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PandorasBox94
Snake Mite
United Kingdom
11 Posts |
 Posted - 25/07/2011 : 16:03:16
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| Ive had my snake for two and a bit weeks, and yesterday i noticed the tank was cold. The heating mat had cracks in it and was starting to split open in the middle, it was very hot in this part of the mat and the surrounding area on the mat was cold. I've bought a new mat now and im wondering if it was maybe the way i had the old mat in the tank that caused this? The tank is just a smallish plastic one, the pet shop owner suggested i put tiles on the bottom of one side of the tank to stop the mat from melting the tank and stick the heating mat onto the tiles and cover with substrate. With my new mat ive just stuck four rubber stoppers that came with it on the bottom so its not touching the tiles and ive covered it with substrate. Is this better or the right thing to do? If theres anything i can do to improve i'd be happy for some advice! |
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gmac
The Scottish Admin
United Kingdom
5319 Posts |
Posted - 25/07/2011 : 16:08:19
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| are you using a thermostat? as mats do not get hot enough to melt anything if they are statted. |
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PandorasBox94
Snake Mite
United Kingdom
11 Posts |
Posted - 25/07/2011 : 16:20:27
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| No ive not purchased one yet, ive just been putting my hand in and feeling how hot the substrate is. I know thermostats are a must though, ill probably buy one online :) |
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gmac
The Scottish Admin
United Kingdom
5319 Posts |
Posted - 25/07/2011 : 16:22:52
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| thats why the mat bust, not because of anything else it got too hot being unregulated. |
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a33272
our battery charger
United Kingdom
3063 Posts |
Posted - 25/07/2011 : 16:34:30
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| u need to turn mat off until u can get a stat, and ideally dont feed until that time |
    
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johno
Egg
United Kingdom
75 Posts |
Posted - 25/07/2011 : 16:55:13
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| if you know there a must you should have one bro, please for the snakes sake listen to a33272 he knows what hes talking about, hope your snakes ok too :/ |
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lotabob
Fully Grown Corn
United Kingdom
4334 Posts |
Posted - 25/07/2011 : 19:22:08
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Switch your new mat off until you have a thermostat and thank your lucky stars that its only the mat thats burnt and cracked and not your snakes belly, Your snake has had a VERY lucky escape (I hope; you'll need to keep an eye on the snakes belly over the next few sheds for signs of burn damage), dont put it in that situation again. Also your hand is a totally inadequate thermometer, a digital thermometer costs next to nothing, you cant look after a snake properly using only guess work.
While the mat is switched off the snake will be totally fine, just dont feed it until you have a stat as they need a SAFE temperature to digest their meal. See the caresheet for more info on temperatures. |
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Edited by - lotabob on 25/07/2011 19:24:17 |
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thistle
Sub Adult
United Kingdom
1757 Posts |
Posted - 26/07/2011 : 01:14:09
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Have to agree with everyone else regarding the necessity of a thermostat and a digital thermometer.
You need to measure the temperature directly on top of the mat not on the surface of the substrate. There will be a big difference in temperature directly over the mat than on top of the substrate.
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ravensgirl
Hatchling
123 Posts |
Posted - 26/07/2011 : 11:33:14
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Have to agree with everything being said here, you can pick up thermometers for a couple of pounds and stats aren't too expensive if you hunt around (you'll even find some second hand for much cheaper of equiptment classifieds of reptile forums)
Heat mats which overheat or are too hot for the snake can burn them, cause digestion problems and give you a generally unhappy snake |
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Sta~ple
qeeun speler
United Kingdom
6129 Posts |
Posted - 26/07/2011 : 12:31:21
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| Wow that petshop sounds awful.. heatmats can burn through plastic but tiles are not going to help one bit! I don't have anything between my mat and plastic tubs and it's stated, the plastic tubs are directly ontop of the mats. Because they are directly touching, I have my thermometer reading the mat. |
  
A very special super, duper thanks for K :3 |
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kdlang
Fully Grown Corn
United Kingdom
3556 Posts |
Posted - 29/07/2011 : 19:13:09
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I'm not sure if I am reading this right or not but it sounds like you are using the heatmat inside the plastic tank. Heatmats should be underneath plastic tanks on the outside and controlled with a thermostat. Your temperatures should be regulated using a digital probe thermometer. The mat will rarely feel warm unless you have cold hands as your body temperature is higher than the temperature your snake requires. If it feels warm or hot then it is too hot for the snake and could cause nasty burns. The pet shop you are using is completely useless and if I were you I wouldn't go there again. Their appauling advise could have caused the death of your snake. I am really glad you came on here for advise as now we can help you provide the correct environment. If you haven't already, please please turn off your heatmat until you have got both a thermostat and a thermometer. The snake will be much better off for it.
Read this thread for excellent advise on setting up a plastic tank. http://www.thecornsnake.co.uk/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=9878 |
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Heating
