Heating Question

Adam87 · 07-14-11, 03:01 PM

Alright so I have been doing a lot of research on heating and have now built a rheostat so I can regulate a constant temp of 91 on the warm side of the tank. My setup as of now is a UTH that is actually mounted on the side of the tank because the tank sits on a wooden dresser and I don't want any risk of a fire. This does not seem to heat the tank enough so I have also added a ceramic lamp into the mix and this supplies enough heat to get the warm side up to temps. My question is, with the setup that I have, where would be the best place to put the probe for my thermometer? If I put it right next to the heating pad it reads almost 100 degrees. About 4 inches away it drops down to low nineties. I currently have it laying on top of Loki's hide and it is reading 91. Any suggestions you all could make would be great.

Also, on another note, I was wondering if it is really necessary to have bulb guards if the lamp is not actually inside the cage. It sits on the top of the cage and Loki never really comes into contact with it. The only place that it actually comes into contact with the enclosure is around the rim of the dome.

youngster · 07-14-11, 03:03 PM

I can't really help you too much but what kind of snake is it?

Jay · 07-14-11, 03:04 PM

You should get a thermostat.

youngster · 07-14-11, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jay0133

You should get a thermostat.

Doesn't a rheostat basically serve the same function?

Jay · 07-14-11, 03:08 PM

Yes they both control temperatures. A thermostat does it automatically, a rheostat you have to set it to correct temperatures and depending where you are from this could be a hassle with the room temperatures fluctuation.

Gungirl · 07-14-11, 03:13 PM

I have my UTH on the bottom of a viv that sits on wood with a little room for extra heat to vent out the back.. as long as you use the little rubber feet it comes with and a thermostat you will have no worry of fire. If its hot enough to catch anything on fire its FAR to hot for your snake.

Adam87 · 07-14-11, 04:44 PM

Going to get a thermostat soon but I'm going to wait for a little while. The cage he is in now is only temporary. But yeah... where is the ideal place to measure the temp?

He's a het hypo ball python by the way :-)

mykee · 07-14-11, 07:47 PM

100 degrees is not going to set your dresser on fire.
400 degrees, yes. Not 100 degrees.
Put your heat pad back where it belongs; under the tank (allow for some air flow too) and put the probe on the heat pad and adjust accordingly.