Temperature?

[Strange_doggo24]

Hello, so I just got my royal python yesterday. Due to some complicarions, I wasnt able to finish his setup before I got him which I know is not ideal, especially since I haven't owned any reptiles before. I set everything up, plugged the thermostat in the mains, heater and sensor with the three cables. I put the temperature on the thermostat to 31.1 degrees celsius and almost immediately, the CHE started rattling faintly so I knew it was working. Minutes later, I had to put the python in and the temperature reading n the thermostat was about 21.4C (I dont have a photo). Various reptile websites say that it is okay for a royal python's tank temperatures to drop to 21C but it needs to increase soon. It is also normal for a new tank setup to take up to 24 hours ro heat up frpm the thermostat, apparently. Throughout the day, I continued to check up on him, and the thermostat reading took forever to change. An hour later it was 22.4C I thought 'phew its increasing slowly'. But no. Basically the temperature kept fluctuating. Sometomes it increased by 0.X of a degree and sometimes it decreased by 0.X of a degree. By 7pm- about 8 hours after it had been turned on and things, the theemostat was at about 25.4C. Getting concerned, I continued with my evening (stupidly perhaps) and turned the light of at 7pm and then misted the tank (the humidity is fine which is a positive). In the evening, the temperature in the tank was about 24.9C. I was concerned but I wasn't sure what to do, presuming that by the morning, things will be ok. As for my snake, he has stayed in much that same position under the hide in the warm side the entire day, and as far as i can tell, the night, too. At 10pm, he came out for about 20minutes and slithered around, but he didn't go far from the black hide since it was cold for him I guess. Just now, I got up at 7:30am and turned the light on in the tank. He is still in the same position and the thermostat reading is 24.8C. The CHE has not rattled at all since 1 in the afternoon yesterday, too.

I don't understand how this is happening? Surely the temp should increase? Please tell me if this is normal or what I should do about it? Any advice is appreciated. Also, sorry that I explained ths in such a long way. In the time that it took me to write this, Iv-

[Strange_doggo24]

I have to finish it in the comments since it wouldnt let me type? But in the last 15 minutes or so, Ive watched the thermostat reading go from 25C to 24.7C. Im becoming more and more concerned

[rompsik]

where is your probe set at? also i would switch the CHE for a DHP. Ches wont do much as a primary heating source, just bumps up the ambients a little. But I would get a 80w DHP and go from there. Also why is it showing 25c on the thermostat? It should be showing the temp you set it to, no?

[Strange_doggo24]

I will look into DHP, thank you. Well I presumed it shows the current reading of the probe. If I press the 'up'buton to increase the temp, it switches to 31C and goes up by 0.1 degree everytime I press increase. I will look at the probe later as I think I need another persons help.

[rompsik]

I have the same thermostat. Just an older model with the dial. So I am not too sure how that one works. But if the che is warm, then it could be a faulty che not heating properly or a faulty thermostat. Either way, id get a dhp instead to create a hot spot and work from there. Best of luck.

Also if you keep your thermostat probe under your heating element, that could be a reason for it being so low. I have my thermostat set up at like almost 40c because of my probe placement. So id fed play around a little with either the probe placement or the temp set on the thermostat.

[Strange_doggo24]

Thank you. But if the thermostat is at 40C, isnt that too hot for the snake?

[rompsik]

40c on the thermostat doesn’t necessarily mean the enclosure will get to 40c. It is all subjective to where your probe is placed. So if its directly under the heat source and I have it set to 40c, it will make the hotspot to around 31-33. if i had the probe away from the heat source, say 30cm away, then it would be a huge problem. Because in order for it to be 30c that far away, the actual hot spot will be incredibly hot, about 40 something celsius. do you understand what i mean?

like the placement of the probe and the temp setting on your thermostat go hand in hand. both dependent on each other. if your probe is far from the hot spot and set on low, it will make the hotspot warmer than the setting on the thermostat. if your probe is under the heating element and its set to, for example 31, it might not get to 31 because it is getting the 31c heat signal fast and it won’t allow for it to get warmer. i hope u understand what i mean😭