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JackHutchy979
Hatchling
199 Posts |
 Posted - 28/08/2010 : 10:17:50
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| I'm getting a baby corn snake soon all goes well and the one thing that puzzels me is about the heat mat. Where do you put it inside the viv or outside on the base and then what do you do with the thermostat?? I'm just a bit confused with this bit... Can anyone give me a list of what is essential and then what will help aswell please |
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FiestaSTLou
Yearling
United Kingdom
556 Posts |
Posted - 28/08/2010 : 10:29:06
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Im not 100% on how heat mats go into vivs, but im sure someone else will tell you :
essentials u need: 2 digital thermometers, one for the hot end, one for the cool end, dont bother with the strips or dials as they are poo.
if your using a heat mat u can get a matstat, habistat and microclimate do them and they are not very expensive but essential to stop the heat mat over heating.
your corn will also need hides, preferably one of the cool side and one on the hot side, they also like to climb so maybe put some leaves and branches in.
also you will need a water bowl and sutable substrate, alot of people use aspen or even newpaper or kitchen towel.
if you have a look theres a excellent caresheet on the site which will give u all the info u need :) |
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elament
Yearling
United Kingdom
942 Posts |
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JackHutchy979
Hatchling
199 Posts |
Posted - 28/08/2010 : 14:58:28
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Thanks for your help if I get a matstat or a habistat how do I connect it with my het mat...is there any other ways to keep the right temperatures on your vivs like if I get a heat lamp is that good enough that I dot need anything else...I'm trying to establish the easiest but also the best way to keep a corn snake temperature right
btw your snakes are awesome what morph are they...there the type I want to get
Cheers |
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BurnedAtTheStake
Yearling
United Kingdom
915 Posts |
Posted - 28/08/2010 : 15:23:08
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Hi, I love these things (heatmats and matstats) - not!
The actual connection is simple - the type I know about - Habistat - is a small box with a red light for power on and a green light for mat power on. Three leads come from the bottom of the box - one to plug into the mains, one for the probe that goes into the viv, and one with an electrical connection just like an extension lead - you plug your mat into this, and plug the stat into the mains.
Also on the face of the matstat box is a tiny metal gizmo like the top of a screw, in the middle of a circle of temperature levels. This is the infuriating bit, because this is where you set the temp you want, but there is NO indication as to how to set the required temp, no handy little arrow or whatever. Also you will need a precision screwdriver or similar to turn the dratted thing.
You will work this out by trial and error and commonsense ... just turn it clockwise as far as it will go, and there you have set the highest temp. So then all you have to do is adust it to the temp you really need ... The instruction sheet won't tell you this.
To my mind these things should come with a free crystal ball!
Now the probe. Most people say the probe should sit directly on the mat so that if the temp goes above the desired level, the mat shuts off. You will have to drill a hole in your viv or thread probe lead through hole provided in tops of some vivs, and position it ...
Last weekend we had quite a good informative debate about all this stuff in a thread called 'Serious Rant.'
No prizes for guessing who the author was!
I hate rep equipment!!! AAArgh!!
(But you have to have it for the safety of your snake ... ) |
Edited by - BurnedAtTheStake on 28/08/2010 15:24:26 |
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JackHutchy979
Hatchling
199 Posts |
Posted - 28/08/2010 : 15:41:06
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Hey, burnedatthestake, Cheers man the information you have given me is a great help to me now I know what to get and what to do with it a heat mat plus habistat... Although is there anyone other way without drilling a hole in you viv like put the mat under the viv at the edge so you can put the probe on it with the need for a hole? What you think will that work? Because I don't really want to have to
drill a hole...
Again thanks for the info...
Btw Syndey is a lovely corn snake what morph is it?? |
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BurnedAtTheStake
Yearling
United Kingdom
915 Posts |
Posted - 28/08/2010 : 16:02:09
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I've always put the mats in the vivs - I use wooden vivs. I've heard that it's dangerous to put mats under vivs as they can overheat. I believe it's fine to put mats under plastic rubs and tanks - but don't quote me - hopefully someone will be along soon with a bit more knowledge.
If you have a drill, drilling a hole in a wooden viv is no big deal - in fact, it's a good idea to drill a hole low down big enough to take leads for both mat and probe - I never thought of this until after I'd drilled separate holes ...
Most vivs provide a hole for leads at the top of the back panel - this is fine if you use a light fitting, but I dislike leads trailing down the back of the viv as they look ugly and snakey will certainly use them as climbing ropes. I would drill the smallest possible hole, train the leads in at the back, low down, and tape them in position outside the viv so that the snake doesn't go near the tape.
Hope this is of help. |
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mikerichards
don't say the 'M' word!
United Kingdom
2901 Posts |
Posted - 28/08/2010 : 16:04:25
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You cannot heat a wooden viv from the outside, drilling a hole is the best way.
Just have to make sure you can get both the probe and the wire for the mat through it!
Out of interest, how big is the viv you have?
How big is the snake you are going to get?
Both are important and will have an impact on how you set it up. |
Location : Worthing, West Sussex
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elament
Yearling
United Kingdom
942 Posts |
Posted - 28/08/2010 : 16:10:29
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quote:
btw your snakes are awesome what morph are they...there the type I want to get
Cheers
If that was aimed at me both my snakes are amels |
1.1.0 Amel Corns Colin and Xena
1.0.0 Dog Talan
1.1.0 Cats Wotsit and Willow
1.0.0 Ferret Chaos
Location: Lowestoft Suffolk |
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JackHutchy979
Hatchling
199 Posts |
Posted - 28/08/2010 : 16:12:21
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B.A.T.S
I didn't relise you were talking about a wooden viv. So put the mat in with about an inch or 2 or substrate over with the hide on it...
So were do you drill the hole say the warm side is on the right do you drill the hole bottom right slide wire through hook it up with the habistat and hey-presto???
Is It that simple... I'm not yet sure what viv I will get a wooden one or a normal glass one probably wooden now..
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JackHutchy979
Hatchling
199 Posts |
Posted - 28/08/2010 : 16:17:44
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| This would be my first corn snake so I'm going to get a baby corn and get a 20 gallon viv - is this to big? - if you say yes I'm going to make a divider for it and only give the corn about half of it but as it grows I'm gonna give it more room i plan on keeping it in the divided section for about a year but if I feel it's to big il give it more room sooner....how does that sound for a corn....? |
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mikerichards
don't say the 'M' word!
United Kingdom
2901 Posts |
Posted - 28/08/2010 : 16:17:47
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You are better off with a wooden viv, its much more insulated than a glass one.
Best way to do it, get your heatmat, put it where you want in the viv, see where the wire goes and drill the hole there. You only want about 1/2 inch of bedding over the heatmat, too much will block the heat, then the snake burrows and may end up with a heatmat that's too hot, depending on the setup. |
Location : Worthing, West Sussex
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JackHutchy979
Hatchling
199 Posts |
Posted - 28/08/2010 : 16:21:43
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Mikerichards - yeh is it meant to be about1/2 inch on the cold side and less n the warm side. Cheers everyone fo their input il be sure to put it to good use - how much would a 20gallon wooden viv be about? A rough estimate is gd..
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BurnedAtTheStake
Yearling
United Kingdom
915 Posts |
Posted - 28/08/2010 : 16:36:34
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vivs vary in prices so much, it's impossible to tell ... last Oct I bought a new vivexotic 3' x 18" x 18" with some equipment provided for £135 - the other day on this forum someoone picked up a similar setup for £30 ...
You could have a look on the classifieds section here. Some people even make their own (but you have to be very careful as to wood - in fact melamine and mdf are safest as pine is toxic to snakes because of the residue of resin. This can be sealed of course with yacht varnish but can take an age for fumes to disperse and these too are toxic.)
It's a good idea to shop around. Many starter kits omit things like stats and locks, but can still be good value even if you have to add equipment. Good luck! |
Edited by - BurnedAtTheStake on 28/08/2010 16:37:23 |
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mikerichards
don't say the 'M' word!
United Kingdom
2901 Posts |
Posted - 28/08/2010 : 16:38:08
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Gallons are a waste of time for measuring a viv, you could get one that quite wide but really shallow and short, or the other way.
Thing if viv's in inches, a 3foot being 36 inches, by 12 by 12, so 36x12x12 or 3x1x1.
The size depends on the baby, certainly for a very young snake you don't want anything much bigger that 12x6x6, inches that is.
For an adult, a 3x1x1 is plenty, certainly for its entire life.
If you want a viv now, you can get one that size, but putting a baby in it wouldn't be wise. You should ideally have a tub with the above size inside the viv if you wished, or have the heatmat outside and the tub on the mat. |
Location : Worthing, West Sussex
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JackHutchy979
Hatchling
199 Posts |
Posted - 28/08/2010 : 16:38:28
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Elament,
Your corn colin is awesome I think amels are one if my favourite if not my favourite...also your other orn Xena or something is really pretty!!!!
Overall very nice corn snakes |
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JackHutchy979
Hatchling
199 Posts |
Posted - 28/08/2010 : 16:47:21
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| Yeh I have seen vivs measured in inches but for some reason I just say 20 gallons - well If I bought a 3x1x1 and used a divider would that work If the divide being the appropiate part so only offering it a third or so of the tank and as it grows give it more o move around in. This way I don't have to buy anything else for it like start with a 24x12x12 and get another down the line of the corns life. When would I give it the full 3x1x1 when it's an adult I know but when it's 3 years old or so. |
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BurnedAtTheStake
Yearling
United Kingdom
915 Posts |
Posted - 28/08/2010 : 16:59:50
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20 gallons ... that's eighty litres ... ooh, this maths on a Saturday afternoon!
(Where I'm concerned, any afternoon!)
But I'm looking at a 60 litre fishtank as I write - yes, reckon 3' x 1' x1' must be about 80 litres. Ummm, well ... I'm one of those people who go in for lots of room and lots and lots of hides ... as long as snakey has loads of cover and dim lighting, basically, it will feel secure.
Other people go in for the 'limited space makes a snake feel secure' theory, and maintain that a small space of viv is like a safe hide for the snake.
I know what seems to be working for me and my snakes but wouldn't dream of telling someone else to do the same ... I think it's a good idea to gather info and viewpoints and then do what you feel is right for you and your snake ... sorry to be so vague, by the way! |
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JackHutchy979
Hatchling
199 Posts |
Posted - 28/08/2010 : 17:07:25
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No bother B.A.T.S. At least your putting a constructive point of view across. It seems like a good idea what size is your snakey ?!? Well what i'm probably goin to do is get a 3x1x1 put a lot of hides in it and see or
a few days how snakey reacts to the space if I feel it's wrking well good job but if it's not right il get a divider and make the cage a
little less threatening for the little guy seems fair? Well il get about three hides a water bowl a branch something to rub against to help him shed like a big stick eg
what do you think? |
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elament
Yearling
United Kingdom
942 Posts |
Posted - 28/08/2010 : 17:21:31
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quote:
Originally posted by JackHutchy979
Elament,
Your corn colin is awesome I think amels are one if my favourite if not my favourite...also your other orn Xena or something is really pretty!!!!
Overall very nice corn snakes
Thanks |
1.1.0 Amel Corns Colin and Xena
1.0.0 Dog Talan
1.1.0 Cats Wotsit and Willow
1.0.0 Ferret Chaos
Location: Lowestoft Suffolk |
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BurnedAtTheStake
Yearling
United Kingdom
915 Posts |
Posted - 28/08/2010 : 17:23:07
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Hi, I have six snakes, 5 corns and a royal, all sizes and all growing.
I would still dig around for more info to give yourself a larger picture, but if you do go down the 'more room lots of hides' route (and I'm not saying I'm right - it's just what works for me) I would really pack the viv out with hides - don't worry if it looks like a junk shop - snakey will love it. Use loo roll/kitchen roll inners, plantpots on their sides, small cardboard boxes (No sticky tape - it melts in the heat.) I use rodent hides for smaller snakes, they are cheap and just the right size for a small snake to feel secure in. when the snake is bigger and more confident you can splash out on the posh rep hides and do away with all the 'junk'.
And yes, they do love a few branches - I fix them to the walls of the viv with 'screw eyes' from B&Q (no sharp edges - basically a small metal ring that screws into the viv wall.) Or if you're feeling wealthy, that exo terra bendable vine stuff is just as good as branches.
Mopani root is good to scrape against when shedding - it's £5 a lump in petsathome - or if you live near a Dunelm Mills, apparently that is much cheaper.
Hope you find this useful.
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Topic |
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Heating for a baby...
