Basking Lamp Conected to a Digital Thermostat: Good/Bad Idea

[paolo_28]

Unfortunately, my snake is suffering from RI, however "TITAN" is getting better. Do I really need a digital thermostat or is a under the tank heating pad good enough. I don't have one yet, but thinking about buying one.

Please let me know what you think.

Thanks, Paolo
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	Respiratory Infection Respiratory Infection

[LdyDrgn]

Use the basking lamp to create and regulate daytime temps and schedule. Use the under tank heater (regular human heat pad from Target or WalMart) set on low or medium (depending on substrate) to create the belly heat needed for proper digistion. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img]
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[Stormyva]

A digital thermostat and an under tank heater are two totally different things.
A digital thermometer or at a bare minimum and analog one should be used to monitor the temperatures in the tank. Place the thermometer or thermometer probe approx 1" above the substrate so that you know the temps at the level that your snake is on. (You can get a very inexpensive digital thermometer at Home Depot in the house plant section for about $7.00) The under tank heater or human heat pad that LdyD is referring to is what will actually heat your tank. And again like she said use the bulb to bump up the temps for the daytime and provide a schedule. A personal recommendation.... do not put the bulb / heat pad combination together until you have a day you are home so that you can monitor the temp increases that the bulb will give you.
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[paolo_28]

Thanks guys.

Paolo.

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[NYCSpeedcore]

A under tank heater is adiquite when the room temp. is high enough to hold the proper humidity in the tank. The humidity is dependent upon the ambient air temperature in the tank. Improper humidity levels have a lot to do with RI infections. In the case that the tank's air temp is too cool I would suggest putting the light on a reostat as a minimum. The only time you really need a thermostat is when the room temps fluctuate a lot, which most rooms tend to do. Oh, and in my book a digital thermometer is a must, most analog ones I have seen (ESU, Zoo Med, etc.) work ok for awhile and then can be off 4-5 degrees before you know it, sometimes more once they are introduced to a high humidity enviroment.
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