is it ok now?

[Tigergenesis]

Sand boas burrow - they need to have the proper temps available to them when they burrow. They don't bask. Warm side under the substrate on top of the bottom of the tank should be 90+. My 3 boas have their warm side at a minimum of 92. I've found that I've had better feeding success at the warmer temps. A rheostat is like a dimmer in that it let's you lower the temps a bit. You keep mentioning only one temperature - are you checking the temperature on one side or the middle? Are you providing a temperature gradient?

[Bartman]

I have the lamp on one end of the tank...so im putting the probe under the substrate on that side because i wanted to see what temps im getitng on that end.

[Tigergenesis]

Ok, well what are the temps on the other end (under the substrate)? Those are important as well.

[Bartman]

from 80 to 82 ish..sometimes lower...

[Matt_K]

hey man, Have you considered dumping the whole aquarium thing for now?? As Roy stated in one of his posts before, keeping them in a small container is do-able.. When i purchased mine from Roy, i kept them in the same Deli Cup that he gave them to me in (the same one's he raises his babies in) and i had no problems with them at all when it came to feeding or anything. Has your little one eaten as of yet for you??? If not, maybe you should considering just dumping the tank until he gets bigger.. By the looks of your pics, that tanks what, a 15 gallon?? And your snake is just a tiny little thing, i personally would switch to a deli cup or even something like a shoebox rubbermaid until he gets bigger (or a bit smaller).. Just a thought.

Tigergenesis: could you please do us a favor and shorten your signature, we only allow 4 Lines of text in them Thanks..

[Bartman]

Nope, hasnt eatin...I think your right, ill just do that..but how would i heat it..still with a heat pad from the outside right? But wouldnt it be to small to get a gradient??

[The Green Mile]

The Graduient would be achieved vertically use about 2-3"of betta chip, for optium results (as I said before)

Brian

[Bartman]

Okay so instead of using a rubbermaid i thought to use this tiny, i think 5 gal tank i have. Its half the size of the 10 im using now in width and length and is only a little bit lower in height. So could i use this to house the sand boa?

If i was, id get the UTH and put about 3 inches of substrate. Is that fine?

heres pics of the possible new small tank on top of the current sand boa tank.

[tHeGiNo]

I think what they are trying to say is that the smaller enclosures permits a more secure environment for your snake. Even your 10 gallon is functional, however it ill be easier to establish the snake in something such as a deli cup or small deli. So therefore my opinion is yes, that tank is sufficient - however a smaller enclosure may make the job easier. As mentioned, a thick layer of substrate is necessary to permit a gradient.

[Bartman]

Can i just do this so i dont have to buy a UTH and make a lid for the smaller tank. I think its a great idea and it gives a heat gradient of sides instead of height.
Heres a really bad pic i made in paint..



Also if i used a uth, imo it really wouldnt make sense. If a sand boa was in the wild if it wanted to get warmer wouldnt it move up toward the ground where the surface of the ground is warmer from the sun..and then if it wanted to cool off it would dig deaper into the ground where the suns heat doesnt hit? So i didnt use the lamp at the side of the small tank, would it make sense to still go from the top?

Btw, im getting the right temps now so i dont think i need UTH, and its not that im stubborn but id rather save the 20 bucks and just use what i already have if i can, and to me it makes sense..anyone agree?

[asphyxia]

*bangs head against table*

Brian

[Bartman]

alright, so im guessing its a bad idea?

[Matt_K]

Bro, Deli cup ALL the way.. If you want something a little bigger, go to your nearest dollar store and grab one of the sandwich containers.. Trust me, you WONT be sorry man... It will save you a world of headaches..