The Cold Side...

[whatclaptrap]

Hi guys,

So I'm setting up my viv and doing a dry run for a couple of days before I get my snake. I'm a little concerned, though. The ambient temperature in my apartment is around 84 degree fahrenheit. I'll be getting a spotted python, and I've been told they like 80 degrees on the cool end and 90 on the hot. Should I be worried about cooling down the cool side? And if so, how?

I've got snake mommy jitters, haha. Any help would be appreciated.

[ilovemypets1988]

is the viv a wooden one or glass, plus u will find that vivs will generally be lower in temp than room temp anyway, your best bet is to just monitor it during the dry run and see what temps u get, if you dont get the temp low enough, you can get small rep fans that are safe for snakes

[TeaNinja]

have you checked the temps of both sides with a digital thermometer or anything? how are you heating the cage?

[Ch^4]

is the viv a wooden one or glass, plus u will find that vivs will generally be lower in temp than room temp anyway, your best bet is to just monitor it during the dry run and see what temps u get, if you dont get the temp low enough, you can get small rep fans that are safe for snakes

Could you please explain? The Zeroth Law of Thermodynamics shouldn't allow this....but it's just a physical law. :wacky:

I agree on fans as long as they're not within the viv.

[ilovemypets1988]

i have found this with my wooden viv, it will drop 2oc than the room temp, this is becoz the wood doesnt only insulate the heat within the viv but also helps to cool the inside down.

if you want, you can do an experiment with a small wooden box and a car by putting the box in the back seat or boot of a car on a very warm day and you will find that tyhe box is cooler than the ambient temp of the cars interior.

[marionsclan]

plus u will find that vivs will generally be lower in temp than room temp anyway,

I found the tank's temp to be higher than room or equal to room when I don't turn on the heat lamp and the a/c is running.

[whatclaptrap]

It's a glass viv, digital hygrometer/thermometer inside, and on the other side I'm taking the temperature off of the heating mat thermostat probe. Right now the tank's not being heated at all, but I have a heating mat - one of the sticky zoo-med ones.

[ilovemypets1988]

in that case get reptile cooling fans, they come with a plastic mesh guard over them and are purely designed for reptiles such as snakes, lizards and so on

[ilovemypets1988]

these are the fans im talking about: Aquarium Cooling Fans : Forttex (http://www.forttex.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=19)

[Ch^4]

To the OP, you could run a home-made swamp cooler: put (cold) water in a pan and place it in front of a fan so that the air passes over. The water will evaporate, which will in turn cool the air. However, it will raise the humidity. I don't recommend putting ANY electromechanical device in with your herp. IMHO.

i have found this with my wooden viv, it will drop 2oc than the room temp, this is becoz the wood doesnt only insulate the heat within the viv but also helps to cool the inside down.

if you want, you can do an experiment with a small wooden box and a car by putting the box in the back seat or boot of a car on a very warm day and you will find that tyhe box is cooler than the ambient temp of the cars interior.

The Zeroth Law of Thermodynamics is exactly that, a law. It is not a theory. Countless experiments proving thermodynamic equilibrium are the reason it is a law. This is assuming that everything has reached a steady state and this does not apply to transient conditions.

Sorry, not trying to be disruptive or argumentative, but this cannot be disputed. It's science! :D