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speedy231278
Hatchling
United Kingdom
78 Posts |
 Posted - 18/12/2010 : 18:31:56
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Oh well, no going back now. I'm getting 90-92 hot, 77-78 cool. It does feel pretty warm, but then our corns run at about 80. Humidity will follow when I can get the probe in the viv! Herself has now arrived, and has quite contentedly curled up under the cool hide, so I'm hoping it's just because that's the first one she found, rather than it being too hot at the other end.
My only slight concern is the lamp guard. It's possibly a little shy on clearance around the edges. Most people suggest an inch in all directions, however the sides are probably a little closer to 3/4. Distance from the bottom of the ceramic and the bottom of the guard is several inches. However, it does feel pretty warm (even the bottom). It's not too hot to touch, or even to hold for a minute or so, but it's still a lot warmer than I was expecting (having said that, 100 watts is 100 watts...). I'm sure she'd have to curl round it for quite a long time to do any damage, but I'm not completely comfortable.
Do you think maybe a larger one would be in order? Bearing in mind a bigger one will be gigantic! |
2.1.0 royals
1.2.0 corns
0.0.3 motorcycles
0.1.0 she who must be obeyed... ;-) |
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Royalbob
Royal Python Moderator
United Kingdom
1115 Posts |
Posted - 18/12/2010 : 19:55:34
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Hi mate, temps sound fine the ambient good go up a touch. Really just watch your royal. Is she thermo regulating properly. Just watch she doesn't spend all her time at one end of the viv.
She come out and sort her self when she's ready.
Lamp guard sounds ok. you could just check what temp the guard is getting too but as you said its not hot to touch and yes it does get nice and warm in there but thats how they love it. |
1.0 Enchi butter
1.0 Enchi X Pastel
1.0 Fire het clown
1.0 Bumblebee
1.0 pinstripe
0.1 Enchi Fire
0.1 Pastel calico
0.1 Yellow belly Pinstripe
0.1 Lemon pastel poss het clown
0.1 Het clown
0.1 Yellow belly
0.1 Green Mojave
0.1 HC Albino
0.2 Normals
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speedy231278
Hatchling
United Kingdom
78 Posts |
Posted - 18/12/2010 : 21:47:07
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| I did check the ambient again a little while back, and it was a little warmer, about 82. I need to be careful not to end up endlessly fiddling about with the thermostat and just make occasional adjustments otherwise I'll never get out of the flat! She's already explored both hides, had a drink, had a glood slither about in general, and while I wasn't going to get her out the first night she came up to the glass and made it obvious she was happy to come out. In fact, it was hard to get her to go back in! Just like our corns, who love nothing better than doubling back when you least expect it..... Very well behaved, and very confident in herself. Almost wish I'd been allowed to have one sooner! |
2.1.0 royals
1.2.0 corns
0.0.3 motorcycles
0.1.0 she who must be obeyed... ;-) |
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Royalbob
Royal Python Moderator
United Kingdom
1115 Posts |
Posted - 18/12/2010 : 22:10:02
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| lol sounds like it's going great. just give her a few days to settle in though. Some are more confident than others though. usually leave mine for 2-3 days and if there out and about try a feed. good luck and yes stop fiddling lol |
1.0 Enchi butter
1.0 Enchi X Pastel
1.0 Fire het clown
1.0 Bumblebee
1.0 pinstripe
0.1 Enchi Fire
0.1 Pastel calico
0.1 Yellow belly Pinstripe
0.1 Lemon pastel poss het clown
0.1 Het clown
0.1 Yellow belly
0.1 Green Mojave
0.1 HC Albino
0.2 Normals
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speedy231278
Hatchling
United Kingdom
78 Posts |
Posted - 18/12/2010 : 23:36:38
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This might sound a silly question, but where is the best place to measure the temperatures? Do you do it at the substrate level, half way up, or what? The reason I ask is that obviously as heat rises, I'm getting different results depending on how far from the base of the viv I take the reading. Right now, I have the stat probe sat right at the end of the viv next to the hot hide, half way between front and back. I figure if it was actually under it (a hefty piece of bark) it would potentially under read, although that could be a rubbish theory. I'm taking the temp readings at the extreme ends of the vivs, at about the level of the top and bottom of the doors. Stat is set to 87, warm is 90-93, cool is 82-84. Humidity is a little high at 62-64, however I put that down to the fact that orchid bark has been used for the substrate and it only went in this morning. If it stays that high for too long I guess I may have to consider something different.
The missus is saying that a few degrees either way probably aren't the end of the world, but I'm really paranoid as I'm out of my comfort zone with all this gadgetry.... lol |
2.1.0 royals
1.2.0 corns
0.0.3 motorcycles
0.1.0 she who must be obeyed... ;-) |
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Royalbob
Royal Python Moderator
United Kingdom
1115 Posts |
Posted - 19/12/2010 : 00:34:59
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| Everything sounds perfect. yep place probe beside hot hide. Could even come down on temp a degree or two. Once bark dries out humidity will be spot on but 50-60% is fine. |
1.0 Enchi butter
1.0 Enchi X Pastel
1.0 Fire het clown
1.0 Bumblebee
1.0 pinstripe
0.1 Enchi Fire
0.1 Pastel calico
0.1 Yellow belly Pinstripe
0.1 Lemon pastel poss het clown
0.1 Het clown
0.1 Yellow belly
0.1 Green Mojave
0.1 HC Albino
0.2 Normals
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speedy231278
Hatchling
United Kingdom
78 Posts |
Posted - 19/12/2010 : 11:05:55
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| Temp is down a little this morning, stat has been full on for most of the time rather than pulsing, but it's now settled back down. It was pretty chilly last night though. I'm still nervous about the difference in readings I can get at the cool end. It's about 82 near the bottom, but more like 86 or even 88 near the top, and surely that's too high? OK, the viv is 21" high so there's going to be a gradient from top to bottom, but that seems a bit much to me. Warm end currently varies from 84 to 90 depending on how high or low you measure the temp. At this rate I'm going to go neurotic!! |
2.1.0 royals
1.2.0 corns
0.0.3 motorcycles
0.1.0 she who must be obeyed... ;-) |
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Royalbob
Royal Python Moderator
United Kingdom
1115 Posts |
Posted - 19/12/2010 : 12:23:29
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bit confused. are you saying its 88 near the top on cool side and 90 near the top on warm side???
Can't say i've ever measured the temps at differant heights. Just make sure the temp at floor of viv near the hot hide is at 90F. The pulse stats are amazing and they will keep it within a degree of this. Try not to keep messing with the stat otherwise your readings will be all over the place. 82 at the cool end is fine also. royals spend most of there time near or on the floor anyhow.
Not sure of the ventilation on the VX36 vivs but ideally you want a vent low down on the cool side and high up on the warm side. this creates proper air circulation and more even temps and humidity. If the vents are just at the top it's not the end of the world but you want the cool air to be drawn up towards the warm air. |
1.0 Enchi butter
1.0 Enchi X Pastel
1.0 Fire het clown
1.0 Bumblebee
1.0 pinstripe
0.1 Enchi Fire
0.1 Pastel calico
0.1 Yellow belly Pinstripe
0.1 Lemon pastel poss het clown
0.1 Het clown
0.1 Yellow belly
0.1 Green Mojave
0.1 HC Albino
0.2 Normals
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speedy231278
Hatchling
United Kingdom
78 Posts |
Posted - 19/12/2010 : 13:02:27
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| Yes - at the ambient end it's warmer at the top than the bottom. The VX36 has four vents, two at the top, two at the bottom. They're about an inch deep and I guess around 5 long. At the cool end it's 82 near the substrate but closer to top of the viv it's still around 88, and the stat is currently back to being full on. At the hot end, it's currently 84-85 near the substrate and 90-91 near the top. The stat agrees with the figure of 84 for the supposed hot spot. It's still set for 86 at present. Is the vent arrangement likely to be causing these readings? Right now, it seems I've got a vertical temperature gradient rather than a horizontal one! |
2.1.0 royals
1.2.0 corns
0.0.3 motorcycles
0.1.0 she who must be obeyed... ;-) |
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Royalbob
Royal Python Moderator
United Kingdom
1115 Posts |
Posted - 19/12/2010 : 13:13:41
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personally i would raise the stat to 90-92 so the hot spot is reading this temp as well. Also close the vent at the bottom on the hot side. Can you get some pics up?
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1.0 Enchi butter
1.0 Enchi X Pastel
1.0 Fire het clown
1.0 Bumblebee
1.0 pinstripe
0.1 Enchi Fire
0.1 Pastel calico
0.1 Yellow belly Pinstripe
0.1 Lemon pastel poss het clown
0.1 Het clown
0.1 Yellow belly
0.1 Green Mojave
0.1 HC Albino
0.2 Normals
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speedy231278
Hatchling
United Kingdom
78 Posts |
Posted - 19/12/2010 : 13:33:54
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| I'll try, but it's in a bot of an awkward place to take shots from! Centre of the ceramic is six inches from the end of the viv, seven from the back. I'll turn the stat up, but bear in mind it's been on all morning and hasn't really raised the temp at the warm end very much anyway! Will block the bottom vent at the warm end and see what happens. |
2.1.0 royals
1.2.0 corns
0.0.3 motorcycles
0.1.0 she who must be obeyed... ;-) |
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Royalbob
Royal Python Moderator
United Kingdom
1115 Posts |
Posted - 19/12/2010 : 14:04:44
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| It can't raise the temp above what it's set though. set it according to the thermastat temp probe. Do you have ventilation behind the viv it's not right up against the wall. |
1.0 Enchi butter
1.0 Enchi X Pastel
1.0 Fire het clown
1.0 Bumblebee
1.0 pinstripe
0.1 Enchi Fire
0.1 Pastel calico
0.1 Yellow belly Pinstripe
0.1 Lemon pastel poss het clown
0.1 Het clown
0.1 Yellow belly
0.1 Green Mojave
0.1 HC Albino
0.2 Normals
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speedy231278
Hatchling
United Kingdom
78 Posts |
Posted - 19/12/2010 : 15:22:21
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It's not right up against the wall, no. About six inches from it. I realise that placing it right against the wall would be bad for the temps, never mind the wall itself. I once had a fish tank that turned my parent's wallpaper mouldy because of that.
Anyway, I taped over the low vent and it does seem to have had an effect. The cool end is several degrees cooler than it was, and there's less of a difference between the top and the bottom. The stat is still full on, mind, but my thermometer agrees that the temp at the base is still not up to the 90 I have it set to. Will still see about doing some pics, but right now a late lunch is calling! |
2.1.0 royals
1.2.0 corns
0.0.3 motorcycles
0.1.0 she who must be obeyed... ;-) |
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Royalbob
Royal Python Moderator
United Kingdom
1115 Posts |
Posted - 19/12/2010 : 17:13:43
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don't worry about the stat light. PP blink really quick and with a 100W bulb it will be fine. maybe the rooms just cold and the bulb has to work harder. But the stats not gonna burn out.
sounds like you just needed the cold/warm air circulating properly. My sat is set at 92F just go by your thermostat. |
1.0 Enchi butter
1.0 Enchi X Pastel
1.0 Fire het clown
1.0 Bumblebee
1.0 pinstripe
0.1 Enchi Fire
0.1 Pastel calico
0.1 Yellow belly Pinstripe
0.1 Lemon pastel poss het clown
0.1 Het clown
0.1 Yellow belly
0.1 Green Mojave
0.1 HC Albino
0.2 Normals
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speedy231278
Hatchling
United Kingdom
78 Posts |
Posted - 19/12/2010 : 19:02:19
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I've just had a quick measure again. I'm still not getting anywhere close to 90 at the substrate near the front of the viv, although the stat seems to think about 88/89 in the middle, and near the top measures around 92. The ambient end has increased a little, and is now 82 low down and 84 higher up. I was considering blocking off the vent at the top of the cool end, but figured that might actually raise the temp rather than reduce it, unless it would maybe cause more of a draw on the lower vent. I guess you'll never get a perfect 90-80, but right now I'm convinced the warm is too cool, and the cool is too warm! The room is a little cooler than it was when I first set everything up, largely because the storage heater has been turned down as it was sweltering in there yesterday. The viv is sited close to the window, which probably isn't ideal, however it's the cool end that is closest and to be honest I was expecting to have issues with the cool end not being warm enough. Perhaps the ceramic is having to work sufficiently hard to heat the warm end that the net result is excess heat at the other end? There is one other place in the room that the viv could be sited, although that would make a lot of work, but of course it would be silly to use that as an excuse if it could be causing issues.
I know I'm probably fussing like an old woman, but the last thing I want is an unhappy or unwell new arrival. Was everyone else so paranoid when they got their first royal? Our corns have never had so much fuss, they've got a heat mat at one end and everything takes care of itself. Nice gradient, steady temps... Maybe I'm too much of a perfectionist, either that or I'm a danger to all things reptilian? :s |
2.1.0 royals
1.2.0 corns
0.0.3 motorcycles
0.1.0 she who must be obeyed... ;-) |
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Royalbob
Royal Python Moderator
United Kingdom
1115 Posts |
Posted - 19/12/2010 : 19:38:19
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Don't take your readings of the stat, just use it to control the ceramic bulb. Take the readings from the thermometer.
what's the temp reading on the thermometer under the bulb at substrate level? This is what you want at 90F
Your Ambient temps are fine.
Wouldn't really put the viv by a window unless there is no draft.
Is your royal thermo regulating itself? if yes then i wouldn't worry too much. It's when there constantly trying to warm up or cool down that there is a problem. |
1.0 Enchi butter
1.0 Enchi X Pastel
1.0 Fire het clown
1.0 Bumblebee
1.0 pinstripe
0.1 Enchi Fire
0.1 Pastel calico
0.1 Yellow belly Pinstripe
0.1 Lemon pastel poss het clown
0.1 Het clown
0.1 Yellow belly
0.1 Green Mojave
0.1 HC Albino
0.2 Normals
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Royalbob
Royal Python Moderator
United Kingdom
1115 Posts |
Posted - 19/12/2010 : 19:40:20
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| pics do make it so much easier as well mate if you can. |
1.0 Enchi butter
1.0 Enchi X Pastel
1.0 Fire het clown
1.0 Bumblebee
1.0 pinstripe
0.1 Enchi Fire
0.1 Pastel calico
0.1 Yellow belly Pinstripe
0.1 Lemon pastel poss het clown
0.1 Het clown
0.1 Yellow belly
0.1 Green Mojave
0.1 HC Albino
0.2 Normals
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speedy231278
Hatchling
United Kingdom
78 Posts |
Posted - 20/12/2010 : 11:39:37
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| Seems a little better this morning, although the ambient end is still a little warm for my liking near the top. She's spent most of the time at the cool end, although last night she did have an explore about the viv and decided to move to the warm end. It wasn't apparent which hide she was under this morning, and I didn't want to disturb her. I've decided that I'm going to move the viv this evening so it's not near the window, and it also means it'll make it easier to take some pics. Not that it's very interesting with a piece of bark at either end and a dog bowl at the cool end! |
2.1.0 royals
1.2.0 corns
0.0.3 motorcycles
0.1.0 she who must be obeyed... ;-) |
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Royalbob
Royal Python Moderator
United Kingdom
1115 Posts |
Posted - 20/12/2010 : 12:01:30
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| 80-85F is fine for the ambient mate. It's all well trying to replicate an african Savannah in a viv until you have to clean it out. Keep my viv and rub's quite sterile, white kitchen towel, 2 hides and a water bowl. less to clean, snakes are easy to check up on and you can spot anything foreign straight away. |
1.0 Enchi butter
1.0 Enchi X Pastel
1.0 Fire het clown
1.0 Bumblebee
1.0 pinstripe
0.1 Enchi Fire
0.1 Pastel calico
0.1 Yellow belly Pinstripe
0.1 Lemon pastel poss het clown
0.1 Het clown
0.1 Yellow belly
0.1 Green Mojave
0.1 HC Albino
0.2 Normals
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speedy231278
Hatchling
United Kingdom
78 Posts |
Posted - 20/12/2010 : 15:09:14
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OK, so the ambient is fine then... :-) Those flickering digitherms still haven't turned up yet so I'm still relying on my spare liquid crystal strip to do the susbstrate level temps. Has been 90c right by the probe the last few times I've measured, whcih is exactly what the stat is set to. Will still probably do the move because the stat isn't pulsing, it's full on, unless it's pulsing so fast that neither the light on it nor the energy consumption gadget I have occasionally attached to it can keep up. Draw is 104-110W according to that, which at our rates works out at £125 a year!!
Agree on the decor. It's a right pain in the wotsit trying to find the aftermath of the last mouse in my corn's viv as the missus keeps putting more stuff in there to keep Missus 'happy'. I'm sure she was really happy that it took me several days to find the last deposit, which had been left right on the flippin' heat mat! At least her corn always leaves his in the same place behind his water dish... Unless you put the dish too far back in the viv, in which case I don't need to draw any pictures, but you can imagine how awful the consequences are!! |
2.1.0 royals
1.2.0 corns
0.0.3 motorcycles
0.1.0 she who must be obeyed... ;-) |
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The usual newbie questions - sorry!
