Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am getting a baby Brazilian Rainbow boa and am trying to figure out the temperatures.

I have an undertank heater(with a dimmer), which makes the substrate(coco fibre) around 83, but the temperature of the air(cool side) is around 70.

how can I get the temperatures right?... or is this good enough

thanks

Numbers sound good, your low is good 72 would be ideal but it's enough of a gradient for him or her. Dumb question, your temps are at gound level and what is your humidity?

"Dumb question, your temps are at gound level and what is your humidity?"

do you mean what is my humidity? or where am i measuring my humidity from?

either way, my humidity is at around 80, but i dont have water in the waterdish yet.

so i think i'm set!

You are using a temp gun, thermostat or rheostat? How are you getting them numbers is the question? Humidity, if you are asking how I am getting that, that would be called a hygrometer. Any rainbow owner would know this, so do a little research before you get it, for your sake and your pets. Theoretically if you placed your temp gauge 2 to 3 inches above the substrate, than how accurate would your temps be then, so "are your temps at ground level or not? This is not a dumb question but a very common mistake made by people.
Bob

Oh. I know what a hygrometer is. I was just confused by your question of "your temps are at gound level and what is your humidity?"
I wasnt sure whether you meant where are you measuring the humidity or how.

I'll explain my setup. I'm using an Undertank heater on one side of my tank. I have a thermometer with a probe on both sides of the tank, the one on the hot side is laying ontop of the substrate(kind of poked in) , and the one on the cold side is in the air(1-2 inches).

Is that the best way to measure them?

That is nice you spent the money and got the probe and nine yards. I believe you are going to want to secure the probes to the tank though. Most people attach the probe to the very bottom of your cage, tank, etc.. This way your probe can't be damaged or moved because a malfunctioning probe due to the wire getting defected or bitten could mess with your heating device. I check for humidity around the hides I supply. I use coconuts, you could use flower pots, tubberware but remember smaller is better because they love small places rather than big hides. A little guy or girl needs more humidity than say an older brb. I place a hygrom. in the corner of my vivariums so it is more pleasant on the eye. Happy New Year and good luck and don't forget to post pics when you get him.

yeah, I've been around snakes for a while, so i know all that stuff. I was just wondering whether the substrate heat(83) was more important then the ambient air temperature(69)