Heating

[Albino Billy]

Ok, I have a question... I got a ZooMed uth tonight and went to set it up and in reading the directions it says to prevent burns put a layer of reptile carpet down above where the heater is and then the aspen. I didn't know I needed to do that and now I don't know what I should do until I can get to the pet store to buy the carpet tomorrow. Does anyone have any suggestions? Would it be safe to put a layer of newspaper or a towel down under the aspen just for tonight? :shrugs:

 

[Roy Munson]

Ok, I have a question... I got a ZooMed uth tonight and went to set it up and in reading the directions it says to prevent burns put a layer of reptile carpet down above where the heater is and then the aspen. I didn't know I needed to do that and now I don't know what I should do until I can get to the pet store to buy the carpet tomorrow. Does anyone have any suggestions? Would it be safe to put a layer of newspaper or a towel down under the aspen just for tonight? :shrugs:

Nah, just use aspen. Place a thermometer on the surface of the substrate, and layer tile, towels, newspaper, whatever between the uth and the tank bottom until you get the desired temp in the tank. You also need to be aware of changes in ambient room temps. If you set it up in a room that's in the 70s now, but will be in the 80s in the summer, you'll need to adjust accordingly. Good luck.

 

[Albino Billy]

Thanks Dean... So, I don't need the repti carpet at all??? The uth came with one of those thermometer sticks you put on the inside of the viv. I put that in and so far it says the viv is at 80 degrees. I have this all set up in my bedroom and it stays pretty cold in there, hubby turns the air down to like 68 or so at night. So, inside the tank, right over where I have the heater set up, I can just put newspaper or a couple of floor tiles to keep between the heater and the aspen??? <-- Want to get this right and not burn Billy The package said you could mount this heater on the side of the tank. That wouldn't be good for a snake though would it???

 

[King21]

Thanks Dean... So, I don't need the repti carpet at all??? The uth came with one of those thermometer sticks you put on the inside of the viv. I put that in and so far it says the viv is at 80 degrees. I have this all set up in my bedroom and it stays pretty cold in there, hubby turns the air down to like 68 or so at night. So, inside the tank, right over where I have the heater set up, I can just put newspaper or a couple of floor tiles to keep between the heater and the aspen??? <-- Want to get this right and not burn Billy The package said you could mount this heater on the side of the tank. That wouldn't be good for a snake though would it???

80 degrees sounds just about right, they should be 75 - 85. I just use aspen and nothing else. If you put a hide above the uth your snake will not feel a need to bury under the aspen so there is no need to worry about burns. Even without the hide, they will not ant to burrow below the aspen where the uth is because it will feel too hot for them.

I don't know why you would need to use floor tiles. The uth is designed so that there is no need to worry about burns is a basic substrate, like aspen, is used.

****Also, DO NOT put the uth on the side, that will do no good. Snakes need to have a heat source from the bottom to aid in digestion.

So I would just put the uth under the tank (hence the name ) and put a layer of aspen or other substrate over that. Dont worry about getting the carpet to disperse the heat, aspen would be doing the same thing.

 

[Albino Billy]

Ok Alex, I was just worried because I put the newspaper by itself and it felt a bit too warm and he seemed antsy in his hide. He was moving constantly in there. So, I put a small thin towel doubled over and then a few layers of newspaper on top of that and now it feels comfy even to me. I haven't put the aspen in yet because I didn't want to have to keep moving the aspen around to do all this layering so he wouldn't get too hot. They are pretty smart though aren't they? He won't stay in there if it is too warm for him will he?
Yeah, I had thought it was a bit odd for the thing to suggest putting it on the side of the tank. How the heck is he supposed to get warm to digest that way? I guess that is for lizards and such...

 

[Muggle]

If you put a hide above the uth your snake will not feel a need to bury under the aspen so there is no need to worry about burns. Even without the hide, they will not ant to burrow below the aspen where the uth is because it will feel too hot for them.

Mabie it's just mine but they like to push the aspen out of the hides and lay on top of the UTH. I have paper towels over the UTH just to be safe (they haven't figured out how to get under those yet ). Also don't count on your snake knowing how hot is to hot. They have primitive nervise systems and will burn before they realise they need to pull away. But yeah, there's more then one way to skin the cat. Do what works for you (and your slithery friends).

 

[your_only_nightmare]

i keep my heat mat in the viv but i wrap it up in two layers of paper towel just to be safe, its cheaper than reptile carpet and it works!!

 

[your_only_nightmare]

i also tape the paper towel down with masking tape

 

[BeckyG]

DOn't trust them stick on thermometers. If you have them on the side of your tank, then they are measuring the air temp. The substrate surface will be way hotter than that--even burning hot. Do like Dean said and use a digital thermometer with a probe that you can place directly on the substrate. I also get a lamp dimmer for mine, so I can control the temps better. Good luck

 

[ayasha]

Burns and health

Wow, some interesting advice there..

Be very carefull. It is entirely possible for the little fella to get a burn

1. Thermometer with a probe.
2. Towels (cloth not paper) etc.. (some glue ceramic tiles in the bottom of the Viv) between the UTH and the Viv
3. Spot test temps; on the glass (in the Viv), surface test of aspen and in the hides (2 at least)
4. Aspen will NOT ensure that your Corn will not Burrow.. they often burrow in the wild for prey. They WILL burrow. It is also an excellent source of exercise.

Temperatures and thermoregulation is very important for herps. Depending on the size of Viv I advise a minimum of 2 hides (warm and cool zones) and even a 3rd in the temperate zone in a larger Viv.

So you have to concerns, burns and regulation.

 

[Albino Billy]

Will a regular kids digital thermometer work? I had put a thin layer of newspaper and judged with my hand til I had it the thickness and warmth that felt like it was just a little warm if I kept my hand on it for a few minutes, then I put the aspen on top of that and then his hide. Is this sufficient or should I go with the towel under the aspen??

 

[Albino Billy]

Oh, and I do have two hides. It is a large vivarium and I put one down where his uth is, and the other at the cool end.

 

[ayasha]

Don't trust your hands

I don’t recommend it (kids Therm). When folks mention a ‘probe’ it is generally a probe on a length of wire so you can easily surface test temps. Temperatures (Viv conditions in general) are very important for Herps. We have Herps form different regions (North America,South and Africa) of the world and spend a great deal of time researching their natural habitats.

I also spend time spot testing temps in each zone as well as in hides. As the seasons change and heat and humidity level rise, I will test more.

Your hand won’t do much considering you’re 98 and he’s 80-85 body temp. What’s warm to you, is different for the snake.

On the bath towel, put it on top of the UTH, then surface test the glass. While they ‘can’ survive 90+, I’d keep it below 90 if at all possible.

 

[Albino Billy]

Surface test the glass over the uth?? Where can I get this probe? I should be able to get it at the pet store shouldn't I?
What temp should his cool side be?

 

[Lennycorn]

Surface test the glass over the uth?? Where can I get this probe? I should be able to get it at the pet store shouldn't I?
What temp should his cool side be?

Anywhere, W-Mart and such, petstore too. Indoor/outdoor thermometer is what your looking for.

 

[ayasha]

Probe Thermometer

Hi something such as THIS; should do fine.

I don’t actually shop there, BTW, I just Googled ‘reptile supply’…

As far as surface tests.. YES.

1. Test ON THE GLASS
2. test on the Apsen (hot cool and temperate zones)
3. Test in hides.

That should give you a good picture of the over-all Viv environment. Once you establish the temps (under lighting in the day and night) you should be good to go. Once summer arrives and OUR environment changes, do it all again.

As I said, no more than 90 on the glass. There are many reasons they burrow, so it WILL come into contact with the glass at some point.

Substrate surfaces; 90-80-77 Are the daytime zones I use. Although the 90, is a TOP end number for me.
Hides; 85(to 80)-80-75

These are just averages in my Viv for my North American, temperate zone dwellers. As far as humidity; 40-60% is good.

 

[Albino Billy]

Ok, looks good, and I will get one and get the temps just right The temp on the glass above the uth is definitely over 90 degrees. I can feel it and know that. That is why I put the newspaper and I put it down in such a way that he can't burrow under it.

 

[ayasha]

Getting there

Yeah, as I mentioned, put it on TOP of the UTH (between the UTH and glass). Why take a chance of the snake getting to the glass.

 

[Albino Billy]

Yeah, as I mentioned, put it on TOP of the UTH (between the UTH and glass). Why take a chance of the snake getting to the glass.

I guess I am just not following well today. LOL! I can't put anything between the uth and the glass. The uth is stuck to the bottom (underneath) of my viv and then there is just the glass on the inside of the viv. That is why I put the paper on top of the glass. He can't get to the glass the way I have it set up. Then I put the aspen... Not good enough?

 

[pasam]

I dont like the UTH. We were turned onto Heat tape with a dimmer switch and it is great. The UTH dont seem to be consistant. They do seem to get a little hot. I dont know I use the heat tape and it is great.