What's the best way to set up a timer or thermostat to help regulate day/night and warm side/cool side temps for a Columbian Red Tail? We have a 20g long, and a one month old baby. We're currently using a UTH, IR UVA lamp when needed, and a few hours of UVB.
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Heat gradient
Luke_Hunt
Aug 06, 2006 12:55 PM
Replies (4)
whiteboa
Aug 07, 2006 08:27 PM
well i always use a thermostate to control the temp....it kinda depends on the size of cage....if you set the thermostate to stay at about 87-89 degrees for the warm side(set the probe near the direct beam of heat but not right under it...this will allow a slight increase right in the true "hot spot" but keep temps regulated) with a undercage heating device ...it should keep the cool side around 80-82...once again it depends on how ur cage is set up and how large but thats what works for me...just remember to keep the water source near the warm side so it allows the humidity level to rise...hope this helps
Luke_Hunt
Aug 07, 2006 10:27 PM
Thanks for the info. How would I go about rigging up a thermostat? Is a trip to Lowe's in my future? Sorry to be so clueless, I'm new, and this boa is quickly becoming my favorite pet, so I want to treat him right.
whiteboa
Aug 08, 2006 02:02 PM
when i started i made a trip to home depot...didnt help much...as far as having a thermostate that will be functional for you i would suggest a electronic temperature controller made by ESU Reptile...i purachesed mine for $40 at my local pet shop...petco use to carry them but i dont think so anymore....that is my easiest way for controlling a single tank temp...and isnt that expensive...it controlls up to 500 watts so you can have pleanty of heating devices if necesarry.
liquidleaf
Aug 08, 2006 03:31 PM
Not sure if you know, but most snakes do not require UVA/UVB lighting at all, since they're normally nocturnal and get calcium from the bones of the animals they eat. The reason I mention this is when I got my first snake I had both a heat lamp and UTH - but because of the heat lamp and the screen top that this required, it was very very hard to keep humidity high enough. Natural lighting and a (mostly) covered top will help you if your boa starts to have problems shedding. My snakes are all in plastic caging now with outdoor rope lights as lighting when I want to look at them, and UTH primarily for heat.
They are awesome pets!
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Lauren Madar
www.ophidiagems.com
1.1 Hog Island Boas
1.1 Hypo BCI
0.1 Sarong-type GTP
1.0 Normal Ball Python
