| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| RoyalBram |
Posted - 14/07/2013 : 21:47:21
Hi guys,
Okay, I bought a monkfield 2ft Viv as well as the plastic one and have gone with that.
I currently have it in place, I have just used kitchen roll for now until I have everything sorted.
As you can see the temp probe is under the heated end with a bigger hide over the top and a digital reader above.
Please ignore the temp and humidity as I have only just switched on the heat mat which is plugged into a habistat 600w pulse thermostat that is set at 32 degrees.
I also have an exo terra thermometer on top of hide at the cold end, with a water bowl that is (probably) too small.
Any and all advice welcome!!
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| 20 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| RoyalBram |
Posted - 18/07/2013 : 19:43:59
Coolio... Cheers!
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| Kelfezond |
Posted - 18/07/2013 : 18:35:49
quote:
Originally posted by RoyalBram
Just a quick update and more info needed.
The viv is set up and running nicely (I think). Whenever I check the temps/humidity its running at between 28-31 degrees and 40-60% humidity, depending on the time of day. I am changing his water daily and he left me a nice present this morning so I have spot cleaned, although it did mean moving him out for a couple of mins.
He seems very happy and pretty active, he takes up all sorts of positions and at the moment is in his coconut hide. My question is this:
I have placed the small viv in my room where its pretty quiet, I was just wondering if they need dark all the time or is it okay to have a bit of sunlight on the viv?? Probably a silly question, but I figured it was okay as if they want some shade or dark there are areas where he can get some.
He seems pretty happy and I am just crossing my fingers hoping I have got it all right so he feeds tomorrow night on his rat pup!
I have read up on feeding and I won't be getting too stressed if he doesn't feed, but would just like everything to be right for him. Also, what type of tweezers or feeding implement is best to use??
As always, any help would be fantastic!!
Bram
Aye bit of sunlight doesn't hurt them at all.
Any tweezers will do but preferably ones with blunt tips. I use barbeque tongs :) |
| RoyalBram |
Posted - 18/07/2013 : 17:31:04
Just a quick update and more info needed.
The viv is set up and running nicely (I think). Whenever I check the temps/humidity its running at between 28-31 degrees and 40-60% humidity, depending on the time of day. I am changing his water daily and he left me a nice present this morning so I have spot cleaned, although it did mean moving him out for a couple of mins.
He seems very happy and pretty active, he takes up all sorts of positions and at the moment is in his coconut hide. My question is this:
I have placed the small viv in my room where its pretty quiet, I was just wondering if they need dark all the time or is it okay to have a bit of sunlight on the viv?? Probably a silly question, but I figured it was okay as if they want some shade or dark there are areas where he can get some.
He seems pretty happy and I am just crossing my fingers hoping I have got it all right so he feeds tomorrow night on his rat pup!
I have read up on feeding and I won't be getting too stressed if he doesn't feed, but would just like everything to be right for him. Also, what type of tweezers or feeding implement is best to use??
As always, any help would be fantastic!!
Bram |
| RoyalBram |
Posted - 16/07/2013 : 16:50:39
Hi mate,
Already got the probe one, I may well get one of those ones you suggested for the cool end.
I have got Rebel home now and he loves his new pad...He's had a good noes and tongue around and has settled for laid across the back and up on top of the coconut in amongst the new leaves I bought!!
Love him.
Will post pics in appropriate topic/thread in a bit.
Bram |
| boomslang |
Posted - 16/07/2013 : 16:10:42
More like a greenhouse/room thermometer,as it has no probes,So you have two of them inside your viv/rub just placed on the substrate? |
| richard v |
Posted - 16/07/2013 : 09:57:02
Hi mate, maybe should of mentioned this yesterday and saved you some money these are the ones I use very accurate.
http://item.mobileweb.ebay.co.uk/viewitem?index=0&sbk=1&nav=SEARCH&itemId=200918710098 |
| RoyalBram |
Posted - 16/07/2013 : 09:05:49
Bought the dual one suggested, couldn't find it cheaper! At least I can use the plastic terra and extras to set up a temporary home for him when I am cleaning etc...
Temp is holding at between 29 and 32 so pretty much bang on. Looking forward to getting him now.
Cheers buddy.
Bram |
| boomslang |
Posted - 16/07/2013 : 01:19:33
lol :) well afew things you can reuse in another home,once he gets bigger. |
| RoyalBram |
Posted - 15/07/2013 : 19:07:04
They look good, wish I hadn't bought two crappy ones now! LOL.
Never mind!! |
| boomslang |
Posted - 15/07/2013 : 17:46:57
Sounds good.
I have afew of these
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Lucky-Reptile-LTH-31-Thermometer-Deluxe/dp/B002CWR994/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1373906239&sr=8-3&keywords=dual+thermometer
Can get them cheaper else where.but has two probes in one unit. |
| RoyalBram |
Posted - 15/07/2013 : 17:34:40
Okay, I think the penny has dropped!
I have ordered a probe thermometer. I will then cable tie it to the habistat probe and fasten them both to the back of the viv. I will place the habistat probe on the glass just above the mat and then the other probe in his hide.
This way I will know what he is getting at substrate level and can control it via the habistat probe.
I think that is the best way?!
Cheers,
Bram |
| RoyalBram |
Posted - 15/07/2013 : 16:48:41
Yeah, apologies.
I have been changing it as I go long after suggestions. Lol
I now have the habistat probe on the heat mat and the white (inaccurate battery operated freestanding) thermometer on top of the kitchen roll and under the hide.
Its reading a temp of 33.7!
I will order one with a probe and put that at substrate/kitchen roll level and see where I am.
Apologies for being confusing!
Bram |
| richard v |
Posted - 15/07/2013 : 16:13:34
I think roughly through several cm of substrate you will get a difference in temps of a few deg, so for example in my viv when i was using heat mats if I put the thermostat probe directly on the heat mat buried and covered it with aspen and set it to 32 deg, i would take a temp reading from where my snake was sat in his hide it would read 28-29 as it struggles to get to temp through the aspen.So as you can see I think personally its best to take the temp from the actual substrate at snake level. With kitchen towel as its so thin I really can't imagine there will be that much difference in temps above or below so as long ad its at the right temp that will be fine. |
| boomslang |
Posted - 15/07/2013 : 16:08:53
As you have it now,the heatmat will be hotter then your thermometers are reading 4 inches above the mat.And any heat that does rise up.has to pass through that wooden hide too :P
So in other words,the mat can be at burning temps.while that thermometer is reading like 30c.It's not giving you a true reading. |
| RoyalBram |
Posted - 15/07/2013 : 16:03:46
Understood... Buying one today.
Bloody hell I am useless! |
| boomslang |
Posted - 15/07/2013 : 15:57:55
That other dial thing on top is useless.And the thermometer on the hot end,does that have a probe on it? Looks like it reads from the unit? If so thats useless to :)
You need a thermo probe on the mat,As the temp settings on a stat are always off. |
| RoyalBram |
Posted - 15/07/2013 : 15:15:13
Okay, only problem is that if I place it on top of the substrate it will give me a different heat reading or am I missing the point?
The mat temp is 31.5ish, but if I put the probe on the kitchen roll it lowers. Should I be measuring the temp under the hide it the temp of the mat under the substrate?
Cheers,
Bram |
| richard v |
Posted - 15/07/2013 : 13:50:40
Orchid bark will raise the humidity short term as long as it stays moist , to be honest I tend to stay away from the stuff contains to many critters in it. If you want a substrate best off using aspen great for royals. As I mentioned earlier dont get to hung up on humidity only really need to worry about it when in shed. Obviously if you notice moisture in your viv it will be too high then you will need to do something about it.
Ok for the thermometer and thermostat placement and this is what I do( our methods are avalible) :)
I cable tie my thermostate probe and the probe on the thermometer together and place it on top of the substrate at snake level, usually in the hide . I use aspen bedding around 5cm deep. Obviously your using kitchen towel at the moment so place just on top in the hide. Do the same in the cool end , that's it.
Any other questions ask away. |
| RoyalBram |
Posted - 15/07/2013 : 11:53:46
Thanks guys. I am assuming that when I put the orchid bark substrate in the humidity will rise anyway.
Just to be sure, secure the habistat probe and have it touching the heat mat and have a thermometer doing the same then I can move my existing digital battery powered one to the other end
Thanks again everyone for your input. I'm hoping to get him Wednesday so once he's settled I will get some pics up.
Bram |
| richard v |
Posted - 15/07/2013 : 09:36:44
The best way to raise your humidity is by moving the water bowel into the warm end and giving the enclosure a light misting of warm water. But only necessary during shed cycle. To be honest when I first started keeping royals I was obsessed with humidity, I soon reliased that as long as you up it around shed time your fine. Humidity in the uk sits around 50-60% most of the time anyway, can get a little lower during winter when the central heating dries out the air in your home, but won't get low enough to worry about. I don't even have a hygrometer anymore. Once you get another digital thermometer everything will be fine. As long for now you have one in the hot end, the cool end temps at the moment will be much higher than usual due to the warm weather, mine yesterday were pushing 29c so had to open windows to create some air circulation.
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