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nickyff
Yearling
507 Posts |
 Posted - 08/09/2011 : 15:11:30
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hi- before we got our first baby corn I researched on here and other sites to make sure I had all the necessary equipment and enough basic knowledge- The last thing I want to do is harm a creature through ignorance.. But then when it came to actually putting the viv together I've got conflicting info- just about every pic I've seen and most posts that mention it, people have their heatmats on the floor, but in the instructions that came with the heatmat it says to site it on the wall of the viv, with the thermostat sensor hanging aprox 8 inches away.... I've done this as described in the packaging, but now I'm becoming a neurotic newbie and panicking that he's not getting warm enough; I've noticed him climbing behind the mat once or twice, (but then he does try to climb vertically up absolutely everything including the sheer glass doors of the viv)
it doesn't help that at the moment I've only one thermometer in the middle so presumably giving me an average temp of the whole area-
any advice please re the heatmat..? should I move it to the floor? Its slightly more than half the floor space of the tank- this would be too much wouldn't it?
please help???
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and you thought there was no such thing as a stupid question....
1.2.0 corns: captain haddock, sharon the tiddler and Darling Debbie. plus 0.2.0 cali kings: spot and Numpty... not forgetting the delightful Miss Lovely-Gonzalez-La-Poop apricot pueblan milk snake, and we all miss the Lodger who thought he was a cobra....
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Simmy_82
Sub Adult
United Kingdom
1272 Posts |
Posted - 08/09/2011 : 15:15:19
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I think its best to put it on the floor.
Place your thermostat and thermometer probes on top of the heat mat to best control the heat. That way you can ignore what the thermostat says and concentrate on the actual temp the heat mat is giving out on the thermometer. Dont worry too much about the cool end of the viv's heat. i just use a normal stick thermometer for that end.
Generally the heat mat should be one to thirs to a half the viv but sounds like it should be ok.
EDIT: You can weigh the probes down by placing them in the hide or using the hide as a weight. or use other items to hold it in place etc |
 
0.1.0 - Cat - Tallulah
0.0.1 - Carolina Corn Snake - Lilith |
Edited by - Simmy_82 on 08/09/2011 15:17:53 |
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garrie
Sub Adult
United Kingdom
1148 Posts |
Posted - 08/09/2011 : 15:21:38
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Firstly, welcome to the forum 
It sounds like the heat mat may have been for another type of reptile?!? I would definately recommend putting it on the floor; underneath a thin layer of substrate, with the sensor on the mat directly.
Filling slightly over half of the viv may well be a problem - it could mean the cool end might not be able to get cool enough for your corn to regulate his heat properly.
As you only have a hatchling, presumably he is in a fairly small viv at the moment? In which case, this heat mat will do for when he gets an upgrade. Hope that helps a bit |
^click for more pics^
Garrie - Halesworth, Suffolk. 1.0 AURYN (fire morph corn) 0.1 Puzzle (Cat) |
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nickyff
Yearling
507 Posts |
Posted - 08/09/2011 : 15:37:33
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hi- thanks for the speedy replies- the heatmat packaging said it was suitable for snakes and other reptiles- I'm wondering whether saying its best to put it on the wall is a sort of legal self protection on their part?? the alternative was to put it underneath the outside of the viv, with all kinds of fire-proofing underneath- but I've read other posts in here about why that is-
Regarding the slightly over-large size, what about if I bend it, and have part on the floor, part up the wall? any thoughts??
nicky |
and you thought there was no such thing as a stupid question....
1.2.0 corns: captain haddock, sharon the tiddler and Darling Debbie. plus 0.2.0 cali kings: spot and Numpty... not forgetting the delightful Miss Lovely-Gonzalez-La-Poop apricot pueblan milk snake, and we all miss the Lodger who thought he was a cobra....
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johno
Egg
United Kingdom
75 Posts |
Posted - 08/09/2011 : 16:59:34
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| ignore the packaging and listen to the experts ;) definately on the floor with the stat on top for a viv, with a faun you could put it underneath and the stat inside on the floor.. |
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eekamouse
Egg
71 Posts |
Posted - 08/09/2011 : 17:41:57
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| don't bend it nicky, high risk of breaking the element and could be dangerous |
0.1.0 yorkshire terrier 'poppy'
0.0.1 cornsnake 'curly' |
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confused about heatmats
