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 #1702013


Tikwid
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 Problem with tank heating

So i’ve been doing a lot of research on BRBs and had decided to get one a while back. However, from what I have read, it is much wiser to get a tank up and running before actually having the snake. So I set up my tank for a baby BRB that I plan to purchase from a reptile house. It’s a 10 gallon tank with an UTH, a hideaway on the cooler side of the tank, and most of the tank is covered in moss. Also, there is foil under the screen top to keep in humidity/heat and has about a 25% opening.

Sorry that was so long, but the situation is that my temp. reader won’t reach the appropriate temp. of about 80 degrees, it levels out around 70ish. I wonder if it’s just the room I have the tank in or if I need a bigger UTH? Any help would be great.
04/13/08  07:47pm

 #1702234


Ambiguous666
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   Message To: Tikwid   In reference to Message Id: 1702013


 Problem with tank heating

Yea well I had the same problem and I figured it out, I don’t know if it is the same reason but first what kind of thermostat do you have?

Is it the kind with the probe that you can stick directly into the hot spot or is it just stuck on the wall?

Because when I first had my boa I had that same prob. with the temp being to low but I just had a thermometer up on the sidewall so it wasn’t reading the actual hot spot where my snake would go, it reading the temp up there, so I got one with the probe and put it where he actually goes and I found out it was at the right temp.

also what kind of UTH is it? make sure it is not one made for desert herps because it can burn him. And what size?


also you said it is covered mostly in moss, but what other substrate are you using, not to change your set up but just to let you know I use that bed a beast or Eco earth substrate blocks that expand with water and besides holding humidity very well I found at least in my tank it also helped maintain the right temp better.



04/13/08  10:10pm

 #1702295


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   Message To: Ambiguous666   In reference to Message Id: 1702234


 Problem with tank heating

You will probably need a small Ceramic heat emitter to get the warm side up to 85.
04/13/08  11:08pm

 #1702298


Tikwid
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   Message To: Ambiguous666   In reference to Message Id: 1702234


 Problem with tank heating

it’s the wall stuck one, and right now its reading at about 73 degrees, so maybe where my boa stays may be in the right temp. I’ll be sure to grab a probe one next time I’m at the store. As for the UTH, I didn’t think it made a difference, but it’s under his water bowl however it is a desert heater, 4 x 5 inch. Thanks for telling me, but what kind should I pick up? Is there a tropical kind I can use?

The other substrate is repti-bark, I’ve read it does well with humidity, but I’m open to suggestions. I’ll look into that eco earth stuff. Thanks again, I’ll post back when I get a new UTH and thermometer reader.
04/13/08  11:13pm

 #1702431


Gfx
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   Message To: Tikwid   In reference to Message Id: 1702298


 Problem with tank heating

Cover the whole screen with something and see how that works for you. 85 is way too hot for a BRB, it’ll cook. 77 throughout is a good temp or a gradient of 75-80.

You dont mention humidity. Screen topped aquariums are horrible for keeping BRBs unless you seal that screen quite a bit. A 25% opening is way too big, you probably wont need an opening bigger than a quarter. I keep my young ones at 90%+ and my older ones at 75%+. Foil may or may not work, if it has gaps, try duct tape over the screen.

Once you seal off that top, let your setup sit for a 1/2 day and see what the temps are. The higher humidity will help raise the temps throughout the tank. I always see some condensation on the walls of my baby enclosures

The simple stick on the wall thermometers from the pet store are inadequate for this species, get a wired indoor/outdoor thermometer/hygrometer. If you really want to do this right, get a temp gun so you can measure various places in the enclosure as well as the snake itself.

These guys are easier to kill than the usual pet store snakes so you’d be wise to spend a little extra to get the right equipment from the get go. Sounds like you’re on the right track already in setting up before you get your new snake.



04/14/08  01:47am

 #1702478


Ambiguous666
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   Message To: Tikwid   In reference to Message Id: 1702298


 Problem with tank heating

Yes here is the one for tropical reptiles, I have this one as well and it works great, the 4x5 seems a little to small I would try a little bigger and they make ones that are. They come in small, medium, and large. I think you said you have a 10 gallon right? I have one that is medium I think this one should fit perfectly, if not then small. get that one. I’m not sure if that the medium one or small but which ever one it is that’s the one. You want it to cover a good portion of the tank but enough to where he can easily retreat to the cool side.





Also over 85 degrees will NOT kill your boa, I don’t know where this guy got his info from but no that is wrong, it should have a hot side of at least 85 to 90. The cooler side can be the mid/high 70s if you wish. Your boa will move when he is too hot. lol

And not to say these other guys are wrong about there set up but you don’t have to use a ceramic heater, or anything else that’s just there choice, the UTH works great.

Well If you get that one above you might want to put his hide spot over it instead of the water dish so he can get the best heat there. Unless he can go under the dish too.

Also yea I tried that reptibark before with my carpet and I don’t know if it was just mine but I found it wasn’t holding the humidity as well as it claimed to, is it for you? Also if you feed him in the cage it is a lot more dangerous for him to swallow then the bed a beast or Eco earth, those are harmless if swallowed.



04/14/08  03:21am

 #1702661


Tikwid
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   Message To: Ambiguous666   In reference to Message Id: 1702478


 Problem with tank heating

Alright so I went to check on the boa I was going to purchase and apparently now he’s about the length of 1 1/2 of a 10 gallon tank... is a 10 gallon too small and should I up to a 15 now?

I’ll go buy the medium one today, and a thermo/hygrometer too, but if I get that will a temp. gun really be necessary? I guess it would save me money on my buying more thermos for other animals, but would it be okay to just get the temp gun and not a thermometer then?

From things I’ve read it has said that it’s a good idea to put the dish over the UTH to improve humidity, but if I get the medium sized one I can probably fit a hide and his dish over it.

The reptibark I have doesn’t really seem to do much at all, it’s more of just... ’there’. If anything it just drys out rather than hold in any water. The moss I have in the tank puts some slight condensation against the wall, but only where the moss is, and thats right after I water it. So it goes away after about half a day.

Alright so to recap I’ll get a 15 gallon (with secure screen top, rather than seperate screen/aquarium), a medium rainforest UTH, and a wired/probed thermometer/hygrometer. Once I get these I’ll hit back with pics of the setup and see what you guys think. Thanks so much. :)
04/14/08  10:13am

 #1703280


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   Message To: Gfx   In reference to Message Id: 1702431


 Problem with tank heating

Quote:

85 is way too hot for a BRB, it’ll cook. 77 throughout is a good temp or a gradient of 75-80.



Where did you hear this?That’s bull.A 75-85 gradiant is perfect for a brb,I keep mine at 80-85.You never want to go above 88 with Epicrates cenchria cenchria.



Quote:

The simple stick on the wall thermometers from the pet store are inadequate for this species, get a wired indoor/outdoor thermometer/hygrometer. If you really want to do this right, get a temp gun so you can measure various places in the enclosure as well as the snake itself.



That i agree with 100%



04/14/08  07:07pm

 #1703885


Gfx
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   Message To: Addicted   In reference to Message Id: 1703280


 Problem with tank heating

Quote:

Where did you hear this?That’s bull.A 75-85 gradiant is perfect for a brb,I keep mine at 80-85.You never want to go above 88 with Epicrates cenchria cenchria.



I absolutely disagree, 85-88 is way too hot, I’d never go above 82 and mine are all thriving perfectly at 75-80ish gradient.
04/15/08  03:25am

 #1703968


Tikwid
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   Message To: Gfx   In reference to Message Id: 1703885


 Problem with tank heating

so yeah, 77-84 gradient we can all agree on? k thanks :)

I decided to cover up my brb’s tank about 90% now, and the condensation is basically covering the left side of the tank (the 10% opening is on the right, above the water dish), and even though the wall stick thermo isn’t very accurate, it’s reading at about 75-78 degrees. Regardless, I’ll be picking up a thermo/hygro acu rite meter today.
04/15/08  07:55am

 #1704213


Gfx
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   Message To: Tikwid   In reference to Message Id: 1703968


 Problem with tank heating

Sounds like you’re on the right track. A bit more tweaking and you’ll have it all set. I like the Acurite indoor/outdoor thermometer from Lowe’s. If you’re not in the US, you can look it up on their site and find something similar locally.
04/15/08  02:12pm

 #1704484


Addicted
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   Message To: Gfx   In reference to Message Id: 1704213


 Problem with tank heating

Quote:

85-88 is way too hot



I never said 85-88 gradiant.I said 75 80 cool side,85 warm side.And i said to never go over 88 because that is danderous for these snakes.82 seems a bit cool for a basking area.
04/15/08  05:51pm

 #1705218


Tikwid
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   Message To: Gfx   In reference to Message Id: 1704213


 Problem with tank heating

Alright so I got a probed thermometer and a regular hygrometer. The thermometer jumps around during the day between 75-77 degrees, and the hygrometer is at 70%. Anything I can do to up these?
04/16/08  08:21am

 #1705367


Gfx
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   Message To: Tikwid   In reference to Message Id: 1705218


 Problem with tank heating

Ooh, so close!

Cover the entire screen temporarily and leave it for 1/2 a day to see where the temp and humidity ends up. I find it easier to go backwards, cover it all and then uncover a little bit at a time until I get where I need to be. It seems like there wouldnt be enough air in the housing I’ve got for my guys, but they thrive. A few even live in snap top plastic shoe boxes with 6 small holes drilled on each side.

You’re almost there. :)
04/16/08  11:47am


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