Custom Controller Questions + Newbie Questions

[Zeusy]

Hi all, complete newbie to all of this and have been researching the forums for some time now. Have decided on either a Jungle or an Albino Darwin but have yet to setup a click clack and work out all the temps etc before i purchase.

Anyway, my employment allows me access to some useful stuff including a programmable controller. Basically, i can connect sensors (like temp ones which are extremely accurate) and then control outputs like lights, fans, whatever. I have written a program that will display (it has an colour LCD display) two temps; warm and cold end. It will control a dc output to turn a heat light on and off dependant on what temp i set it to and whether the warm end temp input is above or below this setting. I have also setup a time control so i can control a UVB light (is this something i would need?)

My question is what else can you suggest i do with said controller? Unfortunately, they don't make a humidity sensor but other suppliers do so i am looking at making it so it controls a misting system to maintain humidity. I know this is probably too much but it cost me nothing and i can do so many things with it.

Might tag another newb question on here too:
Basically, my whole house is air conditioned and it's pretty much running all day but gets very little natural light. I also have a room built onto the back which is basically an enclosed patio and its gets really hot out there but has heaps of natural light. Where would be the best spot for the enclosure/click clack? Anything i would need to do with the enclosure? I would imagine that because air con dries air out, i should be keeping moisture in the enclosure by spraying down the substrate regularly depending on what the hygrometer is reading.

Any and all suggestions and comments are welcomed.

Cheers all

 

[smileysnake]

gday mate i have only been in the reptile keeping since may so i have a few answers for you....1...your snakes do not need that much humidity that you need a mister please dont mist your substrate this will cause scale rot among other things...2...uvb those 2 snakes you mentioned dont require a uv light if you have time take them outside and get some sun 15-20 minutes a day a few times a week this will be enough...3....how hot does your patio get ? sounds like it might be too much try to keep your enclosure or click/clack away from direct sunlight as it will probably get too hot for them...4 your controller only needs to regulate the heat and a day/night time cycle it keeps it simple so there is not too much stuffing around...like i said this is what i have learnt and if i am wrong on anything someone will correct me.....good luck mate nice choice in your first snakes.... happy reptile keeping enjoy...WARNING SNAKES ARE ADDICTIVE.......

 

[Zeusy]

I'm just concerned that the air conditioning would dry the air out too much or is the drier air during the day and some moisture when it's off during the night ok?
Thanks heaps for the reply

 

[Skinnerguy]

Hey Zeusy, I agree with a fair bit of what smileysnake said. Firstly, as a hatchling, and definitely whilst in a click clack, humidity doesn't really need to be regulated. Not to say it isn't important, but not maintained 24/7. Humidity is important (as you've probably read) when it comes to shedding or sloughing time. When you start to see signs of your hatchie about to shed, then misting maybe once a day would be beneficial, until the shed is complete. If humidity is kept at a high level constantly, complications such as scale rot and respiratory problems may arise. Also, substrate that is always wet or damp encourages mould and fungal growth.

I would recommend situating your click clack in the air conditioning, as this makes it so much easier for your controller to regulate the temperature if it's operating within an already controlled environment. It's much better to have a dry snake (that will possibly soak in its water bowl anyway) than a cooked one. And temperature control is particularly important with hatchies. I keep Albino Darwins and it is my belief, the less sunlight, the better. The albinism in the animal means it has no melanin that effectively works as a sunblock, and so sunlight has much greater effects on these animals than "wild" types. So I'd say a little a week would be my recommended maximum, but that's just me. I can't speak for Jungles, as I've never kept them, but I would assume they're the same as any other species, they love it out on the grass and a few minutes a day would make them very happy as well as benefit their health. So basically, definitely not out in the heat, particularly for Albino animals. But these are my personal thoughts and I'm hoping other experienced keepers will back up what I've said and correct my mistaken thoughts. I have to say though, I'm incredibly jealous of the fact that you have access to this technology, and for free too. Do what you can with it, because it's a great opportunity and most reptile keepers would die to have something like that which would save time spent stuffing around with various instruments and devices. Good luck and I hope whatever choice you make makes you and your charge happy.

 

[Pauls_Pythons]

I have a suggestion for that controller of yours and please dont take this the wrong way as it sounds like a fantastic piece of kit, BUT.................My suggestion is put it away until you start breeding, would be a great controller for an incubator.
You dont need such serious levels of control for most species, watch your snake learn what he prefers and grow your knowledge and understanding of your chosen species while you enjoy.
Good positioning of a good sized water bowl is sufficient in most circumstances to raise humidity levels. If the enclosure is large enough and with enough places for your pet to get away from any unsuitable temperatures you will quickly realise that if he spends all his time at the cool end the hot end is probably too hot etc.