my first garter

[ConcinusMan]

Looks like a pretty good setup but that top has got to go. Get a proper one. If you did that you could easily get your basking spot up to 86 and still have low 70's on the cool end. The way that top is, I doubt you're getting proper air circulation. The rising warm air from the hot end should cause cool fresh air to be drawn in on the cool end. That can't happen because it's covered.

[RedSidedSPR]

Not to mention, it can't be nearly as secure. These guys are serious escape artists.

[ConcinusMan]

And it uses tape. Big no-no. And if you're using that strip tape thermometer to monitor your temps, get rid of it. It's not accurate. It's not designed for this use. It's designed for an aquarium full of water.

Hey, you asked. Just giving my honest opinion.

[RedSidedSPR]

That too.

Those strips suck. I had an extra from my aquarium and tried it, didn't even come close to the same as my thermometers.

[ConcinusMan]

Yeah, what you need is a proper reptile thermometer with a probe. Place the probe on the surface of the substrate under the basking lamp. Another probe or ambient air temp thermometer on the cool end.

[Hazeldarc]

shouldnt the water dish be the other side of the cage instead of in the middle???

[RedSidedSPR]

That's how i'd do it, yes... dont see how it could actually hurt, other than the heat heating it up...

[ConcinusMan]

As long as the water doesn't get significantly heated, its fine. I kept a water dish about in the middle of my 55 gallon long and it was fine.

[twostripes42]

i have two digital thermometers the strip thing is just there for some resone and the basking spot is 85.7 now and the cool end is 73.2 the lid is escape prof there is no way it can lift it up its a littel hard for me to lift cuz its so tight on the cage and it has alot of ventilation its just kinda hard to she the rest of the screen thanks for all the help and the water bull dosent heat up to much it just gets a little warmer then when i first put it in there

[RedSidedSPR]

Gotcha.

You'd be surprised though, at
1) how easily a snake can escape,
2) how easily a snake can get himself caught in tape, and very likely that will be fatal. I'd get a proper screen lid.