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smart bunny
Fully Grown Corn
United Kingdom
5091 Posts |
 Posted - 15/05/2013 : 09:37:50
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Up until now I have stuck with heat mats both because they are simpler and I think the vivs look nicer without a huge bulb guard hanging about lol, but our next acquisition will require a ceramic when older so I thought I may as well just bite the bullet and start understanding them now!
So... what would I need for a 2ft viv, either an old VX or the new viva/monkfield so approx 2 x 1.5 x 1.5?
And how do you work out the correct bulb wattage?
Also, I just want to double-triple check - it is the pulse stats which can be used for both ceramics and mats isn't it - and would the pulse be recommended for ceramics or would a dimming actually be better? |
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Auld Baldy
Ikea's Pimp
United Kingdom
1619 Posts |
Posted - 15/05/2013 : 12:02:24
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Habistat Proportional Pulse stat will do both ceramic or mats, dimming stat for lamps.
http://www.surreypetsupplies.co.uk/habistat-pulse-proportional-thermostat-600w.html
There is another Pulse but it is High Range and a bit more expensive.
For a 2 ft viv a 60 watt ceramic would probably do you fine. I have a 100 watt in an oversized 3x2x1.5 viv and it is toasty. 
http://www.surreypetsupplies.co.uk/exo-terra-ceramic-heat-emitter-60w.html
Setting up the stat probe is a little different from a mat. Use a double probe digi-thermometer.
Zip tie one to the stat probe and the other gets mounted temporarily in the basking area.
Fit the combo probes around halfway between heater and basking area.
The other gets placed in the basking area.
Plug everything in and monitor the basking probe and adjust the stat up until it settles at the required temperature.
Note the temperature on the tied sensor probe thermometer and use this as your normal monitoring temperature. (You can remove or tie back the basking area probe as it will probably end up scattered to the wrong position anyway.)
Sounds more complicated than it actually is but once you set it up and see it working, you will understand. All you are doing is monitoring and controlling the MID POINT temperature of the gradient. Any variation here will be repeated at the basking area. So it is safe and reliable.
Just shout if you want some pics of the way I have fixed the probes and cables. I'll be doing a bit of re-arranging soon so it is no problem.  |
1.0.0: Miami Normal: Taggart
0.0.1: Carolina Normal: Wee Woody
0.0.1: Grey Rat Snake: Mirkey
0.0.1: Amel Corn: Blaze
1.0.0: Carpet Python: Vambo
0.0.1: MBK: Fester
0.0.1: Florida King Snake : Rattler (Rattle & Hum)
0.0.1. California King Snake: El Diablo Diego
0.2.0 Tarantulas : Ermintrude & Euphemia. |
Edited by - Auld Baldy on 15/05/2013 12:03:31 |
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Blackcat
Sub Adult
United Kingdom
1235 Posts |
Posted - 15/05/2013 : 12:28:38
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| Ooooh, what are you getting now Smart bunny? |
0.0.2 Corn snakes - Morse & Zeus
1.1.0 Brazillian Rainbow Boa's - Indigo & Ruby
0.0.2 Columbian Rainbow Boa's - Orinoco & Tobago
1.0.0 House snake - Hoggle
0.1.0 Crested Gecko - Ludo
2.0.0 cats (RIP Zebee), 0.1.0 Dog, 2.0.0 Horses |
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smart bunny
Fully Grown Corn
United Kingdom
5091 Posts |
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smart bunny
Fully Grown Corn
United Kingdom
5091 Posts |
Posted - 15/05/2013 : 12:31:03
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He he he, Auld will know... actually we purchased the girly this morning, so now desparately setting up the viv so we can collect her next week when I will post piccys :P
She's hubby's birthday present... have a guess ;) |
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Blackcat
Sub Adult
United Kingdom
1235 Posts |
Posted - 15/05/2013 : 12:41:42
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It is going to be a carpet python - suddenly remembered a previous post from you
Make sure your bulb holder and cable from it are suitable for ceramics - need to be able to withstand heat I think, normal bulb holders will melt if I'm not mistaken |
0.0.2 Corn snakes - Morse & Zeus
1.1.0 Brazillian Rainbow Boa's - Indigo & Ruby
0.0.2 Columbian Rainbow Boa's - Orinoco & Tobago
1.0.0 House snake - Hoggle
0.1.0 Crested Gecko - Ludo
2.0.0 cats (RIP Zebee), 0.1.0 Dog, 2.0.0 Horses |
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smart bunny
Fully Grown Corn
United Kingdom
5091 Posts |
Posted - 15/05/2013 : 12:44:32
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He he he, that's right :D
It's OK, that one I linked to is a ceramic holder, but thanks for the warning :) |
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Blackcat
Sub Adult
United Kingdom
1235 Posts |
Posted - 15/05/2013 : 12:50:25
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I realised that after I had posted
Looking forward to photos once you have him/her home - but I wont be following you down the route of python ownership |
0.0.2 Corn snakes - Morse & Zeus
1.1.0 Brazillian Rainbow Boa's - Indigo & Ruby
0.0.2 Columbian Rainbow Boa's - Orinoco & Tobago
1.0.0 House snake - Hoggle
0.1.0 Crested Gecko - Ludo
2.0.0 cats (RIP Zebee), 0.1.0 Dog, 2.0.0 Horses |
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smart bunny
Fully Grown Corn
United Kingdom
5091 Posts |
Posted - 15/05/2013 : 13:05:40
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Awwwwww :( but you could get an IJ - they don't get so big... lol!
We are not sure what we've got to be honest, hubby just fell in love with her straight away a couple of weeks back, but the owner had originally wanted to sell her as one of a pair and we did NOT want 2. We just kept popping in and eventually they caved in and found a buyer for the other one so we could have her on her own lol! Pretty sure she's got at least some coastal in her, so will have to wait to see how big she gets. Obviously we know she could get anywhere between 5 and 12 feet!!!
Also managed to get a brand new VX24 as well which is really cool as it goes perfectly with our current old-style vivexotic vivs, and it will be Hoggy's home when she outgrows it.
So basically, hubby is a very happy bunny today and I'm off to start building/sealing another viv :D |
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Auld Baldy
Ikea's Pimp
United Kingdom
1619 Posts |
Posted - 15/05/2013 : 13:14:02
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Heck of a price for the lamp holder. If you were any good at a little bracket DIY you can get the porcelain holder for a couple of quid on e-bay. The only thing I don't like about that bracket is that it has to be mounted on the side or back panel. I prefer it mounted away from the sides on the top panel.
I use these dual probe thermometers:
http://www.reptiles.swelluk.com/reptile-supplies/reptile-heating-equipment-414/thermometers-501/lucky-reptile-thermometer-deluxe-12900.html
You don't have to use the dual probes, set up is possible with using a single. But it is always handy to keep an eye on the cool side temp anyway.
Proportional Pulse Stat is designed for the ceramics (and mats).
Dimming Stat is designed for heat lamp bulbs and requires a minimum load to work efficiently. It is also more expensive.
So, when are we setting up the Carpet Forum?  |
1.0.0: Miami Normal: Taggart
0.0.1: Carolina Normal: Wee Woody
0.0.1: Grey Rat Snake: Mirkey
0.0.1: Amel Corn: Blaze
1.0.0: Carpet Python: Vambo
0.0.1: MBK: Fester
0.0.1: Florida King Snake : Rattler (Rattle & Hum)
0.0.1. California King Snake: El Diablo Diego
0.2.0 Tarantulas : Ermintrude & Euphemia. |
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Blackcat
Sub Adult
United Kingdom
1235 Posts |
Posted - 15/05/2013 : 13:18:03
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I do think they are stunning snakes but I just don't have room or time.
Congratulations on getting a new vx24 (I still have my vx24 empty for now)
Still looking at House snakes and have the chance of rehoming a Milk snake, so it may not be empty much longer |
0.0.2 Corn snakes - Morse & Zeus
1.1.0 Brazillian Rainbow Boa's - Indigo & Ruby
0.0.2 Columbian Rainbow Boa's - Orinoco & Tobago
1.0.0 House snake - Hoggle
0.1.0 Crested Gecko - Ludo
2.0.0 cats (RIP Zebee), 0.1.0 Dog, 2.0.0 Horses |
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Auld Baldy
Ikea's Pimp
United Kingdom
1619 Posts |
Posted - 15/05/2013 : 13:21:47
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The natural progression is to get a T. They don't take up much space which means you can get lots.  |
1.0.0: Miami Normal: Taggart
0.0.1: Carolina Normal: Wee Woody
0.0.1: Grey Rat Snake: Mirkey
0.0.1: Amel Corn: Blaze
1.0.0: Carpet Python: Vambo
0.0.1: MBK: Fester
0.0.1: Florida King Snake : Rattler (Rattle & Hum)
0.0.1. California King Snake: El Diablo Diego
0.2.0 Tarantulas : Ermintrude & Euphemia. |
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smart bunny
Fully Grown Corn
United Kingdom
5091 Posts |
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smart bunny
Fully Grown Corn
United Kingdom
5091 Posts |
Posted - 15/05/2013 : 13:28:31
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| No WAY is a tarantula appearing in this house!!! |
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Blackcat
Sub Adult
United Kingdom
1235 Posts |
Posted - 15/05/2013 : 13:31:49
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| Nor in my house - have enough with the house spiders I allow to freely wander about |
0.0.2 Corn snakes - Morse & Zeus
1.1.0 Brazillian Rainbow Boa's - Indigo & Ruby
0.0.2 Columbian Rainbow Boa's - Orinoco & Tobago
1.0.0 House snake - Hoggle
0.1.0 Crested Gecko - Ludo
2.0.0 cats (RIP Zebee), 0.1.0 Dog, 2.0.0 Horses |
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Auld Baldy
Ikea's Pimp
United Kingdom
1619 Posts |
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Donnie
Fully Grown Corn
United Kingdom
3215 Posts |
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Donnie
Fully Grown Corn
United Kingdom
3215 Posts |
Posted - 15/05/2013 : 18:45:37
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| Oh and I vote for a carpet python forum as well |
1.1 Corns (Anery Stripe, Amel) 1.0 Rootbeer 0.2 Jungle Carpet Python 1.0 Zebra Jungle Carpet Python 1.0 50% Diamond Zebra Carpet Python |
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Donnie
Fully Grown Corn
United Kingdom
3215 Posts |
Posted - 15/05/2013 : 20:58:23
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This is the arcadia bulb holder and pro-rep guard I installed
I had to make a small notch to make the guard fit around the bracket but it was really easy to do
I bought the komodo brand ceramic as they seemed to be a little bit shorter just to keep the bulb away from the guard at the bottom but even with such a small gap I can hold my hand on the bottom and it does not burn
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1.1 Corns (Anery Stripe, Amel) 1.0 Rootbeer 0.2 Jungle Carpet Python 1.0 Zebra Jungle Carpet Python 1.0 50% Diamond Zebra Carpet Python |
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smart bunny
Fully Grown Corn
United Kingdom
5091 Posts |
Posted - 15/05/2013 : 21:25:14
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Those photos are fab Donnie, thank you so much. I really appreciate the help from both you and Auld Baldy. I did actually get that bracket in the end as I decided although I am perfectly capable of wiring things up (my grandfather was an electrician and from an early age had me wiring plugs/adding in switches to cables etc unlike a lot of the girls I met at uni who just did not have a clue  ), I really didn't want to faff about too much with fiddly wires lol! Hmm, may not be able to use the exo terra bulb I bought though if it's too long lol!
(Yes, it may be hubby's snake, but I'm still the one sorting the viv out  ) |
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Donnie
Fully Grown Corn
United Kingdom
3215 Posts |
Posted - 15/05/2013 : 22:23:00
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| That bulb may fit fine, my original bulb I bought (can't remember the brand) was a bit longer (in 1st pic) but I could still hold my hand there but it blew after a few days so I got the Komodo one (only one in my local shop) and it was a bit shorter so I have bought those from then on. If you don't think yours fits to well and they won't take it back then I am sure it will be fine for a backup bulb (always good to have one) |
1.1 Corns (Anery Stripe, Amel) 1.0 Rootbeer 0.2 Jungle Carpet Python 1.0 Zebra Jungle Carpet Python 1.0 50% Diamond Zebra Carpet Python |
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Help with ceramics please!
