Temperature concerns

[groote]

I am getting a baby ball python soon and I have the below setup:

34 quart plastic bin (http://www.homedepot.com/buy/sterilite-34-qt-latch-box-19262r06.html#.UJ3HRMXA_Qg)

6 x 8 inch UTH (http://www.amazon.com/Zoo-Med-ReptiTherm%C2%AE-Under-Heater/dp/B0002AQCKA)

The UTH says it is for 10-20 gallons, and 34 quarts is only 8.5 gallons, so I thought it might actually be too hot. But it seems like it might be too cold. Directly over the heat pad the temperature is just a bit above 90 degrees, which I think is good. However, the temperature rapidly drops off, and is in the 80's along the edge of the heat pad. The rest of the tank seems to be about 75 degrees, and the farthest point from the heat pad is 72 degrees.

Is this too cold? Could I be measuring the temperature wrong? It seems like the tank ought to be hotter.

[Lankyrob]

That sounds like a good gradient, the snake can then choose where it wants to be :)

[KORBIN5895]

Idk Rob. 72° is kinda cold.

[EmbraceCalamity]

"What temperature should my Ball Python be kept at?
A temperature gradient of 78/82 - 90/95 works well for most Ball Pythons."
http://www.ssnakess.com/forums/python-regius/49236-ball-python-faq-sheet-check-here-first.html

~Maggot

[Lankyrob]

Idk Rob. 72° is kinda cold.

It wsa late when i posted i saw the 75 but not the 72. I agree 72 is too low :)

[groote]

I turned on the heat in my apartment and now I am getting 78 degrees in the cold end and about 90 right over the heat mat. This (http://www.amazon.com/Zoo-Med-Economy-Thermometer-Humidity/dp/B004PBB1JE) is what I have been using to measure the temperature. I just place it on the floor of the tub.

I got my ball python today and he has been hanging out in the cool end and not going into his hides. I am concerned the temperature is wrong so I will go to Walmart tomorrow and get one of these (http://www.walmart.com/ip/Acu-Rite-Indoor-Outdoor-Thermometer/896347). Hopefully that will work better as I can stick the probe right above the heat pad.

[MoreliAddict]

Are you using a thermostat?

[KORBIN5895]

Are you using a thermostat?

I think this maybe a bit redundant... I am assuming not.

[groote]

I have one of these thermostats.
Amazon.com: Hydrofarm MTPRTC Digital Thermostat For Heat Mats: Patio, Lawn & Garden (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000NZZG3S)

However, I am not going to plug it in until I can verify that it is too hot in the tub, because it can only lower the temperature even more.

[groote]

So I got my digital thermometer and stuck the probe under the newspaper above the heat mat. It read 120 degrees! No wonder the poor little guy was staying in the cold end. I attached the thermostat to the UTH and taped the probe to the bottom of the UTH. I set the temp to 95 degrees because I figured the temp will go down a bit after it travels past the tank wall and newspaper.

I am getting a reading of 94 degrees and dropping. Already the snake has moved from the cold side to the hot side and is sitting above the UTH.

[groote]

He just went back to the cool side again. He seems to like hiding in the corner behind his hide instead of inside it. The thermometer is also there and is giving a temp of 74 degrees. Hopefully this is the air temp and the floor is warmer (I have it standing up, there is no second probe to stick on the ground). Does anyone have any suggestions for how I can improve this situation?

[Lankyrob]

You cant make a snake use its whole tubm all you can do is provide the gradient and let it get on with it.

Dont forget there are many hours where you aer not watching it where it could be doing hula hoops and breakdancing all over the tub ;)