Mats and stats

[chris-uk]

So, I should look into getting a UTH mat for the checkered albino then...I have always been a bit nervous of those....can someone please recommend a safe one...he is a small guy and I have a 10g tank for him to start. Thanks!

I should have said, don't use one without a thermastat. With a stat I think their less likely to burn a snake than a lamp as the heat is lower because it doesn't have to radiate down 12" to reach the snake.

I've got some fairly generic heatmats that are branded up as Komodo, and I've got a Habistat mat (the 590x280 one here Habistat: Thermostats & Heat Mats. The climate control Specialists).

I'm using two different Habistat thermostats - the MatStat and the Dimming thermostat. Plus I have a Lucky Reptile ThermoControl II Pro on a third viv. As a compromise between cost and convenience, I'd go with the dimming thermostat next time round. The Lucky Reptile one is great and has the advantage that it also controls the timing of the moonlight LEDs on my fishtank, and it automatically drops the mat temp at night.

[EasternGirl]

Thanks Chris...any links to mats to buy in the U.S.? I think those are European dealers...

So, should I not use bulbs of any kind then...no night heat bulbs either? Just stick with a under tank mat and skip bulbs all together? Leave the mat on day and night? I know nothing about using mats...what temp to set them on in the day..at night...etc.

[MasSalvaje]

I have found that Zoo Med Heat Cable works well for Garters. I keep my snakes in my basement fruit room with a fluorescent aquarium tube for light and the heat cable for heat. I have the cable on all the time but it is hooked up to a thermostat so if anything goes funny it shuts off. I personally use the cable under the tanks I keep my snakes in but the cables are water proof and claim they are safe to use right in the tank. They don't get things too hot so I haven't had success using them with other species that require higher temps but I have found it to be the perfect solution for my garters. The warm side of my tanks are in the 78-82 range depending on the time of year and the cool ends are in the 68-75 range.

-Thomas

[chris-uk]

Sorry, I can't advise on US suppliers but I thought both companies export to the US.

If you're using mats you don't need a lamp as well. Although because I got one with the viv the Mexicans are in because they like a bit of heat.

Our central heating keeps the house above 19C (66F) at night, so I drop have the mats off at night or turned right down so that they will kick in if the central heating fails. During the day the timers kick in and the temps are up to 28C (82F) on the warm side and cold side is 21-22C (around 70F).

[Char361979]

Stick with mats, no bulb needed. Get a thermostat and it will do the regulating for you(do check regularly that they are doing their job though) no need to turn of the mat at all if you get the same sort of theing we have where you can set a day time and a night time temperature.

[EasternGirl]

Okay...I just ordered a reptisun mat and I am going to order a thermostat in a couple of days when I get more money. I think the one I was looking at allows settings for day and night temp.

[kibakiba]

I'd turn it off at night, just because you wont be able to monitor how it's working and if it gets too hot.

[chris-uk]

Okay...I just ordered a reptisun mat and I am going to order a thermostat in a couple of days when I get more money. I think the one I was looking at allows settings for day and night temp.

Sounds like a good setup when you get the stat as well. Shout if you have any other questions about setting it up.

[EasternGirl]

Yeah...if I can't get the thermostat here before the snake arrives, I will turn it off at night to be safe. I'm going to be keeping him in my bedroom and my bedroom stays very warm even at night. It just sticks on the bottom of the tank right? I ordered one for a 10 gallon size...does it go across the bottom of the entire tank?

[kibakiba]

No, only half. He needs a cool side too.