heat source

keithmatthews · #1 (**permalink**) 08-12-2008, 12:16 PM

Hi to all , I am slowly constructing together my viv at the moment, I have a lovely piece of 1/2 inch slate which the heat mat will be underneath, but Some ideas on the rest of the heat source would be great for the day time can any one give me good products of heat lamps would a hanging heat lamp with a protective mesh cover be ok or just a fixed lamp with a mesh cover fixed to top wall be ok, or is a fixed wall lamp with cover half way up side wall be ok , its all a little cofusing , info on the actual heating of viv through day time when mat turns off with thermostat would be great many thanks keith

froggsong · #2 (**permalink**) 08-12-2008, 02:27 PM

We really need some info on what you are housing before we can tell you how to heat it, because herps needs vary by type. Just post a little more info about your animal, the size of your tank (LxWxH), substrate, water area, etc... Then I'm sure many of us will be able to help you a little better!

keithmatthews · #3 (**permalink**) 08-12-2008, 03:20 PM

sorry about that, 3 month old royal python viv size when she grows 4ft long 2ft depth and 3ft high substrate probably wood chippens of the right type thanks alot Keith

froggsong · #4 (**permalink**) 08-12-2008, 04:02 PM

No problem, we all do it... All we have on the mind is the question we need to ask, and then we forget the background info! I'm not sure if you are really going to NEED a tank that large, as these guys stay almost exclusively inside their hides. Of course, the more hides you can offer the better... Just make sure you have it set up with lots of hides and plants (fake is better, you don't want the substrate wet enough to support live plants, and they will likely get trampled anyway, plus it is easier to remove and sanitize fake plants), so that the snake feels very secure. It is also good to have a branch or two in the enclosure so that they can climb a little if they want to. You also need something rough-ish to aide in shedding, I left a bit of bark on the branch I put in there, and there is a wood plank that the middle hide is made of that is somewhat rough, plus I put a place in the BG that has pebbles on it.

I have my 20G long glass tank set up with a heat mat on one side (currently on a rheostat, until I can get a thermostat). I have one hide on either side, one directly above the heat mat on the warm side, and one on the cool side under a 25 watt red light to boost the ambient temp, there is also a hide in the middle, should the snake want to be warmer than the cool side, but not as warm as the warm side. I actually made the hides myself, out of butter dishes, cut so that they are low, covered in GS and peat moss, with a hole in the side almost on top, so that it somewhat resembles a termite mound, something they use as a burrow in the wild. The light needs to be OUTSIDE of the enclosure so that there is no risk of burns. My water dish sits part way over the heat mat to help with humidity. Make sure that the hides you use are round, rather than the common half logs hides, they need to feel more secure, and a hole on either end will not accomplish this. Aspen is the best choice for substrate, it helps with humidity, and is non-toxic (pine is toxic, softwoods release a chemical that is carcinogenic, so if it says softwood on the bag, don't buy it). Make sure you have a thermometer with a probe that sits on TOP of the slate, to measure the temp that your snake is exposed to. I have read that it is best to put the thermostat probe UNDER the tank, directly on the heat mat, and then have the temp set to whatever gets the right temp on top of the slate. This is to protect the snake should the thermostat or heat mat malfunction. My BP, as far as I can tell, is a yearling, and is about 30" long (I measured the shed, I can't get him/her to sit still long enough to measure properly, lol). My temps fluctuate more than I like, because the house is not temperature controlled in the summer (we only have heat in the house, not AC or even ventilation, stupid Navy), but my ambient stays where it needs to due to the light I have above the cool side. This also keeps the proper temp in the hide on that end. The temps in the warm hide fluctuate a couple of degrees, I just have to check on it regularly to adjust the rheostat. I can post a pic if you like, I may have to upload one, I'm not sure if I have put one on photobucket yet...

froggsong · #5 (**permalink**) 08-12-2008, 06:12 PM

Ok, here are a couple of pics:

It looks MUCH better in person... I just can't seem to get a good pic of the darn thing!!!

keithmatthews · #6 (**permalink**) 08-13-2008, 12:33 PM

thanks very much for info like the viv set up I have slowly been collecting bits here and there, got some great bits of wood and slate to, am making own viv unit as this 8ft x 4ft x 18in viv will incorparate four species of spider and chameleons with there own individual compartments as it is they are all in seperate glass tanks and looks a bit scruffy . again many thanks for your info and pics Keith

froggsong · #7 (**permalink**) 08-13-2008, 01:46 PM

Your welcome. If you have any more questions, just ask!