How do I get a good thermal gradient? Some advice please...

Posted by Nicodemus on March 01, 2003 at 09:29:50:

So I bought my Rosy boa tank, substrate, and UTH and set it all up.
I plugged in the pad directly (no dimmer switch yet) and I've been taking my temperatures. I'd like a little advice...

On the cool side, its staying around 73-75 F. So that looks good.

However, on the hot side, I have a surface temperature of about 85 F. I understand Rosies like to burrow, so as a precaution I took the temp of the bottom of the tank UNDER the aspen substrate. Unfortuantely its reading about 110 F. Way too hot if I'm not mistaken.

So my question is, should I use less substrate so it heats up better on the surface?
Should I use a piece of cardboard or something else kinda think over the heat pad to prevent the mega high 110 F area?
Is there something I should do that I haven't thought of?

I have not bought any hide boxes or the half log hideaways yet. So I'm afraid they might get too hot under there...

Any help would be welcome.
Thanks in advance! :)

Follow Ups:

• That's what the dimmer switch is for. /np chrish 03/03/03 (2)
  • I know...but what about surface temp? Nicodemus 03/03/03 (1)
    • Re: I know...but what about surface temp? chrish 03/03/03 (0)
• Re: How do I get a good thermal gradient? Some advice please... heartsx2 03/02/03 (0)
• Re: How do I get a good thermal gradient? Some advice please... serpentdude 03/01/03 (4)
  • Hey Serpentdude...a couple more questions :) Nicodemus 03/01/03 (2)
    • Re: Hey Serpentdude...a couple more questions :) serpentdude 03/02/03 (1)
      • Re: Hey Serpentdude...a couple more questions :) Nicodemus 03/02/03 (0)
  • I try :) Nicodemus 03/01/03 (0)

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