New snake owner need HELP with temps

[Suckertash2005]

Hi I need some help please..
I'm new to reptile ownership and have recently bought my first python a 6wk old WA stimmie..
I have a JET-005 day/night dimming timer thermostat, I'm sure I have worked out how to use it correctly..
My scaley friend is in a small click clack container inside my L60xW60xH90cm glass tank (the shop that sold it to me said to leave it in the container for about a month).. Anyways I have a basking lamp and a heat pad (both on thermostat) and a UV light (on timer).. I'm having trouble with the temps in the hot zone I have it at 32degrees and I can only get the cool zone down to about 29-30degrees. How can I get the temp in the cooler zone down more???? Also what is the appropriate day and night temps in both the hot and cool zone for my new pet??
Any advise would be much appreciated. TIA

 

[bigjoediver]

Turn every thing off, place heat mat under a 1/4 to a 1/3 of the click clack and place probe between mat and click clack. Make sure the click clack is getting some light to ensure a good photo period. Check temps. No need for UV for snakes. Aim for 32c at hot end and 28c at cool end.

 

[Cold-B-Hearts]

certainly seems like you have been doing your research i would just bump the hot spot down to 30 your snake will digest fine with that. hopefully that would cool down the other end, if your snake is spending a fair amount of time on both sides i wouldnt worry if its hugging the cool side alot then keep changing variable untill you find whats right for you and your snake . welcome to the hobby

 

[Kelton22]

Congrats on your new addition.
First thing, that enclosure seems a little big height wise. Youll find that Stimmies usually arent that keen on climbing (granted there are some that give it a go), having a tall enclosure is just wasting space in your room.
Youd probably be better off just using the heatmatt OR the bulb, he'll only need one warm basking spot and having 2 is just increasing the ambient temp. Also dont worry too much about the UV, im pretty sure its only Diamond pythons that need it although theres a lot of debate on the forum. In my experience as long as you get them outside to stretch and sun every now and then they shouldnt have any problems.
If you want to keep both the heat bulb and the heatmatt all i can suggest is going to a lower wattage of bulb and putting less of the heatmatt underneath. I have a 3month Jungle python in a L45xW45xH60 enclosure and just a 50W bulb is more than enough to heat one side during the summer. If you get desperate put a big bottle of water in the freezer until its completely solid then put it inside the enclosure. It sounds stupid but its made the difference for me a few times.
If youre handy you could also try adding in some more ventilation holes, you can buy them from bunning for nothing at all, putting a fan in the room would increase air circulation too. Of course there are some stinking hot days when theres nothing you can do, so dont forget these are Australian snakes and theyre adapted to the hot weather too, a few hot days wont do them any harm.
Id keep the temp on the same (32-33) both day and night until hes a year or so old, when theyre that small they cant hold their body heat very well.
Feel free to PM me if you have any issues. Im by no means an expert but ill do what i can.

 

[Norm]

Why have the click-clack inside the bigger cage? Your creating a warmer environment around the click -clack because although it doesn`t seem much, every time your heat mat and/or light come on they`re also warming the air inside that bigger cage which will effect the temps your getting at the cool end.
Take the click-clack out and place 1/3 over the heat mat with the thermo probe either in the click-clack at the hot end or between c/c and mat, doesn`t really matter. Now take the bigger cage and store it somewhere until your ready to use it.

 

[Suckertash2005]

Thanks for the advise, I didnt think i needed a uv light but the person at the pet shop insisted i did.. i got a larger tank and set up before i got my python so i didnt know what i was getting as i went to the melbourne Reptile expo to buy my pet..
i have to keep my snake friend in the cage cause of my young kids and there is no place other to store the tank!! I have turned of the heat lamp and only have him 1/3 on the heat matt and changing the uv to a normal energy saver light!! I have been told so many different temps to keep him on its confusing!!

 

[Norm]

Hot end 30-32, not as big of an issue as having a decent cool end. I would go with 30 so your cool end stays as low as possible.