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BigDunc
Snake Mite
United Kingdom
16 Posts |
 Posted - 11/01/2010 : 20:47:00
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I bought my Viv as a complete kit just before Christmas. I've got a heat mat which takes up half the 3' base of the tank. Thermostat is set to 30 degrees but the tank ambient (half way up the tank ) drops to around 22 degrees unless I keep the house heating at full blast. The mat is heating but it would seem not enough. I've tried upping the thermostat but since it never switches off the mat is running constantly. Moved the thermostat sensor further from the mat but still no joy. Is this heat mat faulty or is it too small ?
Any ideas ? |
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ddm10
Yearling
United Kingdom
189 Posts |
Posted - 11/01/2010 : 20:59:06
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| As I understand it the mat only heats the substrate and objects in contact with it not the ambient air temp. Keep the thermostat sensor on the substrate directly above the mat, or otherwise it might get super hot just to heat the air mildly warm. Mats are Ok as a heat source but not generally popular as heavier bodied snakes like pythons can get burnt heating themselves. As long as you keep the thermastat on the mat and the temp is at or around 32c or so it should be fine, that is if you keep the room warm as well to keep the ambient temp at. A much better option would be to buy an ifrared heat lamp with a guard (prob around £30) or a slightly more expensive option is a reptile radiator (around £50). Both of these options would need a different thermostat either a dimmer or a pulse proportional would be good (check the sticky on thermostats). I've got a pulse and in my experience it's brilliantly accurate. What these do is warm the air and the decor similair to the heat from the sun. |
ROYAL PYTHON 1.0.0 |
Edited by - ddm10 on 11/01/2010 21:25:16 |
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BigDunc
Snake Mite
United Kingdom
16 Posts |
Posted - 11/01/2010 : 21:10:23
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| Thanks for the quick reply. I was worried that he'd be a bit cold if the tank ambient is only 22 degrees but he seems happy enough and is back eating after shedding. The shed was a bit difficult due to there being no humidity in the viv but I steamed him in the bathroom for 15 minutes or so and it seemed to do the trick. I'll go and check out the alternatives tomorrow. |
Edited by - BigDunc on 11/01/2010 21:12:05 |
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ddm10
Yearling
United Kingdom
189 Posts |
Posted - 11/01/2010 : 21:20:18
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| No prob mate I'm sure they'll be a few more replies up here soon have a look what they say as well they prob no better than I do. It's always good to get a few opinions. There's also some more info on heating in the caresheet on here. Also if you can it'll be great to put up a few pics of the fella, what's his name? |
ROYAL PYTHON 1.0.0 |
Edited by - ddm10 on 11/01/2010 21:39:59 |
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BigDunc
Snake Mite
United Kingdom
16 Posts |
Posted - 11/01/2010 : 21:30:25
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| Called him Syphon, he's about 18months. He's my first snake, I'll post a couple of pictures in the next day or two. |
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chris100575
Sub Adult
United Kingdom
743 Posts |
Posted - 12/01/2010 : 08:52:49
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I agree with DDM10, mats aren't ideal. Welcome by the way!  |
0.1.0 Royal Python - Princess
0.1.0 BCI - Feather |
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Gingerpony
Royal Python Moderator
United Kingdom
2663 Posts |
Posted - 12/01/2010 : 22:26:29
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mats are perfectly adequate for juvies and hatchies but heavier-bodied adult boids are better suited to heat from above eg. a ceramic or rep rad.
the thermometer half way up the wall is the main problem, it should be on top of the substrate above the heatmat.....................and i'm guessing its a cr@ppy dial one?
and basically ignore what temp the dial on the stat is reading, set the temperature according to what the thermometer tells you |
Dumerils boas, BCO hybrids, Sinder Hypo boas, cornsnakes, ratsnakes, Day Geckos
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reptilekeeper1992
Yearling
United Kingdom
331 Posts |
Posted - 12/01/2010 : 23:17:56
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| agree with GP about ignoring stat. My stat is now set to 28C and the digi thermometer reads at 31.4C |
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Can't get tank hot enough
