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RoyalBram
Hatchling
United Kingdom
83 Posts |
 Posted - 14/07/2013 : 21:47:21
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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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Edited by - RoyalBram on 14/07/2013 21:49:18 |
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Foremand
Sub Adult
United Kingdom
968 Posts |
Posted - 14/07/2013 : 21:53:27
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Well for starters the 2 foot viv will be too small in a period of time but your most probably aware of that. I hope the gauges and cables are secured down otherwise they could turn into a play toy lol i no my royal loves to wrap around, grab hold or move anything he can and the water bowl is better off in the cool end instead of the middle.
Other than that asking as you got a reasonable temp difference. And the temps are steady. I would stink with the kitchen roll for now and seems ok. I'm daily new to this too so if anyone else can enlighten me or correct me if appreciate it. |
1.0.0 Royal python- Kaa
1.0.0 German shepherd- Riley
0.3.0 Cats- Does not matter they won't come to you
1.0.0 Red Footed Tortoise- Nemo
1.0.0 Boa- Bison
0.0.1 Brocky- Bearded dragon |
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RoyalBram
Hatchling
United Kingdom
83 Posts |
Posted - 14/07/2013 : 22:01:04
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It was only £20 and figured I would get some more at some time so I may as well have a nice tight little one for him for now as he's only about 4 months old (will get this confirmed). I have already moved the water bowl to the cold end, just couldn't be bothered to take more pics. I will secure the cables and gauges once I am sure I have everything correct.
I'm only sticking with the kitchen roll as unfortunately the place I am getting him from has had mites (from a new breeders snake that they used) so although they won't let him go until they are totally happy and they have cleaned and disinfected the racks, rubs and snakes I figure I would use the kitchen roll until I am totally satisfied.
Thanks buddy, would love to hear others views.
Cheers,
Bram |
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Foremand
Sub Adult
United Kingdom
968 Posts |
Posted - 14/07/2013 : 22:07:25
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Understandable. Can't beat a cheap bargain. On e the royals out of it you could use it for another or a gecko or something :-) my boa needs a bigger tank and I've already organised how all my animals will go into bigger tanks leaving me a empty 3 foot viv. With many options lol
And kitchen roll is a good choice. For poos and wee etc its easy to clean up. So it's a good choice. |
1.0.0 Royal python- Kaa
1.0.0 German shepherd- Riley
0.3.0 Cats- Does not matter they won't come to you
1.0.0 Red Footed Tortoise- Nemo
1.0.0 Boa- Bison
0.0.1 Brocky- Bearded dragon |
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RoyalBram
Hatchling
United Kingdom
83 Posts |
Posted - 14/07/2013 : 22:13:06
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Just the snakes for me!
Thanks for the advice, everyone else feel free to help out.
Bram |
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richard v
Sub Adult
United Kingdom
563 Posts |
Posted - 14/07/2013 : 23:06:15
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Hello, just thought I would say hi for starters I have been reading your previous posts so am up to date with everything, nice little viv you have there, my royal was in his 2ft viv until he was 3years old so no immediate rush to upgrade.kitchen roll will be fine for substrate although it does not look to pleading to the eye it's great for royals. I personally think your hides are a little on the large side especially if you getting a hatching, I think I read it was 20cm long, I know it's more expense but I would go for the small Exo terra hides, but you can use upturned butter tubs or small upturned boxes, you need to try and make your snake feel as secure as possible, so ideally it's best if they fit real snug into the hides. You would be amazed what a snake will fit into. My large boa squeezes into half a large flower pot
The dial thermometers are not all that great , you would be much better of with two of the same digital ones like you have in the hot end. I cable tie the thermostat probe and thermometer together and pin the cables down in the viv with telephone cable fixings. You could get a few fake plants in just so your snake has some cover whislt moving around. Hope that has helped, speak soon. I have a pic here of a snake I recently took in you can see how crammed I have tried to make it.
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Edited by - richard v on 14/07/2013 23:11:17 |
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RoyalBram
Hatchling
United Kingdom
83 Posts |
Posted - 14/07/2013 : 23:27:41
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Hi Richard,
Thanks so much... I am not exactly sure on size, but will take your advice and get some smaller hides and another temp gauge. They don't have any probes to them, so I will have to figure out a way to secure them!! Probably be able to get some tie wraps round them, but I will see.
I am getting some fake plants, its a learning curve as you can probably imagine, although the good thing is that anything too big can be used in the future and anything too small can be used again!
I'm not too fussed on price as long as the little man is happy. I'm not loaded, far from it, but I want him to be happy.
I will be going to see him again tomorrow to check he fed well today and will see if I can get an exact measurement so I can make/buy the right size hides.
Thanks so much,
Bram
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Edited by - RoyalBram on 14/07/2013 23:29:20 |
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richard v
Sub Adult
United Kingdom
563 Posts |
Posted - 14/07/2013 : 23:40:22
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| You really don't need to spend mega bucks getting it all. For the thermometers put them through the vent, and like you mentioned cable tie the end to the thermostat probe and just leave the cool end one on top of the kitchen towel under the hide. Keep the digital screen part outside the viv, the wires are normally long enough to stretch onto the top of the viv, that way you can see at a glance the temps and don't have to open up the viv. |
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RoyalBram
Hatchling
United Kingdom
83 Posts |
Posted - 15/07/2013 : 00:06:13
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Unfortunately both thermometers are stand alone. The white one is battery run and the other is a dial version which is probably unreliable, but came as part of the set up.
I'll see how the temps are tonight and then again in the morning then probably order some better ones for both ends. I would just rather not have loads of wires about!!
Bram |
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Foremand
Sub Adult
United Kingdom
968 Posts |
Posted - 15/07/2013 : 00:31:57
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| Check out eBay you can pick up a digital thermometer with a probe on a metre length cable or something for a couple quid each. Was a good investment for me and quite accurate. I compared it to a £40 odd quid thermometer I use for air conditioning and chiller systems at work. |
1.0.0 Royal python- Kaa
1.0.0 German shepherd- Riley
0.3.0 Cats- Does not matter they won't come to you
1.0.0 Red Footed Tortoise- Nemo
1.0.0 Boa- Bison
0.0.1 Brocky- Bearded dragon |
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boomslang
Old Royal - I Post too much!
United Kingdom
2025 Posts |
Posted - 15/07/2013 : 01:13:50
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That's the 18" version,says 45cm on the ebay add you linked :P
Throw that dial thermometer in the bin,You can buy duel thermometers now.put the probes through the vents like stated.
Put the stat probe under your kitchen roll,as how you have it now.The heat has to travel through the glass and roll.Or fix the probe lead to the back wall,With the probe on the mat part.So he can't move the probe when he makes a mess of that kitchen roll.
And add your fake plants :) |
1.0.0 pinstripe Royal Python
1.0.0 Bumblebee Royal Python
1.0.0 Normal corn
1.0.0 Extreme red Hognose
0.1.0 Extreme red tiger Hognose
1.1.0 yemen chameleons
1.0.0 Piebald yemen
1.0.0 Tamatave panther
1.0.0 Quadricornis
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RoyalBram
Hatchling
United Kingdom
83 Posts |
Posted - 15/07/2013 : 07:58:59
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Thanks guys.
Checked the stats this morning and its at 40% and 31.5 degrees the probe is directly onto the glass and the temp gauge is in the hide.
Although useless the other gauge in the cold end is at 78 degrees on top of the hide.
Is this the correct way to take the readings?
Thanks.
Bram
P.S Fake plants ordered! |
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RoyalBram
Hatchling
United Kingdom
83 Posts |
Posted - 15/07/2013 : 08:27:24
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| P.P.S I know the humidity needs to be between 50% and 60%, how do I get it to raise up? |
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RoyalBram
Hatchling
United Kingdom
83 Posts |
Posted - 15/07/2013 : 09:16:49
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Thanks guys.
Checked the stats this morning and its at 40% and 31.5 degrees the probe is directly onto the glass and the temp gauge is in the hide.
Although useless the other gauge in the cold end is at 78 degrees on top of the hide.
Is this the correct way to take the readings?
Thanks.
Bram
P.S Fake plants ordered! |
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Foremand
Sub Adult
United Kingdom
968 Posts |
Posted - 15/07/2013 : 09:30:27
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| Purchase a spray bottle and when your royal becomes blue just spray a couple of sprays into the tank to boost it. Other than when it's in shed you don't need to worry about it. Also when he's in shed get an old flannel or towel over his hot hide soaked with water to help. |
1.0.0 Royal python- Kaa
1.0.0 German shepherd- Riley
0.3.0 Cats- Does not matter they won't come to you
1.0.0 Red Footed Tortoise- Nemo
1.0.0 Boa- Bison
0.0.1 Brocky- Bearded dragon |
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Fezza
Fully Grown Royal
United Kingdom
1063 Posts |
Posted - 15/07/2013 : 09:33:14
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Sounds like you're in the right range for temps, just remember its really a ballpark figure you're aiming for and not a precise number
If you try to keep everything exact you'll drive yourself mad and end up frustrated. Everyone has their own recipe for success, you'll find yours soon enough |
1.0.0 normal royal
1.0.0 mojave royal
1.0.0 pastel enchi royal
0.1.0 cinnamon royal
0.1.0 pewter royal
0.1.0 genetic stripe royal
0.1.0 lesser goblin royal
0.1.0 phantom royal
0.1.0 Columbian rainbow boa
0.0.1 aru x jaya GTP
0.1.0 bredli
1.0.0 trans pecos rat snake
1.0.0 fat black cat
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richard v
Sub Adult
United Kingdom
563 Posts |
Posted - 15/07/2013 : 09:36:44
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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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RoyalBram
Hatchling
United Kingdom
83 Posts |
Posted - 15/07/2013 : 11:53:46
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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 |
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richard v
Sub Adult
United Kingdom
563 Posts |
Posted - 15/07/2013 : 13:50:40
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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. |
Edited by - richard v on 15/07/2013 13:52:31 |
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RoyalBram
Hatchling
United Kingdom
83 Posts |
Posted - 15/07/2013 : 15:15:13
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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 |
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boomslang
Old Royal - I Post too much!
United Kingdom
2025 Posts |
Posted - 15/07/2013 : 15:57:55
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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. |
1.0.0 pinstripe Royal Python
1.0.0 Bumblebee Royal Python
1.0.0 Normal corn
1.0.0 Extreme red Hognose
0.1.0 Extreme red tiger Hognose
1.1.0 yemen chameleons
1.0.0 Piebald yemen
1.0.0 Tamatave panther
1.0.0 Quadricornis
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Topic |
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Help/Advice with my set up
