Thermometers and Heating Element questions

[RedSidedSPR]

Garters are a lot more flexible and won't get sick or stressed as easily if exposed to a wider variety of temps).

All of that is true, but you DON"T want to have the whole cage at 80. They need a cool side (not cold) and a warm side (not hot), AKA basking area.

[Sonya610]

All of that is true, but you DON"T want to have the whole cage at 80. They need a cool side (not cold) and a warm side (not hot), AKA basking area.

I won't artificially keep the whole tank that warm BUT the summer temps are naturally hot here, so yeah even with supplmental heat turned off (just the reptisun on) it will still be 80 degrees often during the summer. AC runs but doesn't keep it a frosty 70 degrees or anything.

They can tolerate that right? Natural heat in the 80ish range, or do I have a problem?

Edit just reread your post Redsided...so 65 to 80 is a good "cool side temp". Missed that the first time when you said don't heat the whole tank to 80+.

[RedSidedSPR]

I won't artificially keep the whole tank that warm BUT the summer temps are naturally hot here, so yeah even with supplmental heat turned off (just the reptisun on) it will still be 80 degrees often during the summer. AC runs but doesn't keep it a frosty 70 degrees or anything.

They can tolerate that right? Natural heat in the 80ish range, or do I have a problem?

Edit just reread your post Redsided...so 65 to 80 is a good "cool side temp". Missed that the first time when you said don't heat the whole tank to 80+.

When I said 80 that was a little too warm. Sorry. But that should be fine. 80 is a warm enough for the warm side. And if thats the case, than you want the cool side cooler than that... But if your gonna have 80 some of the year along with a heat lamp, try not to let it get to hot. Only in the summer probably wont hurt, though.