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kerriekins666
Hatchling
United Kingdom
65 Posts |
 Posted - 10/09/2009 : 22:04:34
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left snake set up for a few hours
came back....
with bulb on
98oF hot end, 80oF cold end
humidity is 88%
condensation on the glass
its like a sauna what can i do????
needs help  |
khiggins |
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Blackecho
Royal Python Admin
United Kingdom
11327 Posts |
Posted - 10/09/2009 : 22:09:15
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I'm guessing you don't have a thermostat then?
Get one asap.
Make sure the warer bowl isn't near the heat source.
How many vents have you got and what size viv?
What substrate are you using, is it fresh in?
How are you measuring the temp/humidity? |
 
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kerriekins666
Hatchling
United Kingdom
65 Posts |
Posted - 10/09/2009 : 22:11:34
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Heat mat in the middle of the viv - water bowl on top of that - but there no water in it yet
two vents, one each end of viv
viv is 3ft
bark chipping substrate - fresh in today
digital temp in hot end, dial temp in cold end, digital hydrometer in central area of viv |
khiggins |
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Gingerpony
Royal Python Moderator
United Kingdom
2663 Posts |
Posted - 10/09/2009 : 22:13:38
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why have you got a heatmat in the middle of the viv AND a bulb heating it? *confused*
TBH its prolly your orchid bark chippings........... did you bake it to dry it out and kill any nasties before you put it in the viv? |
Dumerils boas, BCO hybrids, Sinder Hypo boas, cornsnakes, ratsnakes, Day Geckos
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kerriekins666
Hatchling
United Kingdom
65 Posts |
Posted - 10/09/2009 : 22:15:19
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it came as a snake set up...the heat mat meant to be on only one side of the tank???
i have a red bulb heating because i wasnt sure heat mat could heat up to 90% |
khiggins |
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Blackecho
Royal Python Admin
United Kingdom
11327 Posts |
Posted - 10/09/2009 : 22:16:35
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I would have the heating at one end of the viv and get rid of either the bulb or preferably the heat mat.
Get a thermostat, that will control the temperature and stop you cooking the snake.
Put the water bowl at the opposite end to the heat.
The substrate will dry out in time, or you can whack it in the oven for an hour or so at 160C.
Have you got a snake in there? |
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Gingerpony
Royal Python Moderator
United Kingdom
2663 Posts |
Posted - 10/09/2009 : 22:18:48
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| yeah use one or the other to provide a heat gradient......... depending on your Royals size - bigger royals definitely go for the bulb, hatchies/small juvies you can use a mat but you'll want a much smaller set-up for them.......... |
Dumerils boas, BCO hybrids, Sinder Hypo boas, cornsnakes, ratsnakes, Day Geckos
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Blackecho
Royal Python Admin
United Kingdom
11327 Posts |
Posted - 10/09/2009 : 22:20:58
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| I'm with Ali, if you're going for a hatchling, section the 3' viv off in half and use the heat mat (on a thermostat). |
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Gingerpony
Royal Python Moderator
United Kingdom
2663 Posts |
Posted - 10/09/2009 : 22:32:09
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just to give you an idea........ my yearling royal is in a 14" square viv, he did go in a 3ft viv when i sold him............ 6 weeks later he was returned to me as a non-feeder
put him back in the small viv again and he started eating again............. |
Dumerils boas, BCO hybrids, Sinder Hypo boas, cornsnakes, ratsnakes, Day Geckos
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kerriekins666
Hatchling
United Kingdom
65 Posts |
Posted - 10/09/2009 : 22:57:27
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will try cooking the substrate for an hour
i cant afford a thermostat, unless there anyone that sells then for £10, that's how much i got left. I followed pet-shop set up, their's is fine, it dont seem to want to work
17 year old pulling hair out at the moment |
khiggins |
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Blackecho
Royal Python Admin
United Kingdom
11327 Posts |
Posted - 10/09/2009 : 23:01:11
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I'm sorry, if you can't afford a thermostat, then in my opinion (and it is only that) then you can't afford to look after a snake.
Without it, when your snake needs a vet, how are you going to afford that?
Sorry if it sounds harsh. |
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kerriekins666
Hatchling
United Kingdom
65 Posts |
Posted - 10/09/2009 : 23:07:12
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i would have brought a thermostat, the pet shop woman said i dont need one, she dont use one.
my parents can help till i get paid in 2 weeks from work. then it will be all ok again
do you recommend just bulb or just heat mat in 3ft tank
and can they both be controlled by thermostat
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khiggins |
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lee2308
Royal Python Moderator
United Kingdom
2597 Posts |
Posted - 10/09/2009 : 23:17:11
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| just use the mat if your going to section the viv off,alot of "petshops" dont mention abouts stat as the price of them can put buyers off,without one your mat will easily reach 100+ degrees |
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kerriekins666
Hatchling
United Kingdom
65 Posts |
Posted - 10/09/2009 : 23:19:50
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thanks, prob is im not sectioning off the viv, snake was in 3ft at pet shop, so its not in any size its not used to
will this affect the heating power of the heat mat
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khiggins |
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lee2308
Royal Python Moderator
United Kingdom
2597 Posts |
Posted - 10/09/2009 : 23:31:07
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| Are you using a proper infra red bulb or just a red bulb? A i/r bulb would be better for a 3' but you will need a dimming thermostat for a bulb.I have just read your other thread about cages though,how high is your viv? |
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Edited by - lee2308 on 10/09/2009 23:32:46 |
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Blackecho
Royal Python Admin
United Kingdom
11327 Posts |
Posted - 11/09/2009 : 07:48:07
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If you're keeping it as a 3' viv, then use the heat bulb and get rid of the heat mat.
Just because it is in a large viv at the pet shop doesn't mean its happy in one though. |
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chris100575
Sub Adult
United Kingdom
743 Posts |
Posted - 11/09/2009 : 08:56:57
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This happens a lot, many pet shops (unless they're reptile specialists) know squat when it comes to reps and give people completely the wrong advice.
If you can't afford a thermostat yet stop using the mat altogether and stick with the bulb. My royal's in a four foot viv, her only heat source is a 100w infra-red bulb at one end and it keeps it plenty warm enough for her. You'll still need a thermostat for the bulb but at least if it's guarded you won't have a burnt snake. Until you have a thermostat for the bulb (you'll need a dimmer stat) you'll need to monitor the temperature and either turn off the bulb or switch to a lower wattage one so it doesn't get too hot. TBH a bulb's better than a mat anyway because it warms the air instead of just the floor.
I know some people use heat mats without thermostats on them, but I've seen more than one photo of a snake that's suffered fatal burns from an un-statted mat. Snakes don't feel temperature the same way we do and will lie there without realising that they're burning. It's not worth the risk.
If you're sticking with a three foot viv for a young royal the more hides, fake plants etc you can put in the better. If you're on a budget cardboard boxes with holes cut for doors make good hides. Royals can often get stressed if they feel too exposed and then they refuse to eat.
Lastly, don't be disheartened. Everyone on here wants to help you to do the best for your snake, we're not judging you for being given bad advice.  |
0.1.0 Royal Python - Princess
0.1.0 BCI - Feather |
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russm
Yearling
United Kingdom
161 Posts |
Posted - 11/09/2009 : 09:25:58
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| You will be fine. The people on here know what they are talking about as they are all snake keepers and they will be more than willing to help. Dont take offence to them telling you that you have something wrong they just want to make sure your snake is as happy as possible and that you will enjoy it. |
2.1.0 Royal - Memphis & tbc
2.0.0 Labs - Cooper & Max
1.1.0 Clown fish
0.0.2 Goldfish
0.2.0 Rats - Izzy & Tess |
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kerriekins666
Hatchling
United Kingdom
65 Posts |
Posted - 11/09/2009 : 10:36:47
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ok thanks a lot
it is a normal red bulb i believe
not quite sure how high the viv is im afraid
so its best for me to take these steps
1. dry out barck chippings to lower humidity
2. get rid of heat mat and buy a dimming thermostat for the bulb
do i need a dimming bulb for the thermostat or will it work on a normal bulb, and is there any info on how the dimming thermostats work cause i only really know about the normal thermostats
thanks a lot |
khiggins |
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xautomaticflowersx
Yearling
United Kingdom
209 Posts |
Posted - 11/09/2009 : 12:40:56
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| Dimming thermostats work on normal bulbs by reducing the amount of power going to the bulb when the temperature (read by a probe attached to the thermostat and placed in the viv under the heat source) nears what is set on the thermostat dial. So if you had the thermostat dial set at 90F and the temperature under the bulb was at that temperature the thermostat will reduce the amount of power supplied to the bulb, which will cause it to dim (reducing light and heat slightly) so that the temperature does not go above 90F. They keep the temperature range nice and tight... much less wide fluctuation with a dimming stat. |
0.1.0 Leopard Gecko - Eublepharis macularius ('Gecko Lady')
1.0.0 Giant Day Gecko - Phelsuma m. grandis ('Pedro')
1.0.0 Giant Namibian Sand Gecko - Chondrodactylus a. angulifer ('Mr. Chondrodactylus' or 'Mr. C')
1.0.0 Desert Iguana - Dipsosaurus dorsalis ('Iggie' or 'Iggz')
1.0.0 Royal Python - Python regius ('Ripley')
0.0.2 Rankins Dragons - Pogona henrylawsoni ('Pancake' and 'Waffles')
1.0.0 75% Jungle Jaguar Carpet Python - Morelia spilota spp. ('Buggy') |
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kerriekins666
Hatchling
United Kingdom
65 Posts |
Posted - 11/09/2009 : 14:17:46
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thanks very much everyone
i will try and get my hands on a dimming thermostat as soon as i can
my reptile shop doesnt sell them only the normal thermostats that connect to the heat mats but im sure the internet will provide. In the meantime, i have asked the breeder to hold onto the snake until i can get the correct temperatures set up in the tank.
My red bulb is a 40W, not 100W but it heats up a lot and believe that it has more than enough power to hit the 90F temperature for the hot end.
Also I need to know. In the evening the temperature obviously has to drop. Can the dimming thermostat do this for me, cause if i turn the bulb off at night, and i dont have a heatmat then the temperature is going to drop all the way down. Can the dimming thermostat make sure that it doesnt drop below a certain temperature and if so does that mean i have to have the bulb on 24/7
sorry about the essay, but i have decided to ignore the pet shop completely |
khiggins |
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HELP!!!! please
