Heating for coastal setup

[Kaianuanu]

I decided on a baby coastal and Im going start him off in a 10 gallon. I was wanting to go with a heat lamp as opposed to a UTH to promote climbing. I figured i'd get a red bulb and leave it on 24/7, and maybe a fluorescent that puts off little heat for a day/night cycle. Anyway, I was wondering what wattage you guys recommend I try first for the heat lamp, given that my house almost always has an ambient temp of 80 degrees.

[Mikoh4792]

A 10 gallon will not last long anyways, I would suggest getting a wood or plastic enclosure you can mount a radiant heat panel on. You wouldn't have to worry about the lamp drying out your snake in such a small space.

[Mikoh4792]

To answer your question though, I use 25 watts on my 10 gallons in the summer and 40-60 watts in the winter WITH a thermostat.

But all my snakes are going into non screen top plastic enclosures in the following weeks because of the issue I mentioned earlier. Even if your humidity in the enclosure is "x" %, the area right below the heat lamp will be dryer.( where I assume your snake will go to bask)

[MoreliAddict]

You NEED to use a thermostat to control the heat.

[Kaianuanu]

You NEED to use a thermostat to control the heat.

Could you recommend one that is affordable and of decent quality?

[Kaianuanu]

So I picked up a 25w "moonlight" at rip-off petsmart prices ($13 :O ). But anyway it's reading a basking temp of 86 and an ambient of 79. Is this okay? According to the AC Reptiles care sheet, the ambient is good but the basking is a bit low.

[Mikoh4792]

So I picked up a 25w "moonlight" at rip-off petsmart prices ($13 :O ). But anyway it's reading a basking temp of 86 and an ambient of 79. Is this okay? According to the AC Reptiles care sheet, the ambient is good but the basking is a bit low.

What are you using to measure the basking spot?

Where is your basking spot? You can either elevate the basking spot so it's closer to the heat source or get a 40 watt heat lamp.

Have you gotten a thermostat yet?

You've asked for suggestions. I recommend a herpstat, vivarium electronics, helix, ranco, hygrofarm.

The last two are cheaper than the others but they are on/off. They work well but I prefer proportional thermostats(the first three) because they keep steadier temperatures.

[Kaianuanu]

What are you using to measure the basking spot?

Where is your basking spot? You can either elevate the basking spot so it's closer to the heat source or get a 40 watt heat lamp.

Have you gotten a thermostat yet?

You've asked for suggestions. I recommend a herpstat, vivarium electronics, helix, ranco, hygrofarm.

The last two are cheaper than the others but they are on/off. They work well but I prefer proportional thermostats(the first three) because they keep steadier temperatures.

I have a dual probe digital thermometer. And the basking spot I set up was on a branch 8 inches off of the cage floor and 4 inches from the light, this was where the basking probe is. Also, I have it in an 8" dome, do you think if I put it in a 5" dome, might raise the temp in that spot a bit?

[Mikoh4792]

I have a dual probe digital thermometer. And the basking spot I set up was on a branch 8 inches off of the cage floor and 4 inches from the light, this was where the basking probe is. Also, I have it in an 8" dome, do you think if I put it in a 5" dome, might raise the temp in that spot a bit?

Yes I think it would. I thought it was weird that you would only get a 86F basking spot. I use 25 watt bulbs in a mini dome and I get 88-92F basking spots in a 10 gallon tank during the summer.

[Kaianuanu]

Just swapped the domes out, I'll give it a few minutes to warm up.

[Mikoh4792]

Just swapped the domes out, I'll give it a few minutes to warm up.

I would also cover the part of the screen not taken up by your dome light with some kind of sheet(plastics, paper...doesn't matter). To keep in heat and humidity more efficiently.

[Kaianuanu]

I would also cover the part of the screen not taken up by your dome light with some kind of sheet(plastics, paper...doesn't matter). To keep in heat and humidity more efficiently.

good Idea, I have some insulative foam board that will do the trick.

[Mikoh4792]

good Idea, I have some insulative foam board that will do the trick.

Never even thought of foam board. Great idea.

[Kaianuanu]

Never even thought of foam board. Great idea.

Thanks, its the same stuff they make the higher end tri-fold presentation boards out of. Its on there, now i'm just waiting for the temps to settle.

[Kaianuanu]

Now it's sitting at 89 basking and 79 ambient.

[Mikoh4792]

Now it's sitting at 89 basking and 79 ambient.

Good to know. Wait a little more and it will probably hit the 90F mark.

[Cmwells90]

I would also cover the part of the screen not taken up by your dome light with some kind of sheet(plastics, paper...doesn't matter). To keep in heat and humidity more efficiently.

Not to jack the thread but I've been wondering what to cover the top of my cage with for the same reason, would poster board work? I was going to pick up plexiglass and drill in some holes, but I have poster board at home which would probably be easier.

[Mikoh4792]

Not to jack the thread but I've been wondering what to cover the top of my cage with for the same reason, would poster board work? I was going to pick up plexiglass and drill in some holes, but I have poster board at home which would probably be easier.

I guess, as long as it doesn't emit any toxins(fumes or gases from the print) then I would say it is safe.

[Kaianuanu]

Good to know. Wait a little more and it will probably hit the 90F mark.

You called it, a few hours later it hit 91 and 80.


Not to jack the thread but I've been wondering what to cover the top of my cage with for the same reason, would poster board work? I was going to pick up plexiglass and drill in some holes, but I have poster board at home which would probably be easier.

you'll probably want to go with something a bit sturdier, another good idea would be coroplast, it's that plastic stuff they make political yard signs out of.

[Cmwells90]

you'll probably want to go with something a bit sturdier, another good idea would be coroplast, it's that plastic stuff they make political yard signs out of.

Know a good place to pick some up?

[Kaianuanu]

Know a good place to pick some up?
You can probably find an old sign on the side of the road somewhere.

[Cmwells90]

You can probably find an old sign on the side of the road somewhere.

Lol, wasn't expecting that response but I guess it's very true, with some extreme washing!

[Kaianuanu]

Lol, wasn't expecting that response but I guess it's very true, with some extreme washing!

Other than that, I've never seen it I'm a store, you'd probably have to order it online. At that point however, it would be much easier just to go with foam board, as you can get it at any office supply or Walmart.

[Mikoh4792]

Either that or go to Home Depot and have them some plexiglass for you

[Kaianuanu]

Thanks for helping me get my temps right, my coastal will be here tomorrow morning.