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Heating Imbalance?

W

Warthog32332

New member
Hello fellow keepers of corns.. Wow that's a.. Bland greeting... ANYWAY, I am just starting out in keeping corn snakes, I got a tank and set up for Christmas, still a few things I need to get to complete the set up but hopefully I'll be getting my first corn this week, I plan to name him Xerxes if you're wondering. Anyway down to my issue, trying to keep my costs low my parents purchased me a starter kit tank thing, despite me having ample funds to go out and purchase my own kit, I decided to use it cause, hey, it was free for me. And I figure you know, what the heck? So my first red flag is it says its geared towards desert reptiles and I'm like "Oh crap." But upon setting up the lamps and substrate (Aspen) and everything it works fine except for one issue. So there are two lamps, both with a ceramic shade. One is a incandescent, I believe.. 60 Watt? I could be wrong. (I have a 10 gal tank). And another black-light. I don't know its wattage. I would like to switch between them to create the normal day-night cycle patterns but the issue is, during the day, my incandescent heats it with a pretty acceptable gradient, about 82°F on the warm end and 76 or 78°F on the cool end. I figure that's about acceptable. My house usually stays around 74°F anyway. However the black-light heats the ENTIRE tank up to about 86°F end to end. How can I create day-night cycle without the black-light destroying the temperature gradient? Is there anything I can put in the tank that is easily available to sort of insulate it a little bit? Any ideas anyone? Thanks for the read.
 
Also make sure to buy a thermostat to regulate your UTH so it doesn't get too hot [emoji4]


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sian.kelly said:
Also make sure to buy a thermostat to regulate your UTH so it doesn't get too hot [emoji4]


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Click to expand...

Welp, I considered that but upon reading the care sheet provided to me by daddio207 it says that thermostats can be dangerous as they don't always shut off immediately and can vary the temperature quite a bit which is undesirable. So I think I'll balance out the temperature with substrate :3
 
Without a thermostat, it will get incredibly hot and dangerous. Yes, your snake will probably move if it's too hot but what if it's that hot all the time? They need a hot spot of the appropriate temperature to aid in digestion and if it's too hot that they never sit on their hot, they won't digest their food properly.
Substrate will not balance out the temperature as much you think it will, you need a thermometer. If you get a good one, you won't have problems with varied temperatures. The one I currently use shuts off at 31oC and turn back on at 29oC.

You are honestly much safer using a thermostat and you're snake will be happier for it. I hope I don't come off as rude but I do think this is an important part of equipment that you need


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sian.kelly said:
Without a thermostat, it will get incredibly hot and dangerous. Yes, your snake will probably move if it's too hot but what if it's that hot all the time? They need a hot spot of the appropriate temperature to aid in digestion and if it's too hot that they never sit on their hot, they won't digest their food properly.
Substrate will not balance out the temperature as much you think it will, you need a thermometer. If you get a good one, you won't have problems with varied temperatures. The one I currently use shuts off at 31oC and turn back on at 29oC.

You are honestly much safer using a thermostat and you're snake will be happier for it. I hope I don't come off as rude but I do think this is an important part of equipment that you need


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Hmm alright. Much obliged for the info. It's so confusing getting into all of this as it feels like I have about 50 different pages telling me 50 different things. But I'm figuring it out.
 
I got my first corn in February and i was so confused as well, took me a long time learn things. This forum has been incredibly for me and I hope you find it helpful as well [emoji4] good luck with your new snake!


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sian.kelly said:
I got my first corn in February and i was so confused as well, took me a long time learn things. This forum has been incredibly for me and I hope you find it helpful as well [emoji4] good luck with your new snake!


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Thank you good sir. So, should this thermometer: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...451316362&sr=1&keywords=thermostat&pldnSite=1 along with this heating pad: http://www.amazon.com/Zoo-Med-Repti..._UL160_SR108,160_&refRID=1SVTSBMFF3E8CFWV1YJB work out? P.s. I notice you're from scotland. My Heritige is Scotch-Irish. My last name is Campbell :3
 
Yes they both look good! I've never used either of those brands but I've heard people recommend them and say their good [emoji4] haha, Scotland's a great place! It's great so many people can trace their heritage back to here and Ireland [emoji1]


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sian.kelly said:
Yes they both look good! I've never used either of those brands but I've heard people recommend them and say their good [emoji4] haha, Scotland's a great place! It's great so many people can trace their heritage back to here and Ireland [emoji1]


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Alright thanks, hey man we'll keep in touch, if I got anymore questions. Thanks again! :D
 
Warthog32332 said:
Welp, I considered that but upon reading the care sheet provided to me by daddio207 it says that thermostats can be dangerous as they don't always shut off immediately and can vary the temperature quite a bit which is undesirable. So I think I'll balance out the temperature with substrate :3
Click to expand...

Most use a thermostat do to unfounded fear of burning their snake. If it comforts you to use one then go ahead. There are issues as mentioned in the care sheet.
Just an FYI though, the care sheet I provided you was written by the foremost authority in corn snakes today. Just recently we had a discussion over this and he stood by his position he has written in his care sheet.
Either way glad your seeking knowledge on proper care of your future corn snake! :)
 
daddio207 said:
Most use a thermostat do to unfounded fear of burning their snake. If it comforts you to use one then go ahead. There are issues as mentioned in the care sheet.
Just an FYI though, the care sheet I provided you was written by the foremost authority in corn snakes today. Just recently we had a discussion over this and he stood by his position he has written in his care sheet.
Either way glad your seeking knowledge on proper care of your future corn snake! :)
Click to expand...

Well I think I'll go with the thermometer, I figure that the snake can tell when its too hot or not, and if the thermostat varies for only a short period of time it ultimately won't cause any long term effects. But that raises a question, Where do I put the thermostats thermometer probe? Should I keep it inside the warm hide?
 
Warthog32332 said:
Well I think I'll go with the thermometer, I figure that the snake can tell when its too hot or not, and if the thermostat varies for only a short period of time it ultimately won't cause any long term effects. But that raises a question, Where do I put the thermostats thermometer probe? Should I keep it inside the warm hide?
Click to expand...

I meant I'll go with the thermostat. Not Thermometer my bad xD
 
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