Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Okay so I have my firsts Rainbows coming any day no and i have just one question, what temp do you set your thermostat to? My setup is a large rack system with the 36" deep tubs from wallyword but not sure hoe to set up the tape. I have a Ranco controller for them but where do i put the temp probe,1) on the tape, 2) in the tub, 3) somewhere else. Sorry for the long post, tnx for your help.

IMO with a on/off thermostat (Ranco) you should not put the probe directly on the heat tape like you would with a proportional thermostat. Still, should place it close to the heat tape. Wherever you place it, you will have to monitor tub temps to see what temp setting on the thermostat will give you the desired in tub temps.
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Thanks,

Dave Colling

www.rainbows-r-us-reptiles.com

0.1 Wife (WC and still very fiesty)
0.2 kids (CBB, a big part of our selective breeding program)

LOL, to many snakes to list, last count (02/01/2010):
42.61 BRB
27.40 BCI
And those are only the breeders

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

Tnx. do you think putting it in the tub through a small whole will work? How high should I place it in the tub if I do. What temp am i looking for, what temp should I have it shut off at? Sorry for all the questions just want to make sure I get it right. Right now I have it set at 85 and the tub is 75 at the cool end and between 84 and 87 on the warm end. the probe is on the tape now though.
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1.1 ball python Bumblebee male, normal female
1.1 corn snakes just random albino ones
1.1 womas
1.1 ATB
1.1 BRB on the way
1.1 Bearded dragons
Red tegu, my buddy
1.1 coastal carpets

Ok I am playing around with getting the right temps in there, I have been keeping a hide box with wet napkins to gauge the humidity and it seems to stay near 80%, sometimes up to 90%. Where do you guys get your moss from I cant find any large quantities just the little bags. Is there a less expensive alternative to control the heat better the the Ranco, I see units at Petco but not sure if they are any good?
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1.1 ball python Bumblebee male, normal female
1.1 corn snakes just random albino ones
1.1 womas
1.1 ATB
1.1 BRB on the way
1.1 Bearded dragons
Red tegu, my buddy
1.1 coastal carpets

Most pet stores carry sphagnum moss and I have noticed moss is now available in dried compressed 'bricks' much like coconut fiber. Just add water and it expands greatly.

Its called 'Forest Moss' put out by Exo-terra and comes in a two brick package (or at least the one I bought did, not sure if this a intro packing or not...but I still see them in stores here and its been about a year since I bought mine.

These bricks have more than enough moss for 6 (or maybe more as I think I also used some for my corn snake egg laying hide too) large hides for rainbow boas. I used about a third of a single brick per hide and that was alot of moss...once you saturate it with water and wring out the excess...(will get alot of dirty looking water washing out but don't think this is an issue). Fluff it up and it works great.

I know sphagnum moss can be ordered in huge bussels or blocks from online stores as well. Alot cheaper than buying a small cube of it at the pet store. Just do a search for sphagnum moss (don't confuse it with sphagnum peat moss...which is basically ground up moss, you need the long fiber moss)
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PHLdyPayne

LOL, just remember, you opened the thermostat discussion!!

Buy cheap, get cheap. Do you really want a cheap unit to control temperatures that are critical to the life of your snake? Cheap ones are typically made from less expensive components, less precise in actual temperature control and more likely to fail.

On/Off thermostats like the round brown dial ones (even Ranco's) are usually designed around a mechanical relay. Mechanical relays can and do stick. Not nearly as bad if they stick in the off position, deadly if they stick on. Yes, not real common to stick on but DOES happen. I've seen dual Ranco setups for sale where the second thermostat is a failsafe for the first. Duh, would not even be available if there were not instances of one sticking full on.

The thermostats I prefer are proportional solid state ones. Programed to shut off on failure and post a visible error code in the display. Herpstat, Herpstat ND or Helix DBS1000 would be my choice for a single thermostat. If you have multiple cages Herpstat Pro is four individual thermostats bundled into one control box and ends up being significantly cheaper than four separate units.
-----
Thanks,

Dave Colling

www.rainbows-r-us-reptiles.com

0.1 Wife (WC and still very fiesty)
0.2 kids (CBB, a big part of our selective breeding program)

LOL, to many snakes to list, last count (02/01/2010):
42.61 BRB
27.40 BCI
And those are only the breeders

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

The herpstat pro is exactly what i need. I have the Ranco from my saltwater days and did not want to buy 4 more of those for my racks. Sorry did not mean cheap just spend my money more wisely. I have to convince the wife everything costs 20 bucks you know.lol
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1.1 ball python Bumblebee male, normal female
1.1 corn snakes just random albino ones
1.1 womas
1.1 ATB
1.1 BRB on the way
1.1 Bearded dragons
Red tegu, my buddy
1.1 coastal carpets