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Valvaren
Snake mite
Canada
47 Posts |
 Posted - 20/07/2012 : 17:13:43
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So I've been planning and reading for awhile now but never put anything in to practice since I wasn't sure if my friends BRB would have a successful litter. Seeing as how she did and I am going to be getting my pair things have gotten serious.
I'm going to be starting out with tubs, and testing paper towel and the bowels I have picked up for humidity and adjusting as needed. If paper towel doesn't work I will make the switch to a loose substrate (hoping I wont have to as I don't really like it)
If all that works out, then my next step is adding in a humid hide and working that to be perfect. For this i'm wondering if there is anything step by step directions I can look into making one?
Now for the issue I realized last night. I currently keep my 4 snakes on human heat mats, monitored daily with multiple checking with a probe, my problem is these heat mats don't go at a low enough setting for BRBs so my biggest question is, i'm looking into heat mats and thermostats for them. I'm not looking for anything really expensive, but I don't want something cheap, herpstat is something i'm considering as I know its the best of the best but I'm wondering if there is any other proportional thermostat I can look into for a little less, I don't want a rheostat or anything with a dimmer as I will not take the chance, I was something constant.
Now the reason i'm working to hold off on a 100$ thermostat is solely so I can put more money towards an emergency, if I can find a stat that is a little cheaper but can get the job done safely and with no issue I would rather save the 20-50 bucks to put towards vets or anything, I have never needed to take an animal to the vet and have been completely issue free since getting my first reptile, but stuff happens and i want to be safe.
My biggest issue is just that shipping will more then likely turn 100 into a lot more.
From my understanding of how a thermostat works, if I get one will it allow my current mats to reach that lower temperature?
Thank you guys, I wont be getting them home till sept so I have lots of time to plan and test. |
www.animalmom.ca |
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jeff7377
New Member
USA
76 Posts |
Posted - 20/07/2012 : 19:02:15
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I just bought another zoo med thermostat and I think it should work with your heat pads. It basically shuts off the power to the heating device once temp its met. Paid $39 with shipping. A far as shipping cost go for your babies, its not cheap but its worth the cost. Another thing you probably already know is if you have the environment right for reptiles you shouldn't have any health issues. As far as a humid hid I believe the is a thread posted in the DIY section of this that should help.
Have fun and enjoy your new additions
Jeff |
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Snakesitter
Rainbow Master
USA
2718 Posts |
Posted - 20/07/2012 : 22:42:47
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Humid hides need not be complex affairs: even a butter tub, upside down and with an entry hole cut into the side, will do fine once filled with damp moss. (Just remember to remove the butter first. ;-) )
As Jeff said, a quality thermostat is well worth it. I'm not too familiar with using human heat pads for reptiles, but am not sure they go low enough to work. You might want to call the manufacturer (or look up the model in-line) to find its lowest possible setting.
Good for you for planning a reptile emergency fund -- I wish more people did! |
Cliff Earle
Living Gems Reptiles
Premium Brazilian Rainbow Boas from a disease-tested facility
Website, Facebook |
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Valvaren
Snake mite
Canada
47 Posts |
Posted - 21/07/2012 : 04:27:10
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Thank you guys, Jeff i'll have to look into that thermostat, I wasn't to sure if on/off ones would be okay since I worried when they shut off if it would cause enough of a drop to throw off humidity, and 40 dollars is more then fine, like I said I only want to go the cheap way if I can be sure I can find something that I know will do the job, I don't want something I have to worried about, if what you suggested works for you I'll look into it, if I can't find anything that I can trust I'm more then willing to spend the 100 dollars, I didn't mean to come off like I was trying to cut corners, just looking to find a deal if there is one to be had.
The human mats have gave perfect temps for my balls and boas which have higher then 85 requirements for basking spots, I keep my balls on the low setting to get a basking of 88 and my boas on medium to get the high basking for them.
Since it seems the heat mats I have wont work, what is a good reptile heat mat? I've never purchased from pet stores as I try to limit how much I support them, but if a zoomed type mat would provide proper temps I will for sure give them a shot. |
www.animalmom.ca |
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jeff7377
New Member
USA
76 Posts |
Posted - 21/07/2012 : 04:48:15
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Zoo med does make them. Thats the brand I use and they work great for me paired up with the thermosat. I think one for a small RUB will run around $20. The large one I have for my 104 liter rub cost $37. I maintain temps from 73f cool side to 82f hot side and hold humidity between 89-91 % using the thermostat keeps it perfect.
Happy shopping
Jeff |
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IncurableFlirt
Yearling
USA
516 Posts |
Posted - 21/07/2012 : 07:22:53
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| I, too, use the Zoo Med setups (Zoo Med Repti-Temp 500R) for my rack and also for my individual mats (like on Marius' tank). A lot of people don't like the Zoo Med one because it doesn't come with a built in thermometer. However, you can buy digital thermometers and place them where you need them to be without any issues. I got my setups off of Amazon.com, because when you place a big enough order (over $28), you get free shipping. :D I have been using the Zoo Med ones for quite a while now and have not had any trouble with keeping my temps within 1-2 degrees of my setting. Oh...the other thing people don't like about the Zoo Med ones is that they have a dial on them with a temp gradient label, but it doesn't give the temps for those gradients, so in the beginning it is a bit of a guessing game and you have to play with it some to get the settings right. However, once you get the settings correct, the thermostats work as they're supposed to and hold the temp gradient well. Or so this is my experiences with them. ;) Best of luck with whatever you get, and major kudos to you for taking the time before you bring your RBs home to make sure you have it all right. :) |
Jenn.
11.8 Ball pythons
1.0 BCI boa
1.0 Brazilian Rainbow boa |
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Snakesitter
Rainbow Master
USA
2718 Posts |
Posted - 23/07/2012 : 19:20:39
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| I've never tried the Zoo Med product...I typically use Flexwatt, which is a time-tested, reptile-specific heat tape sold by several major vendors, but it does require installation. Note that it too would require a thermostat. |
Cliff Earle
Living Gems Reptiles
Premium Brazilian Rainbow Boas from a disease-tested facility
Website, Facebook |
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jeff7377
New Member
USA
76 Posts |
Posted - 23/07/2012 : 21:11:40
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I need to look into that. Thanks Cliff
Jeff |
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IncurableFlirt
Yearling
USA
516 Posts |
Posted - 24/07/2012 : 00:37:11
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| Cliff, I use Flexwatt too, but use the Zoo Med thermostat that I specified. ;) |
Jenn.
11.8 Ball pythons
1.0 BCI boa
1.0 Brazilian Rainbow boa |
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Snakesitter
Rainbow Master
USA
2718 Posts |
Posted - 24/07/2012 : 20:26:26
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| Well, Incurable's the proof that Flex and Zoo work well together. ;-) |
Cliff Earle
Living Gems Reptiles
Premium Brazilian Rainbow Boas from a disease-tested facility
Website, Facebook |
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IncurableFlirt
Yearling
USA
516 Posts |
Posted - 24/07/2012 : 20:42:16
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| Flexwatt is the shtuff! :D Honestly I have considered getting rid of my remaining heat mats altogether and getting more flexwatt. It heats more evenly and works like a charm. If you buy it from a decent place, they will even do all of the connecting and stuff for you, so all you gotta do is plug it in to your thermostat. |
Jenn.
11.8 Ball pythons
1.0 BCI boa
1.0 Brazilian Rainbow boa |
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Valvaren
Snake mite
Canada
47 Posts |
Posted - 31/07/2012 : 16:18:31
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| IncurableFlirt is it the Repti-Temp 500R with the remote sensor that you use? |
www.animalmom.ca |
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jeff7377
New Member
USA
76 Posts |
Posted - 31/07/2012 : 16:21:38
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| Thats the one I use. |
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Valvaren
Snake mite
Canada
47 Posts |
Posted - 31/07/2012 : 16:24:42
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K so from what I understand that one doesn't display temp so I would need another thermostat to display, would a temp gun be okay to use or do I need to have something that displays 24/7 I would be checking temps multiple times daily
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www.animalmom.ca |
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Valvaren
Snake mite
Canada
47 Posts |
Posted - 31/07/2012 : 16:36:58
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| Also if this works I was wondering if I bought an extra large mat, that would fit under both tubs atleast while they are hatchlings could I let them share a mat? And as they needed a bigger enclosure I would just buy another mat? I have my balls sharing a large mat and its works out fine but I want to make sure if it would be okay or not before I get them. |
www.animalmom.ca |
Edited by - Valvaren on 31/07/2012 16:38:04 |
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IncurableFlirt
Yearling
USA
516 Posts |
Posted - 31/07/2012 : 16:37:28
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| Valvaren, yeah...the Repti-Temp 500R with remote sensor. You wouldn't need an additional thermostat, you will just need a thermometer (a little different, as it's just a temperature checker with a probe). I place the probe for the thermometer directly on or in front of the flexwatt (or heat mat) and it gives me an accurate reading on how hot the flexwatt is. The only downside to the 500R is that it isn't digital and doesn't display the temp, it has a dial that you basically move one way or the other to turn up or down. Once you get it set so that it is keeping your temps at your desired range, though, you don't need to ever touch the dial again. ;) |
Jenn.
11.8 Ball pythons
1.0 BCI boa
1.0 Brazilian Rainbow boa |
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Topic |
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Advice and suggestions on setting up my hatchlings
