heating enclosure

[mark129er]

I have a 63 liter rubbermaid container. I placed a heating pad under the substrate but the thermometer still reads about 75 degrees. Also how many holes should I drill in the lid for ventilation and to control humidity. Thanks, Mark

[HetForHuman]

first off what are you using for a thermometer?
second thing is you should not have the heating pad inside the rubbermaid, it should be underneath the rubbermaid on one end.

if you are using one of those stick on aquarium thermometers they are junk, throw it away and go buy yourself an indoor/outdoor digital thermometer with a probe. you can get them at the home depot or any kind of store like that.
you can set the digi thermometer right on top of where the heat source is to get the right reading. or leave the thermometer outside the cage and run the probe inside.

also what kind of heat pad is it?

we need to know a little bit more from you so we can give you better advice.

[mark129er]

OK, the heat pad is a medical heat pad, for sore muscles or whatever. I'll have to get a new thermometer too. I can just leave the thermometer inside the tank? The snake won't eat it?

[HetForHuman]

like i said get a thermometer with a probe, the probe plugs into the thermometer and you can just run the probe into the enclosure.

and no the snake will not eat the thermometer.

is it one of those heat pads with like a low,med,high setting on them? the ones you buy at walmart?

[mark129er]

Yes its like that, is that ok or should I buy something better??

[HetForHuman]

no that is fine i use the same thing.

in my 3'x18"x18" eclosure i have my ball python in it, i have the heat pad underneath set on medium and the hot spot inside the cage i get is 90-91 deg.
so the heat pad is good, you just need a good thermometer. you do not want to get the enclosure too hot.

[mark129er]

You put the pad under the rubbermaid??

[HetForHuman]

Originally posted by mark129er
You put the pad under the rubbermaid??

Yes