| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| rustyp1974 |
Posted - 06/02/2013 : 17:13:58
Hi everyone,
I'm new to snake keeping & bought my first Royal yesterday after a lot of research. So far she seems very happy & just a little nervous. I'm told she's 8-9 months old & she's about 45cm in length. I've got her in an EXO TERRA large breeding box (41x26x14 cm) with a beech substrate. I'm using a 9 watt heat mat, but don't have a thermostat yet! I have two thermometers & they are reading 28° hot side & 22°c cold side. I also have a hydrometer that reads 60%. I want to get a thermostat but don't know what one to buy. When I bought her the stats they had in the shop started at €60! a bit over my budget, any suggestions would be welcome.
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| 12 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Lotabob |
Posted - 07/02/2013 : 21:06:11
I would allow a few days for everything to settle down, get upto the correct temperature etc, I would say the weekend is a safe bet for you. Good luck, the first feed is always a fun one. |
| rustyp1974 |
Posted - 07/02/2013 : 13:42:15
Hi guys, Thanks for all the advice. I bought & stat today & a much better digital thermometer. I'm still using the 9 watt mat & just getting the right temps. Think I'll get a 12 watt one next week to be on the safe side.
She had a feed last Saturday. Although she has settled in quite well should I leave it until after the weekend to feed her or give it a go anyway? |
| Lotabob |
Posted - 07/02/2013 : 10:02:56
I use livefoodbypost for pretty much everything I buy. Prices are great, and service is even better. This is their thermostat range. The Mat stat is only £18.99, that's a bargain. http://www.livefoodsbypost.co.uk/vivarium-reptile-thermostats-330-c.asp |
| Foremand |
Posted - 07/02/2013 : 08:11:09
eBay it up. :-) few cheapies on there at moment. |
| boomslang |
Posted - 07/02/2013 : 01:16:17
Hello and welcome :) How about getting a stat online?Normally alot cheaper then the shops :) |
| kev 5 |
Posted - 06/02/2013 : 22:25:53
hello and welcome |
| Lotabob |
Posted - 06/02/2013 : 21:57:19
Hi and Welcome to the forum and the wonderful world of reptile keeping.
I will kick off with a small wondering; what type of thermometer are you using? I ask because dial thermometers are only measuring air temperature, to be honest they are a bit on the rubbish side. What is needed (specially with heat mats) is a thermometer that is capable of measuring and monitoring surface temperatures so ideally a digital thermometer with a probe.
As a safety precaution I would personally switch off the heat mat, I've used tiny postage stamp sized heat mats for spiders that give off more than 35oC when not attached to a stat.
If you are using dial thermometers and are getting 28oC then the mat is running far too hot, if its a probe thermometer with the probe on the mat (or as close to the mat as the snake will be able to get to the mat) then the mat is not powerful enough. A few inexpensive changes should have things perfect and safe but for the near future I'd not take any risks with an unstatted mat and provided you dont feed your new snake while there is no stable heat source then there should be no problems letting him drop a bit cold for a day or two.
Anything else you want to know just ask and its a forum rule that you have to post pictures as soon as it is suitable. |
| Fezza |
Posted - 06/02/2013 : 21:44:44
Hi and welcome |
| richard v |
Posted - 06/02/2013 : 21:26:56
Hi and welcome, I use to use a 12watt heat meat mat with a habistat thermostat worked perfectly. |
| rustyp1974 |
Posted - 06/02/2013 : 21:00:00
Thanks for the advice, i'm going to try & get a stat tmrw. If i cant get one here at the right price i'll order one from the UK. Prices in France for stats are way to high!!
If the temps stay the same what wattage heat mat should I get?
Thanks in advance |
| GMac |
Posted - 06/02/2013 : 19:51:08
Welcome along
quote:
Originally posted by Evolution Morphs
Hi and welcome
No thermostat and only getting 28c
won't be good should be aiming for 31-33c With a thermostat
I'd suggest getting a bigger heat mat thats more than 9w
That's on the outside of the tub
But first off get a thermostat
Habistat pulse stat would be the first choice
but a mat stat will do
and agre with this |
| Evolution Morphs |
Posted - 06/02/2013 : 17:30:31
Hi and welcome
No thermostat and only getting 28c
won't be good
should be aiming for 31-33c With a thermostat
I'd suggest getting a bigger heat mat thats more than 9w
That's on the outside of the tub
But first off get a thermostat
Habistat pulse stat would be the first choice
but a mat stat will do
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