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Gaz Claffey
Snake Mite
United Kingdom
25 Posts |
 Posted - 12/11/2013 : 23:04:40
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Hi, I've managed to set up my Viv (a full 4 weeks before I pick up the baby corn) and I've checked the temps.
As a check I've set the stat with the thermometer and the temp drops to 26.8 before the stat kicks in and then maxes at 31 when it switches off. I've read on here that the ideal temp for corns is around 29 degrees, so my question is should I adjust the temp so it maxes at 29 accepting that the drop is around 4 degrees albeit only briefly, if it's of any consequence , the hot,cool, hot cycle takes around 20 minutes
The cool end maintains a temp of 20.8, also is this okay??
Thanks in advance (again) |
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Donnie
Fully Grown Corn
United Kingdom
3215 Posts |
Posted - 13/11/2013 : 00:23:31
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| personally I would turn it down so it maxes out at 29. Don't worry to much about the cool end temps when using a mat there is nothing you can do apart from turn the central heating up in your house. Corns are hardy and if s/he gets to cool they will move to the warm end. |
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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Kellog
the nice one
United Kingdom
7308 Posts |
Posted - 13/11/2013 : 12:22:14
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Well done for getting it all set up before getting your corn Gaz  . The issues you're having with the temp shows why it's so necessary. I'm guessing from your comment that you're using an on/off stat. I had the same issue and will admit that I wasn't happy with such a large temp fluctuation so changed to a pulse stat, but that is my own personal choice,. I would agree with Donnie about tweaking the stat down so it doesn't hit a temp above 29.5oC. It's then up to you whether you are happy with the temp drop and how long it stays below the suggested minimum of 27oC.
The cool end is fine. I don't even measure mine as I know that my corns can cope with whatever temp the house is.
Xxx
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Gaz Claffey
Snake Mite
United Kingdom
25 Posts |
Posted - 13/11/2013 : 13:29:20
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Thanks for the replies - I'll nudge the temp down and monitor the difference. Kellog, you're right unsurprisingly  , I have the Microclimate Ministat 100 and after searching old posts on the forum can see that this experience is far from unique..
I'll persevere with it and see how it goes, if I'm still not happy I'll more than likely opt for a habistat as they seem to have better reviews! |
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smart bunny
Fully Grown Corn
United Kingdom
5091 Posts |
Posted - 13/11/2013 : 14:14:28
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| Just a word to the wise - if you do decide to switch to a habistat, we still seem to get a good 3-4 degree change with their mat stats as well, which is why I am gradually moving all ours over to pulse stats instead... wouldn't want you to buy a new mat stat only to find it's not much better! |
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Gaz Claffey
Snake Mite
United Kingdom
25 Posts |
Posted - 13/11/2013 : 15:49:37
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Thanks Smart bunny, looking the the pulse stats I should be able to pick a new one up for around £35 delivered, and this is only around £10 more than the basic on/off stat, so I'd probably opt for the pulse anyhow.
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a33272
our battery charger
United Kingdom
3063 Posts |
Posted - 13/11/2013 : 19:12:20
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| main thing with mat stats is to make sure ya probes are directly on the mat to make the stat work as stable as posible |
   
0.1.0 creamsicle corn-Marmalade
1.0.0 jungle carpet python-Bumble
1.0.0 corn Casper
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Gaz Claffey
Snake Mite
United Kingdom
25 Posts |
Posted - 13/11/2013 : 19:25:18
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| Thanks for the advise, I opened a hole up in the back of the hide to press the probes down and ensured they were on the glass, so hopefully managed to ensure a proper read on the temps |
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Kellog
the nice one
United Kingdom
7308 Posts |
Posted - 15/11/2013 : 08:17:34
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I certainly agree with Smartbunny that pulse stats are the way to go. All my vivs sit at approximately 28.5oC and that barely changes. As much as I hate to admit it  a33272 is also right about the positioning of the probes being vital. I'd advise against using the hide to press the probes down if it means that your snake will come into contact with them when it's in the hide, because this will throw your readings.
Some people are quite happy with the temp fluctuations that come with on/off stats but I'm a bit more fussy and didn't like the fact it dropped below the optimum temp for the snake to digest (27oC). I realise it doesn't stay at that low temp for long but it was too long for me. I'm a fussy corn owner .
Xxx
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a33272
our battery charger
United Kingdom
3063 Posts |
Posted - 15/11/2013 : 11:05:55
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quote:
Originally posted by Gaz Claffey
Thanks for the advise, I opened a hole up in the back of the hide to press the probes down and ensured they were on the glass, so hopefully managed to ensure a proper read on the temps
ahha. is the mat under a glass tank and both probes inside??? if im correct best way to get this accurate is to have to stat probe outside directly on the mat. an the thermometer probe inside on the glass. that way there thermostat is reactling to the mat temp and not the glass |
0.1.0 creamsicle corn-Marmalade
1.0.0 jungle carpet python-Bumble
1.0.0 corn Casper
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Gaz Claffey
Snake Mite
United Kingdom
25 Posts |
Posted - 15/11/2013 : 11:59:00
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its a monkfield terrarium where the heat mat sits between 2 pieces on glass at the bottom so it isn't really possible - given the space between the glass to put the thermometer there, although I understand your point. I'm gonna have a good fiddle with the positioning of the probes and try and get the best reaction from the stat.
I've still got 4 weeks until I've arranged to pick up the snake so I have time on my side.
Thanks again for the help! |
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Donnie
Fully Grown Corn
United Kingdom
3215 Posts |
Posted - 15/11/2013 : 18:35:54
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| when I used my monkfield I used to use a hot glue gun to stick the probes directly to the glass. They would come off every so often but it only took 5 mins to pull the old glue off and re-stick them back down (obviously take snake out to do this) |
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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Gaz Claffey
Snake Mite
United Kingdom
25 Posts |
Posted - 15/11/2013 : 19:57:40
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| Thanks Donnie, this had crossed my mind but was worried the glue would melt? Although at 29 degrees I guess that's daft..... |
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Gaz Claffey
Snake Mite
United Kingdom
25 Posts |
Posted - 16/11/2013 : 21:30:15
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| Oh and by the way, I've bought another Viv and bits and bobs etc and I'm just finalising the purchase of a ghost motley....good job my wife loves me |
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Kellog
the nice one
United Kingdom
7308 Posts |
Posted - 18/11/2013 : 12:14:52
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quote:
Originally posted by Gaz Claffey
.....was worried the glue would melt? Although at 29 degrees I guess that's daft.....
Not daft Gaz but it should be absolutely fine to use hot glue or I think others use aquarium sealant to stick their probes down.
Has your temp settled down better?
quote:
Originally posted by Gaz Claffey
Oh and by the way, I've bought another Viv and bits and bobs etc and I'm just finalising the purchase of a ghost motley....good job my wife loves me
Another viv....does this mean you are already up to 2 snakes before you've even got the first  ??!!!
Xxx
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Gaz Claffey
Snake Mite
United Kingdom
25 Posts |
Posted - 18/11/2013 : 13:06:45
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It sure does, I'm picking up my sons motley and my ghost motley on the 14th December.
the snakes we're getting are numbers BA07 and BA08 on the link below,
http://www.reptileforums.co.uk/forums/snake-classifieds/999911-reduced-price-hatchling-corn-snakes.html
I haven't had chance to move/glue the temp probes just yet as this is still to be a surprise for my son but once done I'm anticipating/hoping for a moderately more reactive stat!! This will probably be on Thursday as I work from home, allowing me to get everything out in plain sight and more importantly in situ!
Will report back once after then!
Thanks
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Edited by - Gaz Claffey on 18/11/2013 17:07:46 |
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Kellog
the nice one
United Kingdom
7308 Posts |
Posted - 20/11/2013 : 09:11:35
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I wonder whether your son has any idea what's happening. He certainly is a lucky boy, they're lovely snakes although I am biased towards your ghost motley.
Hope you manage to sort out the set-ups tomorrow.
Xxx
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Gaz Claffey
Snake Mite
United Kingdom
25 Posts |
Posted - 21/11/2013 : 17:19:16
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So I've glued down the probes and had a full day tinkering with the stat and I have it so that at the hottest it hits 29.1 and the lowest is 25, so I guess my question is are these temps suitable and the same/similar to other guys that use the on/off stats?
The cool end stayed at 21.2-21.4 so nice and steady in that side
Oh and for Kellogg, other than asking Santa for a snake he has no idea what's going on, I've rather cruelly convinced him that Santa doesn't do pets as he can't make them so Christmas morning is going to be cool. I'm also arranging for a door handle to break on the morning I pick up the snakes. It's a cruel to be kind thing I hope!! |
Edited by - Gaz Claffey on 21/11/2013 17:37:13 |
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Donnie
Fully Grown Corn
United Kingdom
3215 Posts |
Posted - 21/11/2013 : 19:24:49
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| That's normal for an on/off stat and will be fine. |
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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Gaz Claffey
Snake Mite
United Kingdom
25 Posts |
Posted - 21/11/2013 : 19:53:46
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| Thanks Donnie |
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Kellog
the nice one
United Kingdom
7308 Posts |
Posted - 22/11/2013 : 07:52:29
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Oooooh, you are cruel !!! Love the story you're creating around him getting his snake. You're going to have to tell us all about his reaction when he discovers that Santa doesn't only deliver pets but delivers them early . How old is he?
It really is down to your personal feelings about the temp. This was the issue I had with the on/off stat and for me it was too much of a drop and it went too low before turning back on....but then I'm probably over-fussy . As Donnie said, it should be fine.
Xxx
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Topic |
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I've set up my Viv
