for the smaller carpet python. For your enclosure a RHP would be better, I use a 40w from reptile basics for my larger carpet python. I just moved him from a 40 breeder into a 75, and the 40w is the only size that will fit inside the plastic tank rims. It actually does a great job keeping him warm in an aquarium with a pegboard top, would be much more efficient in your setup. The 80w size works very well in my 4x2x2 plywood enclosures, maintains the ambient temp very nicely in those.

I'll definitely consider a RHP in the future

So I just pointed the IR temp device directly at the CHE and discovered that its at about 144 degrees Fahrenheit. It's crazy to me that the probe isnt getting to at least 92 degrees being that its like 6" away from the CHE

[dannybgoode]

I'll definitely consider a RHP in the future

So I just pointed the IR temp device directly at the CHE and discovered that its at about 144 degrees Fahrenheit. It's crazy to me that the probe isnt getting to at least 92 degrees being that its like 6" away from the CHE

I suspect your thermostat is not an on/off one but rather a pulse or dimmer. Neither of these switch off so to speak but instead continuously vary the power to the stat to maintain a constant temperature.

I am not familiar with the various manufacturers of stats in the USA I'm afraid though so do not know the one you have.

[dannybgoode]

And yes the surface temps of a ceramic heater can be bonkers. I've measured mine to 500f on heat up so it does sound like the stat is operating and controlling the output of the heater.

[AndrewM1217]

I suspect your thermostat is not an on/off one but rather a pulse or dimmer. Neither of these switch off so to speak but instead continuously vary the power to the stat to maintain a constant temperature.

I am not familiar with the various manufacturers of stats in the USA I'm afraid though so do not know the one you have.

This same thermostat was previously used for my UTH in the last enclosure I had. It would turn consistently turn on and off as the UTH reached 94 degrees or dropped below a certain point. There is a green power light that is always on, and a red light marked "heating" that previously turned on and off. Turning up the heat on the dial doesn't seem to make too much of a difference since when it was set at 90 the CHE should be continuously supplied power in a (fruitless) effort to hit 90 degrees. I think I will pick up a 100w CHE later today and try that out

[AndrewM1217]

Bought a 100w ceramic heat emitter today and was able to get his basking spot up to 91 degrees easily. My only concern is that the hottest part of the metal shroud around the CHE gets up to about 115 at its surface temp. I realize this Is not going to cause a burn but it still makes me nervous. Am I over-worrying?

[toddnbecka]

Yes, a bit. As long as the bulb itself isn't accessible there shouldn't be any problems.