Heat mat issues!!!

emwilly90 · 03-08-17, 04:03 PM

I have just set up my tank for my corn snake I'm collecting on Friday.
I have turned on the heat mat, plugged it into a thermostat at 30 degrees Celsius and put the thermostat probe next to the heat mat but it doesn't seem to be getting the vivarium up to temperature, as the digital thermometer I have in the warm end says 23.8 degrees Celsius.
The thermostat has gone off a couple of times already so I moved probe a little further away and the thermostat has stayed on but the digital thermometer is still saying 23.8!
I don't know what the problem is, I've had it on for about 45 mins now. Does anyone have any idea? I have the heat mat on the wall, it is 6" x 11" 7w in a 2ft viv. Is the heat mat too small to heat up this size viv or do I just need to leave it overnight?

I'm new to all of this and I want it to be perfect for my new snake, It's driving me crazy!

**EL Ziggy** · 03-08-17, 04:11 PM

The thermostat probe should be placed between the uth and the bottom of the outside of the enclosure.

emwilly90 · 03-08-17, 04:18 PM

So I have to put the probe outside of the vivarium? But then surely it would be picking up the temperature of the room?
Sorry if I've misunderstood you!

Scubadiver59 · 03-08-17, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by emwilly90

So I have to put the probe outside of the vivarium? But then surely it would be picking up the temperature of the room?
Sorry if I've misunderstood you!

No...between the glass of the vivarium and the UTH...it is sandwiched between the two.

emwilly90 · 03-08-17, 04:23 PM

Ok I will try that.. thank you

emwilly90 · 03-08-17, 04:25 PM

I've done that and the thermostat has just switched off and my thermometer says 23.8 degrees Celsius...

**EL Ziggy** · 03-08-17, 04:57 PM

can you take a picture of your setup?

emwilly90 · 03-08-17, 05:11 PM

Here it is...

**EL Ziggy** · 03-08-17, 05:24 PM

That heat mat shouldn't be inside the enclosure. They don't do anything to raise air temps. They only create a hot spot for the snake to digest and warm itself up. If it's a wooden enclosure you can still try using the uth but if it doesn't get warm enough you may need a different heat source like a CHE, RHP, or heat bulb.

trailblazer295 · 03-10-17, 08:02 AM

To use a UTH inside a wood one you'd need a tile subfloor on top of it to help disperse heat and avoid direct contact. But like ziggy suggest you will likely need top mounted heat source.

eminart · 03-10-17, 08:11 AM

As ziggy said, a UTH really isn't going to raise the air temps in the enclosure.

Honestly, with a corn snake, all you need to do is provide a warm spot (belly heat) and let the rest of the enclosure stay room temperature (assuming it's not winter and very cold in your house).

emwilly90 · 03-13-17, 03:27 AM

I read the instructions that came with the heat mat (habistat) and it said that with a wooden enclosure, it needs to be inside. It explained that I can put it on the floor as long as I only have a very thin layer of substrate on top of it. I have put it underneath the warm hide and it is connected to a thermostat, which is working well. I have been using a separate thermometer to monitor the temperature and it seems to be staying between 28-30 degrees Celsius.
I've had my corn in there for 3 days now, but seems to be spending more time in the cool hide/middle of the enclosure on his tree!
I've done a lot of research on corns and the majority of people have their heat mats on the floor and the rest of the enclosures are room temp (as eminart says).

**EL Ziggy** · 03-13-17, 01:29 PM

You're correct most keepers have their UTHs on the bottom of the enclosures but very few of us place the mats inside our enclosures. As long as your snake doesn't get burned by laying directly on top of the heat mat then I guess it's all good.

trailblazer295 · 03-13-17, 01:37 PM

If the surface of the UTH doesn't get hot to the point it will cause burns because the temp probe is on it then in theory yes you'll be okay.