| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| DonnaMarch |
Posted - 23/07/2010 : 15:34:10
I have a 3 year old corn snake and a 3ft - 4ft vivarium. I currently use a lamp for him for heat and light and leave it on for 12 hours a day. I have taken him to the vet as he has been breathing really hard out of his nose. The vet informed me that it is not a resp infection but it could do with the humidity in his tank. Currently under the spotlight his temp is 30 degrees but can go up. The vet suggested a constant heat with heat mat on one side which must be maintained at 31 degrees and the other at 21 degrees. He said i won't need a spotlight anymore if i do that. But how do i manage to keep the other side at 21 degrees without a light? and don't they need light? I spoke to a qualified pet shop who deals with reptiles and they said to pop in over the weekend as they don't think you should keep one side as low as 21 degrees. I would appreciate anyones advice! Thanks |
| 6 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| DonnaMarch |
Posted - 26/07/2010 : 11:06:43
I'm going to use the heat mat but can i use duck tape to cover it so he doesn't burn himself? Its a microclimate heat mat. Where is the best place to put the probe? Do i cover it and the digi thermometer wire with the heat mat covering i will use so i can get an accurate reading? |
| DonnaMarch |
Posted - 26/07/2010 : 10:55:18
quote:
Originally posted by mikerichards
Did you go to a specialist vet? I ask because it does sound a little like an RI, and higher temps are one treatment for it.
Bulbs are ok, but a waste really, mats are more effective and cheaper to run.
Are you using a spot type bulb or an everyday household one? Is it 40w or 60w?
Tbh, an unstatted 60 or a even a 40 is a bit much for a corn, they are usually only used for tropical snakes, and big bodied snakes.
A heatmat will give you a far better way of keeping a good heat source for corns.
Yeah this vet specialises in snakes. He already gave him some anitbiotics and they worked just slightly. I was using a 40w spot bulb. Do corns need any other source of light if i get rid of the bulb? Do i need anything to control the heat on the cool side of the tank? |
| DonnaMarch |
Posted - 26/07/2010 : 10:51:47
quote:
Originally posted by kdlang
The hot end really needs to be between 27 and 29 degrees. No hotter than 30degrees. The cool end is fine to be at room temperature. mine varies between 19 and 23 degrees although during the really hot spell we had it went up to 25. I have considered getting an extra mat in the cool end for the winter as then it can drop down to 13degrees. You don't need a spot light if you have a heat mat and it is statted to the right temperature. If you still want a light you can then use a low energy low wattage bulb that doesn't give off any heat but lights aren't really needed they are more for our benefit. How are you monitoring your temperatures? Are you using dial strip or digital thermometers? Also what substrate are you using as some can produce higher humidity.
Hope this helps
Edited to add that I forgot to say hello and welcome to the site. 
I was using Aspen but was advised to remove this and to remove his big bowl of water as the evaporation from this due to the heat can cause humidity. It is digital thermometers I am using to measure the heat. Will i need anything to control the heat on the cool side or just leave it? |
| mikerichards |
Posted - 23/07/2010 : 18:51:30
Did you go to a specialist vet? I ask because it does sound a little like an RI, and higher temps are one treatment for it.
Bulbs are ok, but a waste really, mats are more effective and cheaper to run.
Are you using a spot type bulb or an everyday household one? Is it 40w or 60w?
Tbh, an unstatted 60 or a even a 40 is a bit much for a corn, they are usually only used for tropical snakes, and big bodied snakes.
A heatmat will give you a far better way of keeping a good heat source for corns. |
| kdlang |
Posted - 23/07/2010 : 16:28:38
The hot end really needs to be between 27 and 29 degrees. No hotter than 30degrees. The cool end is fine to be at room temperature. mine varies between 19 and 23 degrees although during the really hot spell we had it went up to 25. I have considered getting an extra mat in the cool end for the winter as then it can drop down to 13degrees. You don't need a spot light if you have a heat mat and it is statted to the right temperature. If you still want a light you can then use a low energy low wattage bulb that doesn't give off any heat but lights aren't really needed they are more for our benefit. How are you monitoring your temperatures? Are you using dial strip or digital thermometers? Also what substrate are you using as some can produce higher humidity.
Hope this helps
Edited to add that I forgot to say hello and welcome to the site. |
| n/a |
Posted - 23/07/2010 : 15:51:40
in most set ups are a thermostatted heat mat with a digital thermometer to regulate the hot end(corns adsorb hat through their bellies so most of the bulb heat is lost and the corns getting heat from the hot spot below it) the cool end is just above room temp. vents can cool it if the temp is often to high by allowing the air to circulate. there are a few thread with other peoples set ups in if you want to take a look. if you do keep the bulb, please stat it and make sure it has a guard on it. some very nasty and painful burns have been caused by bulbs. |
