Posted by:
FunkyRes
at Wed Sep 26 00:42:36 2007 [ Email Message ] [ Show All Posts by FunkyRes ]
I use a BAH-1000 from Big Apple Herp (same as sold by LLL as Alife 1000) for my one corn still in a tank. I have the bulb in the substrate at about the middle point of the UTH.
I also have a digital thermometer that records high and low - and it seems to vary from 78 to 88 during any given 2 hour period.
I also have a Helix DBS 1000 for my rack setup (uses Flexwatt) - and it keeps the temperature spot on, with maybe only a 2 degree variance all day. In fact, I'm considering buying a night drop cable just to give them a small drop at night (there is one with the BAH 1000 controlled tank - it seems ambient air affects its thermostat readings)
The more expensive proportional thermostats (like the Helix DBS 1000) keep much more precise temperature control and may extend the life of the heating element, but are worth it IMHO.
There should be a slight gap between the UTH and tank bottom, especially with glass tank bottoms. This reduces the chance of burning the animal if something goes wrong with your heat control and the heat source gets too hot. Even with a thermostat, check temp daily to make sure it is working within parameters.
What I'm starting to do now is put the thermostat directly on the heat source - but measure temp inside the tank with a digital thermometer lead in the middle of the "hot spot". Works quite well.
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x.y L. getula californiae (Cal. King)
x.y L. getula nigrita (MBK)
x.y L. getula floridana (Brooksi)
x.y Pantherophis guttatus guttatus (Corn)
0.1 Pituophis catenifer catenifer (Pacific gopher)
0.1 Heterodon nasicus (W Hognose)
x.y.z Elgaria multicarinata multicarinata - (Cal. Alligator Lizard)
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RE: My first snake - FunkyRes, Wed Sep 26 00:42:36 2007