Do I need a Terranium Liner?

[Tarzier]

When using a UTH with a Glass Tank? I'd assume so, because otherwise the snake might burn itself on the glass, but if I'm also using a thermostat, do I need the liner? I'm only asking because I can't really ever feel the heat through it(Though I'm going to double-check this as soon as the UTH warms up).

[chris-uk]

The thermostat will prevent the UTH getting hot enough to burn. I've never heard of liners, and I use heatmats under all my glass vivs. Surely if a liner prevented burning it would also prevent enough heat getting through.

[Tarzier]

Heat mat?

[chris-uk]

Heat mat?

Probably what you call UTH. Google is your friend ;)
Personally, I use these: HabiStat Heat Mat. 150mmx280mm. 7 Watts. (http://www.eurorep.co.uk/heating/heat-mats/habistat-heat-mat-150mmx280mm-6-x11-7-watts-)

[Stefan-A]

I use these:
Terra Heatmat - Heatel.nl - Electrical heating (http://www.heatel.nl/en/products/terrarium-heating/terra-heatmat.html)

Safe to use with plastic enclosures and without thermostat. Never gets hot enough to burn anything, but on the other hand, it's useless with more than 1cm of substrate.

[Tarzier]

Those are pretty cool, I use something similar, though I'm not exactly sure which brand(s) they are. They do get pretty hot though, so for my current snake, I use a thermostat with it. However, I have decided to use the Liner for my Glass Tank and forego using a thermostat... At least at the moment, I'm currently testing how warm the liner gets in that area, although so far it's become a nice basking spot just like the one I'm currently using. Granted, I'm not exactly sure if my thermometer is correct or not, because it says the spot is at 101 degrees F, but it doesn't feel that warm.

By the way, I have a question and it's completely unrelated to my original one; How do I cool an enclosure? It's been really warm here the last few days, which for my current snake is perfect, however, I don't think it will be for a snake I plan on purchasing. Are Florida Blues ok with 80+ degree temps?

[guidofatherof5]

I would recommend you continue using a thermostat. Not using one lets the heat element run at full output. This reduces its life and could cause it to over heat.
This is dangerous for the snakes, liner or not.
This is the thermostat I use. I buy them off Amazon.

Amazon.com: Hydrofarm MTPRTC Digital Thermostat For Heat Mats: Patio, Lawn & Garden (http://www.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-MTPRTC-Digital-Thermostat-Heat/dp/B000NZZG3S/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1367450605&sr=8-1&keywords=hydrofarm+thermostat)

[Tarzier]

That looks nice, much nicer than the one I currently have. I'm curious, does that one shut off the heat mat when it reaches the temp you have it set at and then turn it back on when it goes down to a certain point, or does it just control the power to keep it at that? My current one does the former, on top of that, the temp probe is huge, that one looks much sleeker and easier to move around and use.

[Varanus]

That looks nice, much nicer than the one I currently have. I'm curious, does that one shut off the heat mat when it reaches the temp you have it set at and then turn it back on when it goes down to a certain point, or does it just control the power to keep it at that? My current one does the former, on top of that, the temp probe is huge, that one looks much sleeker and easier to move around and use.
I have some of those thermostats myself, and they basically heat until they are a degree or two above the set temperature, then turn off until the temperature falls to two degrees below the set temperature before turning on again.

[Tarzier]

Ah, I wish mine was as reliable as that. As it doesn't show what temperature it's probe is reading, I'm not completely sure how it works. I do know that the UTH gets cold(Or at least, the enclosure side does, and that's the important part) before it turns back on. I'm gonna buy one of those and test it out.

[guidofatherof5]

That looks nice, much nicer than the one I currently have. I'm curious, does that one shut off the heat mat when it reaches the temp you have it set at and then turn it back on when it goes down to a certain point, or does it just control the power to keep it at that? My current one does the former, on top of that, the temp probe is huge, that one looks much sleeker and easier to move around and use.


It will shut off when the set temp. is reached then turn back on when it dropped 3 degrees below the set temp.

[Varanus]

What guidofatherof5 said, my statement was more a guess based on observation as I don't have the packaging specifics anymore. I definately recommend these thermostats though, as they are much cheaper than reptile-specific ones, work about as well, and the first one I got has been used continuously for almost a year now without any issues.

[Tarzier]

Sounds like it may be a good purchase, looking forward to receiving it.

[Sonya610]

Might not want to peel off the sticky tape and actually adhere it to the glass. Once stuck on the glass the UTH usually can't be removed all that easily without having problems and maybe broken wires afterwards. Don't stick it on just use cardboard or whatever to get it up against the glass and yeah...use a thermostat.

I have heard when snakes feel "too warm" their natural inclination is to burrow deeper to avoid the sun so maintaining safe UTH temps is important.

[Tarzier]

Might not want to peel off the sticky tape and actually adhere it to the glass. Once stuck on the glass the UTH usually can't be removed all that easily without having problems and maybe broken wires afterwards. Don't stick it on just use cardboard or whatever to get it up against the glass and yeah...use a thermostat.

I have heard when snakes feel "too warm" their natural inclination is to burrow deeper to avoid the sun so maintaining safe UTH temps is important.It was my first tank, so the UTH is already stuck to it, but I'll keep that in mind if I get another glass tank. For my plastic tubs I just used heat-resistant tape to keep them there. I also didn't know that snakes would burrow down if they're too warm, I figured they'd move away from the heat.

[Billy_80]

We use small fans that I pirated from old computers and an xbox. I bought power supplies from the goodwill for less than $1. That combined with large water dishes, they can easily regulate their temp. On especially hot days (90+ inside), an ice pack on the top of the enclosure next to the fan makes for a very comfortable environment.

[Sonya610]

We use small fans that I pirated from old computers and an xbox.

That is a great idea and those little computer fans are made to run constantly for years! I have an old tower now that is broken, can I just pull the fan and power supply out and plug it in? I am unsure about the power supply part.

[chris-uk]

That is a great idea and those little computer fans are made to run constantly for years! I have an old tower now that is broken, can I just pull the fan and power supply out and plug it in? I am unsure about the power supply part.

The fans need to go into the right voltage cables from the PSU, but if they are already plugged direct into the PSU then the plugs will only fit the right cables. If the fans are plugged into the motherboard then you will probably need some fanangling to get them to plugged straight into the PSU.

[Tarzier]

Ice pack on top of the enclosure, not a bad idea. Never would have thought of doing that. I have been thinking of using a small fan and just keeping it pointed at the enclosure ,but for now I'm just using my big fan and having it move, with the edge of one of the turns hitting the enclosure a little bit. Helps to keep my room cooler too.

[ConcinusMan]

Ice pack on top of the enclosure, not a bad idea. Never would have thought of doing that. I have been thinking of using a small fan and just keeping it pointed at the enclosure ,but for now I'm just using my big fan and having it move, with the edge of one of the turns hitting the enclosure a little bit. Helps to keep my room cooler too.

Snakes don't sweat though so that's not likely to help much.

[ConcinusMan]

That is a great idea and those little computer fans are made to run constantly for years! I have an old tower now that is broken, can I just pull the fan and power supply out and plug it in? I am unsure about the power supply part.

Using the power supply isn't necessary. It just needs to be wired to a DC current matching the approximate specs on the fan, usually 12 volt and less than 1 amp. It doesn't have to match exactly. Lower voltage just makes in run slower, higher voltage, faster. If you have any old dc converters lying around that you don't need (I always keep them even if the device is broken/lost, etc) use one of those. For example I have a 12 volt, 1amp one that used to power a scanner. It will run two 12 volt / 0.5 amp fans.

[Billy_80]

If you look at any dc power supply, it will have the voltage and amperage output listed. It is rare to find one higher than 12v. The easiest way to connect them together is to simply strip the wires, twist the ends together and wrap the exposed wires with electrical tape individually so you don't short it out. In a DC motor, the polarity doesn't matter because the fan will spin in either direction. If anyone wants more info, or directions, I can make a video.

[Billy_80]

If you look at any dc power supply, it will have the voltage and amperage output listed. It is rare to find one higher than 12v. The easiest way to connect them together is to simply strip the wires, twist the ends together and wrap the exposed wires with electrical tape individually so you don't short it out. In a DC motor, the polarity doesn't matter because the fan will spin in either direction. If anyone wants more info, or directions, I can make a video. when I say power supply I am referring to a standard dc converter. They are the ones that look like a small black box that gets plugged into the wall.

[Billy_80]

Snakes don't sweat though so that's not likely to help much.

Not to cool the snake directly, but to simply lower the ambient temperature within the enclosure.

[Billy_80]

Plus, a slow, constant air turn over is beneficial for their health.

[ConcinusMan]

Not to cool the snake directly, but to simply lower the ambient temperature within the enclosure.

Which it wont do. She's talking about 90 degrees in the house. My point is, a fan is only going to blow 90 degree air into the tank. It doesn't cool the air unless there's significant evaporation. That would cool you down because of the evaporation of moisture from your skin but it won't help a snake. If you just put a container of frozen water or gel in the tank it would be more effective.

[Varanus]

Yeah, it's a common misunderstanding that air from a regular fan is cooler than the air around it, it just feels cooler thanks to our sweat glands.

[Billy_80]

Yeah, it's a common misunderstanding that air from a regular fan is cooler than the air around it, it just feels cooler thanks to our sweat glands.

When dealing with an open environment, you are indeed correct. However, when you consider an enclosed environment, there is a heat build up within the structure. The laws of thermodynamics cannot be modified. A terrarium acts very much like a greenhouse. This effect is magnified exponentially in regards to the volume of the enclosure.