setup need help

[jetsguy]

i am new to pythons and am tring to get my setup operating properly before getting my snake. i have a 20l tank i have an exo-terra heat pad on the cool side a large water dish in the middle and a hide on either side. not i have read that you have to have a rehostat on the heat pad and after some testing im getting 94* between the glass and the cage carpet and un top of the carpet its 82* is this ok what should i do there. second im having trouble picking the right bulb size for the night and day lights. there are not normaly lights on in that room so im sure i will need one, i started with a 75w day spot for the warm side and it got up to 96* im not sure if this is to warm should i try and raise the light, get a dimmer or go to the next size down, also for the cold side i have herd not to have a difrent temp at night and also to so with the 60w night bulb it gets to 76* on the floor is this to low. is it right to have the uth on the cold side. i apreciate the help

[MustBeSatan]

I'm confused a little bit here, could have been a typo... You say you have your UTH on the cool side, and a light on the warm side? This seems odd... So if it's just a typo, and instead of UTH on the cool side you meant UTH on the warm side, that's one thing, but if your UTH is on the cool side then no, I would move it over to the warm side, get rid of the light altogether, it will just sap your humidity.

The warm side should be in the area of 94, your cool side should be around 80-82... You may also want to rethink using carpet, as cleaning is a pain. For detailed husbandry information, have a read over the ball python caresheet found HERE

Post up again with any more questions after you've checked that out.

[seeya205]

The uth temp should be 90-94 on the warm side, the cool side should be about 80-84. The ambient(air) temp should be at least 75! You should have a dimmer(rheostat) or thermostat controlling your uth(under tank heater) or it may get too hot and burn and/or kill your snake. Your substrate should not be very thick to allow heat through. You do not need any lights. Humidity should be at 50% to 60%. You need a digital thermostat with a probe and the probe should be between the glass and the uth for accurate readings. You should cover sides and back to add security for your snake. Two identical hides, one on the cool side and one on the hot side. If its a hatchling bp you are getting then you will need to put lots of stuff(plants, logs etc.) in the tank to add security as a 20 long in a little large for a baby. Good luck with your new pet! You will enjoy it!!!

[jetsguy]

ok i was misguided i just found this site and where i had found info before said to put the uth on the cold side but thaks for clearing that up. also i am going to change the carpet out with either cypress or coco husks. but what should i be reading on top of the glass for the uth whats the highest. i will be getting a thermostat first thing in the morning, like i said it is a dark room to keep a day night cycle should i keep the light. whats the hottest temp i should run under the light.

[seeya205]

No lights are needed! The temp should not be higher than 94 degrees!

[Kaorte]

What kind of thermometer are you using to measure temps? That could have a lot to do with the temps you are getting.

[jetsguy]

so i change alot today i put in the cypress and added the r500 thermostat for the uth i have an acurite, i changed the night bulb to a che and removed the day bulb completely. after leaving it for a few hrs i checked the temps the uth was at 99* the hot side at the bottom was at 86* and the cold side a 76* i had a towell over 2/3 of the tank. i am messing with the uth to turn it down a bit but how could i raise the cold side just a bit without messin with the hot side temps

[seeya205]

You can use a small uth with a dimmer on the cool side to get the temp up to 80. That is what I do in the winter months. You should use foil to cover the top! It will hold in heat and humidity better than a towel! You will need to tweak the thermostat a little to get you temps dailed in. You also need to cover the sides and the back of the tank with paper or a background!