how to get the right temp in my tank

[Black stripe cornsnake]

i have a black stripe corn and im having real trouble heating him right im using a heat mat on bottom on the outside at first it didnt seem to be heating enough it was only 21 c so ive backed it with polerstyrine (sorry i cant spell) but that has pushed the temp up to 36/38 c and im worried about my new animal as i cant seem to get it right can someone please give me some advice ive looked all over the net but seem to get to many contradicting bits of info

I look forward to ur help and advice

[faroutinmt]

It would help to get, if you haven't already, either a dimmer or thermostat (thermostat is better) to control the heat output on your heating device. Most retail outlets which sell reptile supplies carry thermostats for this purpose.

[Boaviking]

I never liked heat mats to be honest. I use lamps. That way instead of going through all the hassle of having to use dimmers or thermostats, you can just change to a different watt bulb to accomidate.

[faroutinmt]

Originally Posted by Boaviking

I never liked heat mats to be honest. I use lamps. That way instead of going through all the hassle of having to use dimmers or thermostats, you can just change to a different watt bulb to accomidate.

I still think it is safer to use a thermostat. If the room temperature changes (power goes out in summer or winter), the bulb output will remain the same and could either heat the cage too much or not enough.

[project_evolution]

depends on my cages what i use. my BP's are in a rack that has a heat cord embeded in a routed out groove on the back side and sterilite tubs for cages. my boas are in visions with both a lightbulb and a heat mat. all my GTP has is a light, since he never really gets on the ground. my monitors have heat mats under their substrate drawer and an outdoor hps lamp for basking. i use the esu reptile controlers for my temps.

	Green Tree Python Green Tree Python (Morelia viridis)

	Ball Python The Ball Python (Python regius), also known as the Royal Python, is a ground dwelling snake native to the savannahs and rain forests in western Africa, predominatly the countries of Ghana, Togo, and Benin.

[Kingy]

ive been a little worried about temps over the winter period, we get really cold round these parts and its already dropping below zero outside at night, so as a bit extra help for the viv, i took some old curtins that were lying around, folded them in half, and slid some ordinary tinfoil into them. i then wraped these round the outisde of the viv and once it was up to temp again its held it great with the heat mats inside. on a night i drop a cover over the glass front as its mainly a wooden build, and that stops any heat from escaping through the glass at night.

just remember though not to cover the vents

also, is it a wooden viv you have? if it is, the mat needs to be inside, cover it with a layer or two of newspaper then your substrate and alls good

	Cloaca is the posterior opening that serves as the only such opening for the intestinal, urinary, and (usually) genital tracts of certain animal species.All birds, reptiles, and amphibians possess this orifice, from which they excrete both urine and feces