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Heating

Is that the tape that actually sticks along the back of the viv? A guy I ran in to last night at the pet store told me they use these long strips that go down the back of the viv. Though I thought belly heat is better for the snake. I haven't seen any heat tape. Does it go underneath??
 
Tiles?

Hmmmm…

I’d like others to get in on this, but to me I wouldn’t take the chance. I don’t use the ‘sticky’ to secure it. Thus I can still get in between.

With it stuck on you can put ceramic tiles in the bottom. I have heard of this method in the past. I would silicone them in place (use aquarium grade silicone, not Tub and tile, lol)

Controlling the uth temps is important as they can vary greatly as mentioned.
 
Ok it isn't just you. Lots of these posts aren't making any sense to me either. Let me attempt to clear things up a bit.

First of all, Ashaya, the UTH should be stuck to the OUTSIDE of the tank, not the inside. If properly installed, the snake wouldn't be able to get to it anyway. If you have yours inside, remove it and install on the outside. That way, you won't have to worry about the snake getting under it.

Secondly, hides will not stop a snake from burrowing. It is instinctive for certain species to burrow, and they will do it whether there are hides in the tank or not. Mine will even crawl under paper towel or newspaper.

You don't need anything but your aspen in the tank. Even over the UTH. What you do need is a device to regulate the heat the UTH puts out. I use inexpensive plug in lamp dimmers from Walmart. Heat tape is an option for those with rack systems, but for one snake, a UTH is fine. With a dimmer or thermostat installed, the UTH will not get too hot.

If your house temps fluctuate, your tank temps will also fluctuate. This is not the fault of the UTH. Heat tape will do this also, unless it is on a thermostat. A UTH on a thermostat will stay the same temp, just like heat tape will. (WHy don't they make UTH with thermostats already installed?)

Finally, some people mount their UTHs to a ceramic tile. The reason they do this is so that if they get a new viv, they can more easily move the UTH, since it is stuck to the tile, not the glass of the viv. The tile does NOT go inside the viv, but rather under it. If you do this, you will also need to elevate the viv so that it sits level.

Other than that, your tank setup sounds fine to me. Remember, don't make things more complicated than you have to. All my vivs have just aspen (or EcoEarth for my ball pythons), two to three hides, the UTH on a dimmer, a digital thermometer with a probe, a screen top, and a water dish. That's all you really need.
 
Thank you, thank you, thank you.... You cleared up quite a bit. So, with the dimmer, I won't have to do all this thinning and thickening newspaper or towels below the aspen! That is awesome! I am going to Walmart right now to get the probe and the dimmer.

Yeah, that was my mental question,,, Why the heck haven't they come out with the uth's with temp controls on them? It doesn't seem they would be at a loss for selling them with all the reptile owners... LOL!
 
Becky..silly girl..I neve said to put it IN the tank..lol. I just don't use the stickies. ON THE OUTSIDE. So I can regulate thermal dispersion techniques (like that one? lol)

As far as the tiles inside or outside... it's personal. There is no 'WAY' I lurk on many forums and own numerous books and magazines. It varies.
 
Ok y'all... I was told a couple of days ago by one of this forum's very knowlegable members to mist the viv every so often. I live in Florida and it is pretty humid here anyway, do I need to do this? And if I do, how often should I and will it mess up my aspen??
 
Misting

Well I am certainly no ‘expert’ but, humidity should range between 40-60% ( though in the wild, I would assume they see higher).

So misting is more important in spring and fall (and winter if you don’t lower for hibernation). Summer, just keep an eye on it. Some of our African Herps (desert dwellers) need some reduction of humidity in the summer.

As far as side effects, just ensure there is no build up (ergo a misting device) of moisture that can lead to bacteria growth.
 
Okie dokie... I got the probe and it will attach to the viv. Is this safe? I would think I should just use it to do the tests and get it out of there until I need it again. Thoughts??? :shrugs:
 
I actually have mine 'stuck' on the back side and keep the probe at gound level in the temperate zone in the middle of the Viv. just reassuring for me.
 
Ok, I used the dimmer switch to get my uth to 90 degrees ON TOP of the glass over the uth. Now, once I put my aspen back down, that will bring the temp down a bit won't it? Is that ok?
 
In south Florida you really probably don't have to mist, but doing it now and again might be okay. I'm sure some south FLA owners here could tell you more. They sell hydrometers if you want to check the humidity, but I used to live in FLA a long time ago and I remember how humid it is. Here in Texas (where I mist), it gets really warm a lot of the year, so I actually turn the uth's off for a few hours to regulate temps. Of course a dimmer or rheostat, would work great, but I haven't gotten one yet, and my system is working well.
I put one piece of paper on top of the glass, and under the aspen. This has worked great for me. With a new flat piece of paper on top of clean glass, (then put the aspen on top afterwards), I have never had a snake (that I know of) burrow underneath the paper. The paper's edges are smooth and thin. Newspaper is a little different. Reptile carpet is bad because it gets yucky underneath.
"Albino Billy" - it is great to see that you are trying to do everything right, and that you care so much about your new snake. :cheers:
Although some people here use slightly different methods, and some areas of the country and set ups require different things, most agree on the basics. The FAQ sections at the beginning of the posting pages are good sources.

And btw, ayasha, (whoever you are, because I've never seen you on here before), most here would agree that putting a uth on the inside is never a good idea.
 
LOL! I figured you would read back and see that... Hehehehehe... If the temp ON the glass is 90, is that ok? And with the aspen it will be cooler on top won't it? Help help help before I put him back in...
 
Try to get it down to 85 degrees. Cool side 70-75 warm side 80-85.
You have to take some time to read the FAQ at the top of husbandry and Basic care and check the top of each form for the same. The answer to your questions have be answer there too.
 
Yes, 90' on the glass is the maximum you want it. I usally keep mine at aroud 87, more or less, on the glass. On the surface substrate it will be much cooler. You don't need to worry about sticking the probe down. I wouldn't anyway. It makes the viv a lot easier to clean when you can move it out of the way. Yes, the snake will also move it around, but just put it back.

If you've already stuck it down, don't worry about it. It won't hurt that way either.

As for misting, I live in Mississippi, and seldom, if ever, mist my tanks. Corns are native to this area (yours too) and do quite well in the ambient humidity. You may mist once or twice a day while your snake is in shed, but I find that, except in the depth of "winter", even that isn't necessary.

My avatar is a snow corn. She is almost two years old, and named, unimaginatively, Snow.
 
Thanks SO much. Y'all have been such a tremendous help! And Miss Snow is absolutely GORGEOUS!
Nope, haven't stuck it down, figured I would just put it in when I need it.
 
Hi Everyone
You Guys are great, i've just learnt loads reading your posts. My set up is fine and i haven't really had any probs apart from the crap weather we have in the uk so my temperatures go mad sometimes.
I was worried about Humidity though, well i don't need to now i have read your posts :)

Cheers you clever people :cheers:

Isobel
 
The only problem I am having is with this digital probe. I thought I had the heat on the glass above the uth at about 88, then it went up a little as I was reading it, I don't want him to burn because, yes, since adding the aspen, he LOVES this stuff and burrows all over the place. It's neat to watch. So, I turned down the heat a bit, then it went too low and getting this thing adjusted with as slow as this digital probe is, is driving me crazy. :crazy02: I thought it would go right to the temp like a regular thermometer and instead this thing goes up a digit and then down a digit and then goes up a few degrees and then starts that all over again. UGH! I am taking him out today and putting him in a different holder or pillow case until I can get that thing just right. Geez, I am so bad about this snake you would think it was my infant. LOL! I guess that's what love for a pet snake does to ya. He's our new 4 foot baby... Hehehehehe...
 
I have the same irritation with those digital thermometers. But with time and patience, you'll get it right.
 
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