Enclousre Heating

[josefg]

Which is better to heat my 31"x15"x16" (LxWxH) enclosure, a heat lamp or heat tape (I will put a kingsnake in it).

Thanks

Josef

[Big Mike]

More questions..........just kidding. The more you ask the more you will find out. Keep it up.

You can use a heat lamp or heat tape/under tank heater or both. I like to use an under tank heater (U.T.H.) because kingsnakes are terrestrial and spend their time on the ground. Remember, heat on one side of the enclosure so the snake can pick which side it want to be on.

You could have the UTH on all the time and have the lamp on only during the day. You could go with only the lamp during the day depending on the air temp where you live. How hot is it in Malta? You may not even need to heat your snake's enclosure.

The most important thing is that you monitor the temperature and keep it within the safe range. The best way is to use a temperature controller in conjunction with your heating device. Depending on how much you want to spend, there are lots of options for heat control.

[josefg]

Thank Mike

In Malta the temperature is hot in summer 73 - 86 degrees F while in winter it falls to about 54F (rarely falls less. in my 20 year life, i've seen the snow only once)

I am going to use a temperature controller for sure as i will be at university during the day (i.e i cannot monitor the temperature all the time).

Josef

[Bryan Self]

It would depend on what the cage is made out of. Plastics use heat tape. Wood I like CHE, ceramic heat elements. I always use a thermostat to control my temps otherwise accidents can happen.
Good luck

[Cidah]

Originally posted by josefg
Thank Mike

In Malta the temperature is hot in summer 73 - 86 degrees F while in winter it falls to about 54F (rarely falls less. in my 20 year life, i've seen the snow only once)

I am going to use a temperature controller for sure as i will be at university during the day (i.e i cannot monitor the temperature all the time).

Josef

Dude, that's not hot. It gets 110 here in the summers..

[josefg]

lol. Thanks ppl

the cage is made up of glass. What do you recommend?

Josef

[Linds]

I agree with Mike, being that they are terrestrial snakes I'd go with a bottom heating element such as a UTH controlled via rheostat or other control device :)

[josefg]

as suggested by both Linds and Mike, i bought i bought a UTH.

I have only one question about it (hopefully :) )

After talking to the owner of the best petshop in Malta, he suggested that i use an 11"x11" (as mentioned previously the base of my tank is 31"x15") heat mat which i bought from him. Due to the temperature gradient required in the enclosure, i will put the mat on 1 side of the enclosure not in the middle, as Mike suggester (ppl reading this post will think that i am your disciple Mike :rolleyes: ) . So far everything clear, my only query is:

Where, in the enclosure, should i put the sensor of the themostat? I beleive that the most sensible place would be the middle of the enclosure but i worry that than on the 'hot' side would get too hot. What do you think?

Josef

[Big Mike]

I am starting to feel a little like the puppet master pulling the strings...lol...but there is no need to praise me. I'm just one of many people here that enjoy helping others take good care of their pets. You deserve the praise because you are doing all the research before you even get your snake. Keep up the good work, I'm sure your snake will be extremely we cared for.

You are right, put the sensor for the thermostat right on top of the heater. You want to control the hot spot so that the snake can not burn itself. A snake will sit on a hot spot until it feels that it's whole body temp is adequate. Even if that means that the hottest part of it's body gets burned. That's why they should never be allowed to come into contact with a light bulb.

If you give your snake a warm side of about 80-85 then it can warm up when it wants and then cool off when it wants. Even if the air temp gets cold it can just stay on the warm side. It's good to monitor the temps on both sides every so often. A small thermometer on the floor of the enclosure is good for that. If you feel that the overall temp is too cold but the hot spot is still at 80-85 then you can use a light bulb or heat lamp and put it around the middle (over top of the tank). That way you still have a warm to cool gradient without over heating the warm side.

[josefg]

Thanks again master... I meant Mike ;)