Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I don't have a snake yet, but I'm close and getting my cage setup. I had a custom cage by Repti-Racks to fit our book shelf. Cage came out great and came with radiant heat on left side of cage and a light on the right side.

I'm not getting a good gradient in temperature from one side to the other. I have a Helix controller and the sensor comes down in the middle as that's where the cage hole was and wire isn't long enough to move to far left. I have sensor set at 78, but even on the cold side far right the temp isn't any cooler.

It is hot here in Texas right now and we have the temp about 74 which heats up to 78 in the evening. So I think maybe if I set the temp to 84 then hopefully the cool side isn't much more than room temp or even lower.

Hmm, not sure what question I'm asking as I think I answered it myself. Any suggestions for a good gradient and do you recommend 84 or something else for the warm side?

The humidity is 60%, is that good?

Thanks!
rob

Nice setup. I have 4 of them from Steve- he does do a nice job!

What kind of snake is this going to be for? The gradients/humidity all depends on the species of snake to be housed...

//Todd

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First of all - nice cage!

I believe you can purchase longer thermostat leads for Helix. I *think* the Bean Farm carries them but I'm not sure. That may solve your issue, as it really is best to have the thermostat lead on the warm side.

With Cal Kings - I just set thermostat to about 80 on the warm side and don't worry about the cool side - during summer, I actually drop the thermostat down to 76 because my summer indoor temp is in the 80s and I just want to produce a little warmth at night.

Again I must say - what a gorgeous setup!
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I decided my old sig was too big.

Oh - and humidity isn't too important with Cal Kings. They do fine is just about all types of humidity, and that setup looks like it will hold humidity well enough that the water dish will provide any that is needed.
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I decided my old sig was too big.

Rob,
Just like Funky said. Nice thing about the CalKings (and a lot of kings for that matter), they are fairly easy to care for- not nearly as demanding as some of the other species out there.

I keep my kings in a Vision rack right now with UTH only, and they're all doing great.

I really like Steve's PVC cages because they're great for some of the python's out there that thrive in more humid environments- his cages are awesome for keeping in the humidity with a heat panel!

Here's a couple pics of some of mine in his caging:

Before greens:

Here's what they all look like now:

//Todd

Room temp was 76 this morning and the cold side was 81, so a little better gradient. Think I will take the suggestion and get a longer temp sensor cord to place on far warm side. Maybe set temp at 82-83 and in summer that should give gradient down to 79 and winter when our room temp is high 60's might set temp at 85 and gradient might go to mid 70's.

First of all, your future snake is lucky to be owned by someone who puts so much thought into all this before he even arrives. Great looking setup.

Can you move the light to the same side as the heat source? I would think the light is warming up the cool side. But I don't really know much, I'm a relative beginner to all this.
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1.1 Florida Kingsnake
1.0 Kisatchie Cornsnake

I was told the light doesn't provide any heat, that should be easy enough to test with my hand though.

It might only provide a couple of degrees, but that would be enough to throw your gradient off. Even fluorescent bulbs give off heat, just enough to throw off a thermometer.

I try to keep my lights on the same side as my heat source. ^_^ Makes things a little easier.
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Holly

0.1 Lavender California Kingsnake (Lizzie Borden) (missing )
1.0 Florida Kingsnake (Eddie Gein)
0.0.2 Cornsnakes (Lyle & Erik Menendez)
1.0 Bearded Dragon (Charley Manson)
1.0 Orange Marmalade Cat (Oliver)
1.0 Black Cat (Shadowfax)
1.0 Egyptian Arabian (Bagan) (Deceased )
1.0 Tennessee Walking Horse (Durango)

2.0 Toddlers (Justice & Trevor)

Another issue - wood is an extremely good thermal insulator, it may be difficult to get a good gradient in that book case.

However - I suspect that replacing the probe with a longer one and setting the warm side at a conservative 80F to 82F will provide enough of a cool area at the other side. Proportional is excellent since it will limit the current flow to a trickle once it reaches temp.
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I decided my old sig was too big.

www.helixcontrols.com/Probes.htm
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I decided my old sig was too big.

great set up,,,lucky snake,,,but i think you are missing 1 important piece of equipment,,,hide boxes,,,,1 on the cool side and 1 on the warm,,,,some only use 1,,,,i wanna see the snake when you get it,,,,
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Ball Python
Jungle Carpet Python
Eastern King
Mexican Black King
Sonoran Gopher
Aberrent Cal King
Anduran Milk
Hypo Brooks
Amel Motley Corn
White Sided Bull
Striped Pacific Gopher

I love the smell of aspen shavings in the morning...lol

"To serve man..it's...it's a cookbook!"

yes, I have 1 old hide, but just ordered 2 matching ones. Have pinkies and some feedings tongs on the way. still need a snake though.

Very nice cage!!! Looks big too!!
What are the ambient temps of the room that this cage will be in? I ask cause that is what I usually do with my collection, and usually have the temps between 78 and 80.
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Genesis 1:1

wife likes 78, I like 74 in the summer.

Usually 74 in morning, but will heat up to 78 in evening. Winter we keep it 66-70.

I see..then yeah, you may need a gradient of some kind then.
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Genesis 1:1