Reptile & Amphibian Forums

So to start this question is in regards to pyros and zonata. I've been housing several of each in a 28 qt rack. It's got ambient temps at 70 or sometimes lower in the coolest spot in the tubs and a warm spot of around 80-82.
Upon checking my enclosure I wondered how this should be measured to best control temps, so I temp gunned the plastic and heating device. The plastic is at about 88-90 degrees but as stated before, this is only where the heating element is and in a very small portion, and its only if the zs or pyros go down under everything and sit directly on plastic. Is this ok?

I've used a multitude of heating devices including flexwatt, ultratherm heat pads, heat cable, and lamps on tanks. They all seem to have this same situation where the plastic or glass especially will reach a higher temp than what's actually dispersed and established in bedding and above. I also take my temp gun when I go herping and have seen both species under rocks that temped around 90 in cooler wheather with sun hitting them.

So my main question is..... If it is POSSIBLE for the snake to go to higher temperatures, again not higher than 90 ever, but the ambient and overall temps are lower, is this ok?

I measure the hot spot in my tubs on the plastic itself, under the substrate. I figure they can get there if they need it. I usually go to 80 on the z's and pyros max, and as cool as I can get the cool side. (usually 70 in the summer and 60's right now.) If I had really long tubs I would probably push the hot spot up to the high 80's. If I do that now it raises the cool side too much. Now, my getula get a hot spot in the 90 range.

Joe

Very good! Same idea I have. The bigger the area and cooler cold spot, the warmer the basking spot. I'm using vision racks with great air flow and under tub heat via heat cable only on a small portion so even though they do have a pretty hot basking spot, they are not obligated to go near it.

When I was using back wall heat on my 16 qt tubs rack, I couldn't provide a lot of heat. If I did 90 in the back, the coolest spot would have been 84 and torture my animals... Lol

Thanks for the response!

No problem. Yes, you have the right set-up IMO. I need to move all mine in that direction. I am a believer in if they can get totally away from the hot spot and get cool, you cannot have it too warm. They just go to the temps they need.

Joe

This to me is the benefit of back heat, you can increase the temp of the hot spot without as much impact on the ambient temps in the rest of the cage.
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