My first Ball Python "Brutis" Heating problem

[uwanaknome]

I just got my first Ball Python "Brutis". He is still young about 1 1/2 ft. I have him in a 10gal tank. I have a small under tank heater directly under his hide and water on the other side of the tank. I put a heavy towel over most of the screen on the top but I am not getting his tank to the desired temp (about 72 on the cold side). He comes out of his hide but not for long then goes back in.

Would it be ok to get another under tank heater to leave on during the day? If yes should I put it under the water on the other side of the tank?
Or would you recommend a heat light?

Thank you in advance for your help. I want to make sure I provide the best home possible for him.

Regards,
Cory

[Kaorte]

!!!!

The UTH you have should be running 24/7 and be controlled by a reptile thermostat.

How are you measuring temps? If you aren't using a digital thermometer, chances are the temps and humidity are off. Home depot sells a cheap indoor outdoor thermometer and hygrometer combo that works great for single setups like this. Its called an Accurite and is only about $12. If you are not controlling your UTH with anything, pick up a lutron lamp dimmer at the home depot as well ($11).

If after you control the UTH and have it running constantly and are getting correct temperature readings and the temp is still too low, then I would think about getting a second UTH for the cool side or a lamp (these do lower humidity though).

Also, you could insulate the back and sides of the tank with black foam board. This will help keep in the heat a bit better. Ditch the towel on top of the tank and replace it with some aluminum foil tape on the screen. Cover about 3/4ths of the screen.

I would also think about getting the snake a second identical hide for the cool side.

Good luck!

[uwanaknome]

I have the one UTH running 24/7, there is no temp control on it. I plan on going to Home Depot to get a better thermometer than the on I have, and the aluminum foil tape sounds like a great idea.


I am also reading about a ceramic heat emitter as an option but feel that when I turn it off at night the temp will be to low for him. Maybe the Lutron Lamp Dimmer is my answer. Also have heard that the heater can dry out his home.

How do you control the humidity with a ceramic heater?




I feel that if I have a 2nd UTH I will not have a hot and cool side just one single temp. Not sure if leaving part of the screen will be enough to control this.

It sounds like the ceramic heater will be the best option unless kills the humidity.

[WingedWolfPsion]

Why would you turn it off at night?

[Kaorte]

I have the one UTH running 24/7, there is no temp control on it. I plan on going to Home Depot to get a better thermometer than the on I have, and the aluminum foil tape sounds like a great idea.


I am also reading about a ceramic heat emitter as an option but feel that when I turn it off at night the temp will be to low for him. Maybe the Lutron Lamp Dimmer is my answer. Also have heard that the heater can dry out his home.

How do you control the humidity with a ceramic heater?




I feel that if I have a 2nd UTH I will not have a hot and cool side just one single temp. Not sure if leaving part of the screen will be enough to control this.

It sounds like the ceramic heater will be the best option unless kills the humidity.

You need to control the UTH with something. A reptile thermostat is preferable, but a rheostat or lamp dimmer will do. You will just have to constantly adjust it.

If you have a second UTH, you will set the temperature to 80* (where as the hotside would be ~90*). This way you will have a temperature gradient.

If you get a CHE, you can leave it on 24/7 but it will lower the humidity. There is no way to control the humidity with a CHE other than using a dimmer with it or just turning it off entirely. As long as it is on, the humidity will drop significantly.

[uwanaknome]

WingedWolfPsion - to answer your question, because I was told to keep the temp at 80 cool - 90 hot during day and 70 cool - 80 hot at night.



Kaorte - so let me make sure I have this correct you say 2 UTH with temp controls? This sounds like something that I will have to play around with. The controls dont have temp settings do they?

example the UTH i have not you just plugg in. I have no idea the temp it runs at other than putting a thermostat on it.

[Kaorte]

The more expensive ($70) thermostats do have a way to set the exact temperature. A dimmer is just a little switch that you move up and down based on what your thermometer is reading.

If you just plug a regular UTH into the wall, it runs between 90-120*F. Usually on the hotter end which is enough to cause thermal burns.

Lets be clear on this though. There is a difference between a thermoMETER and a thermoSTAT. A thermometer measures the temperature of something. A thermostat controls the temperature of something by measuring the temperature of a heat source and either turning the heater on or off.

You snake does not need a night drop. The snake is better off without one. Constant temps are much more desirable. 70* is far too cool and can cause your snake to get sick if left like that for too long. Also, your snake needs that 90* temp in order to digest food properly.

[uwanaknome]

I let my current UTH heat up and put my hand directly on it. I dont believe it was more than 90 but hard to tell. I was able to hold my hand on it with no problems. (felt nice) and the one heater is not warming the entire enclosure so I dont think it is to hot for him but will do some further checking tonight.



Thank you so much for the help.

Looks like I will be doing some shopping tonight.

[Quiet Tempest]

I let my current UTH heat up and put my hand directly on it. I dont believe it was more than 90 but hard to tell. I was able to hold my hand on it with no problems. (felt nice) and the one heater is not warming the entire enclosure so I dont think it is to hot for him but will do some further checking tonight.



Thank you so much for the help.

Looks like I will be doing some shopping tonight.

What do you mean by "felt nice"? Your body temperature is 98.6F. If you're feeling heat, then it's likely too hot for your snake.

[uwanaknome]

felt warm not hot.