Temperature problems

[Dev_Man]

Yep another question:p ...I've been monitering my temps on the basking are of my tank and i have a question, when i put the thermometer under the substrate touching the glass above the UTH the temp reads 102F!...but when i place it on top of the substare it is merely in the mid 80's, now my question is what temperature should i go by??? I'm afraid for thermal burns yet i don't want it to be too cold and have other problems, Should i just put something like a piece of cardboard right above the heater??, my other option is to purchase a thermostat. oh the confusion:rolleyes: .Thanks for the help!

[BoidKeeper]

Go by the temp that the snake will be laying on. I use many layers of newspaper to make until the surface on which the ball will rest on is between 90-95.
Cheers,
Trevor

[Dev_Man]

Alrighty, Thanks a lot Trevor you have been very helpful:)

[BoidKeeper]

Oh your very welcome! Keep the questions coming until your 100% happy with things that what we're here for.
Cheers,
Trevor

[tHeGiNo]

Hey Trevor, I will disagree with you for one reason unless you tape it down: what happens if the ball goes under the newspapers? A lot of my snakes do this, go under the newspapers that is. If your putting several layers of newspaper to get 95 I am sure the temps are well above 100 at the bottom. If they end up going down there they are cooked are they not?

[BoidKeeper]

I do have a ball that does go under the newspaper you're right that can be a risk. None of my heat pads are stuck to the glass so the surface is not as hot as if they were. It's still hot but not as hot. All but one of mine stay on the surface of their substrate and use their hide boxes. Other then raising the tank up to let air flow under and around the heat pad, which should be done anyway, the only other thing I can think of make sure the heat pad is not stuck to the glass. Using a rehostate is a good idea too. All my heat pads are on dimmers. There is always the risk of a snake getting to the surface of the glass but what else are we supposed to do. Tanks need substrate and almost all can be crawled under. So given that substrate must be used and the snake is supposed to stay on top then I still say measure the temp on the surface of the substrate. Other wise if you measure the surface temp of the glass and then add news paper on top of that the snake may be too cold and then go looking for that hot spot that may just be too hot with out anything between him and the heat source.
Trevor

[Dev_Man]

Thanks guys, but i decided not to use newspaper instead i found a thin piece of rubber it's about 1/4" thick which i placed on top of the heat pad so i don't have to worry about him getting under it, the temp right now is between 90 and 92F :D , i almost forgot to add that there is also cypress on top ov that piece of rubber. Thanks for the concerns The_Gino.

[Corey Woods]

I've had sick balls sit at 115F for months at a time without problems (they had no choice).....you should be fine.

Corey