Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Well I just got my new toy, a temp gun from pro-exotics, and found out I have been trying to cook my snakes. I have a 10 gallon with a undertank heater. It is a reptizoo or something like that. But anyway, it is reading 98f with no overhead heat. I actually used a 40 watt bulb on it too which had it embarrisingly high.

I had my corn in it for a year like this. He is now in a 20 long with the same setup. The temp is also in the 90 degree range. The cool is in the 70's on both so i think it is cool.

So what can I do to bring these temps down? The corn has always eaten/shed great. My new baird is only a few weeks old and had her issues but ate and shed this week. I have heard people talking of a rhetrostat(?) but don't know what that is or how to use it with the setup I have. Any suggestions would be great. I feel like an a-hole for just figuring this out.

And by the way-those stick on thermostats are crap. I know, I heard that before but didn't know they were that off. Mine read 80f so I figured it would be maybe 5 degrees higher. I was so wrong...
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0.0.1 Amel Motley Corn (Cosmo '03)
0.1 Baird's ratsnake (Sugaree '04)
1.1 Shepherd mix (Dylan 5yrs, Porter 20weeks)

TempGuns are great, aren't they. I was addicted to using mine upon first receiving it in the mail. I personally use heating pads that I buy for $10 at WalMart. They have 3 settings and have worked fine for me for many years. I find these to be the most effective for me and less risk due to fire hazard associated with other methods. I'm not an electrician, nor am I willing to risk wiring things myself. You might want to try to bring down your high temp of 90 just a bit...but its good that the snake has a range to choose from. Rheostat is like a thermostat and from my understanding is simply a device used to regulate the temperature. Thermostats are also similar but more accurate I think. You can buy them at most of the herp supply dealers. Don't worry...we all make mistakes at some point or another so there's no need to feel, as you said, like an a-hole.lol. Besides, you're right, the stick-on thermometers are crap but many unknowledgeable petstore people still recommend them to new reptile keepers. I have one in my basement from 10 years ago stuck to an old aquarium and I believe it is stuck at 82 despite my basement being in the 60 to low 70 range.lol.
Well, best of luck with however you decide to heat your herps. I personally always look to use the safest method since I'm a homeowner and would not want to burn down my house due to a wiring or overload problem on my part.
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Sincerely,
Jason
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I'm stopping at 60...I swear!

Have a smoke/fire detector in your snakeroom.Sooner or later something is gonna go wrong.I had a less than year old uth burn out on me and kill a corn.It had a rheostat and I had just checked it the day before.If I wouldnt have been home there would have been a blaze.Ive used uth for over 20 years now and this is the first time this has happened.It was an eye opener...Paul

Thanks Jason. I went and got 2 of the heating pads at wal-mart today. Do you just leave them on all day without a problem? I figure turning them off at night will bring them to 70F because that's what my apartment is at. But biggest question was if it is cool to just turn the pad on and let it stay. I will be monitoring them this evening to find the right setting. Thanks again for your help.
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0.0.1 Amel Motley Corn (Cosmo '03)
0.1 Baird's ratsnake (Sugaree '04)
1.1 Shepherd mix (Dylan 5yrs, Porter 20weeks)

Just leave them on all day. No need to make the temps drop at night. I find it easier to just let them stay on and basically maintain constant temps.
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1.0 Ball Python "Aragorn"
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0.1 Rough-Scale Sand Boa "Arwen"
0.1 California Kingsnake "Gentoo"
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I leave mien on 24/7 and cover/uncover part of the tank to adjust air temps. Low setting is perfect for my 20 long aquarium, i use double layer of paper towel as substrate. I leave the top completely uncovered during the day to get the temp gradient, but cover 1/2 to 3/4 of the top at night as it has been going down into the low 60's lately.

good luck

Wayne