Undertank Heater

[RX7-2nr]

ive got a UTH for my ball python. he is about 1600 g. ive read on here a few times that the UTH can get too hot, but i have about a half inch of substrate between where he lays and the UTH. ive measured the temp and it only gets up to about 90 degrees. i was wondering if this is ok? or if i should still get a "rheostat". what is a rheostat anyways?

thanks

[Tim_Cranwill]

90F is fine. You could even go a few degrees warmer... but what is the temp <u>under</u> the substrate and what is the substrate?

[RX7-2nr]

the temp underneath the substrate is probably a lot hotter, but he cant get under it or anything. i have the substrate, and then on top of it- a layer of astroturf-type stuff that i bought from home depot. i think that the substrate is wood chips. i bought it from Petco, so i know its safe.

[Tim_Cranwill]

Originally posted by RX7-2nr
i think that the substrate is wood chips. i bought it from Petco, so i know its safe.

Oh really? What if they are cedar chips?

I'd say....

1. Get a digital thermometer with a probe so you know EXACTLY what the temps are on the hot spot.

2. Loose the carpet/astro turf. It holds bacteria like mad unless you REALLY clean it well.

3. Find out EXACTLY what kind of wood chips you have.


Good luck! :)

[RX7-2nr]

they are not cedar. thats what i meant by "i know they are safe" it said it all over the bag. i should have worded what i wrote better- but of course i have only 5 or so posts, so you take me for a complete newbie :) ive had this snake for almost 3 years. i do know a little bit about it. ;)

i measured the temp of the hotside with the type of thermometer you are talking about. the thermometer is for cooking meat. i layed the probe on the hotspot, and put a book on top of it, to simulate the snakes weight. it only got up to 90 or maybe 92 after 30 minutes.

thanks!

[RX7-2nr]

oh yeah- i have always used the astroturf stuff. what would you suggest using instead? just the wood chips? i take out the astroturf everytime he poops and i spray it really good with a garden hose, but if you say it hold bacteria really well ill just get rid of it.

[marisa]

hahaha because things say so on the bag is NO indication. I am sure you are using something safe but just so you know, its a proven fact pet store products lie on the bag. There is NO group regulating the products. So if they want to put out baking soda paste made with water and claim its for elephant teeth, they can. It doesn't matter if its true or not.

Anyways, I don't like astro turf either. It's like a giant sponge for bacteria IMHO. Anyways you can go all safe wood chips and remove feces with spot cleaning, use paper towel, aspen, cypress multch etc. :)

Marisa

[Tim_Cranwill]

Sorry for the assumption. :)

I would agree with Marisa and use aspen wood shavings or chips. But if you're not too concerned with looks, newspaper is a great substrate.

Those temps sound fine. :)

[mykee]

A rheostat is a device that moderates the amount of power being sent to your heat source, so that you can keep the heat at an even, SAFE temperature. I'm not familiar with your setup, but for all-purpose, practical uses, newsprint is probably one of the best and most user-friendly substrates. It's easy to remove when soiled, cheap, it can't harbour bacteria, cheap, and.... oh yeah, did I mention cheap?