Aussie Pythons and Snakes

bigguy · #1 24-Jul-04, 09:07 PM

Hi,

Well breeding season is apon us now. It wont be too long till the 1st eggs are laid. Most people I know have built their own incubators to hatch their eggs in. The incubators temps are controlled by thermostats. Unfortunately, most people have on/off thermostats which might have anything up to a 4c flux.

The more even you can keep the temps, the better hatch rate you will receive. I would recommend anyone who is serious about their breeding and only have a low rate on/off thermostats, consider changing to proportional thermostats. The advantage with these is that they check the temp every few seconds and adjust the power output accordingly. The result is a temperature variation of less then 1c, resulting in great hatch rates.

Ultimate Reptiles of SA have now imported one of the best European thermostats on the market, Microclimate. Not only are they great thermostats, but they are about one third the cost I have paid for the same type of thermostats from the States.

Looking at Ultimates range I see there are 2 types I would highly recommend for incubators. The B1 Dimming model at $125 is great for any incubators using lights or heating pads or cords to create the heat. The B2 pulse model at $110 is great for heat pads or cords only(not suitable for light bulbs) At this price even if they save just 1 egg for the season they would have paid for themselves. But I can guarentee they will save more then 1 egg in a season.

I can not push the point enough that these thermostats will only increase your breeding protential. Its about time that herpers in Australia were finally offered a range of top class thermostats in our country, rather than have to have them imported from overseas and adjusted for our currents.

peterescue · #2 24-Jul-04, 09:13 PM

Thanks for the info bigguy. You just answered something we'd been discusing today about temp fluctuations.

sobrien · #3 24-Jul-04, 09:56 PM

Sounds like someone is working for URS

lol, just kidding. Thanks for the info bigguy, I'm going to get some!

#4 24-Jul-04, 10:03 PM

Yeah good stuff.
I think i will go with one of those thermostats as im going to be breeding some beardies this season hopefully.

Cheers bigguy, Alan.

bigguy · #5 24-Jul-04, 10:12 PM

Sobrien

No, not working for URS, just for fellow keepers. If I do not believe in a product, I am the first to let people know its failures. If I think a new product can help keepers, then I will let them know of its benifits.

This just happens to be one of the best products to hit Australia for reptile keeping in years. So, I am just letting people know.

Tim at Ultimate will be the first to tell you if I don't believe in a product I will let people know, much to his distaste.

sobrien · #6 24-Jul-04, 11:03 PM

haha, fair enough bigguy. I think it's vital that good products get the praise they deserve. It helps the maker of product and also helps out us consumers find reliable and good products. Please continue this because I know a lot of us really appreciate it.
Thanks again for the info,
Regards, Simon.
P.S What are your thoughts on Mercury Vapour Bulbs??

bigguy · #7 25-Jul-04, 12:06 AM

Sobrien,

The origional ones used in tanning saloons came from Europe. I think they are 270watts and these are fantastic in large zoo enclosures. In smaller enclosures, this size bulb would fry your animals.

A few years back, the USA started to market small bulbs for smaller cages(100 and 160watts). These work great, far superior than any fluro bulb could ever approach. The trouble was these were very expensive. Often over $120 here in Australia

Lately, a cheaper, more affordable bulb has started to come out of China. The prototype model was a disaster, normally only lasting a few minutes before it blew. The second attempt wasn't much better, with over half blowing within the first week or so. Tim at Ultimate lost a lot of money on this model as he bought 500 of both sizes, and had to continually replace them as they blew prematurally. The third attempt was a success. I have been using the latest model now for over 6 months and not one blowout.

I would recommend MVL to annyone who seriously want to keep lizards like dragons. The Chinese models now work great and are around one third the cost of the USA models. Afer using them you would never go back to fluro tubes.

Pyror · #8 25-Jul-04, 10:10 AM

Hey bigguy,

Which brand of MVB are you using? As i have seen 2 on the market: one going by the name "Oz Bright" and one under the name "Aussie Sun". Furthermore what sort of heat output have you experienced from these? have you found them to be adequate for dragons, or have you needed to provide extra sources of heat to achieve desired temps?

Ben.

bigguy · #9 25-Jul-04, 11:27 AM

Ben,

Have used both brands. Just as good as each other :wink: As for heat, they will supply all you need. However, at night time when you turn the MVB off , you may want a secondary heat source to keep your lizards warm

sobrien · #10 25-Jul-04, 01:30 PM

Thanks for that bigguy

bigguy · #11 25-Jul-04, 02:24 PM

Sobrien,

Your welcome. Give them ago.

sobrien · #12 25-Jul-04, 02:53 PM

will do

peterescue · #13 25-Jul-04, 04:10 PM

Oh well. Its only money. (well actually its not yet, its only a credit card at the moment but I could have bought a very nice snake with what I just spent at URS). I hate the internet. I blame you personally Bigguy.
Were happy little thermostats................