DIY/temporary way to lower basking spot temp only?

[Tigerlily]

Another newb mistake I should have known better than...

1. I just got my digital probe thermometer and it turns out the basking spot was a LOT higher than the mercury thermometer had been reading... it goes up to 40 degrees I'm using a 10watt heat mat placed under a tile for one third of the tub, which means that entire area is basically an overheated basking spot. The gradient for the ambient temperature is perfect though so I'm not sure how to fix this. I get paid next Saturday so is there a DIY/temporary way I can reduce the floor temp without reducing the ambient temp too much until I can buy a thermostat? Would padding the floor with more paper towels work or would that be counteractive... I have thicker tiles, would that work? I read in another post to sandwich the mat between two tiles, and also to put something between the tile and the surface it's on but I forgot which post that was. Can someone clarify please?

I'm also concerned that lowering the basking spot would lower the cool end too much because it already goes down to 24 degrees at night. The snake seems to know not to spend too much time on the hot spot - during the day he's either wrapped around a branch (either on the cool end or hot end, I can't see a pattern here) or in his favourite hide which is placed where the floor temp is 28-29 degrees) but I'm concerned he might be avoiding the basking spot because it's uncomfortably hot for him. I just want to get it down to 33-35 degrees...

2. I plan to buy a proper thermostat (or mat that comes with a thermostat) next week; any particular ones you would recommend? If possible I'd prefer to buy from a herp specialist rather than my local pet barn... what are the online stores that have a good reputation?

Thanks for your help guys!

 

[hayden123113]

Im assuming you have a snake from the desired temps. I suggest that you unplug the heat matt all together the snake will survive for another week, a heat that is uncontrolled by a thermostat is very dangerous, I learnt the hard way (I did have a thermostat it just wasn't on the heat matt) and when I got home from school found that my house had burned down to the ground.....

 

[Trimeresurus]

Just put less of the heatmat under the tub, the snake only needs to have enough of a basking spot to curl up on, if you're using heat mat or heat cord 40 degrees is fine. They'll move off it when they need to. I don't use thermostats for my heatmats even for snakes that like it a bit cooler (coppers, tigers, rbbs) a small but hot basking spot is fine if it isn't raising your ambient temps.

[MENTION=35694]hayden123113[/MENTION] That's terrible about your house mate but I think that would come down more to a faulty mat or bad placement. They shouldn't ever get hot enough to start a fire under normal circumstances, even without a heat mat. If it's looking to be a hot day that is a different story and they should be switched off.

 

[Ramy]

If you're placing the mat under the tub, then you can create an air gap between the tile and the tub by propping it up a bit. That'll reduce the amount of heat transferred.

That said, a snake shouldn't be able to burn itself at 40 degrees. With a hot basking spot, it should have the sense to only bask for short periods then move away again. If you think about the situation in the wild, surface temperatures get hotter in the sun. When that's the case, they bask for short periods then move to somewhere to hide.

Ideally the temperature would be lower, and I think if you have any doubt then you should use a thermostat - better safe than sorry. If you put the heat mat under less of the tub until you can buy a thermostat, you should be fine.

 

[creaturesofhabit]

I have a spare thermostat I don't use you can have it for free. pm me
Andy

 

[Tigerlily]

:shock: That would be amazing @Andy. I just PMed you, thanks again!!

Thank you everyone else who replied as well, I'm glad to know I'm not cooking my snake at least.

@hayden123113 what a shocking story, I'm so sorry to hear it. I've never had a house burn down but did have a fire where I lost most of my personal belongings so I can kind of relate... how long ago was this and do you know what brand the mat was (so I can avoid it)?