worried about ball python temp. and safety =/

[Dagibson9]

Hey guys, I'm new here so bear with me. Im including a link a pic of my ball python setup and that is what ill be referring to during this post. I am more than worried about the temperatures for my ball python's tank and want her to be 100% comfortable and cannot seem to get them just how I want them to. I have heard you are supposed to have an ambient temp of around 85 degrees with a hotter side of around 90 and a cooler side with low 80's. So if you are looking at the picture, she is in her log to the left, there is a 10-20 gallon uth right where she is (it is a 20 gallon long tank). Right above the log the temp is measuring at around 83 degrees. In the middle there that black thermometer is reading 82 degrees and over to the far left reads around 80-79 degrees. I'm wondering if I should adjust any of these in any way? im also wondering if it will be too hot in her log with the UTH heater? will she move if she gets too hot or will she not know she is burning? I think humidity is good reading at 55% for pretty much the whole tank. Sorry if I counfused anyone I just want to make sure I'm not making her too hot. Here is the link please respond

[Dagibson9]

not sure why the link didn't work. here it is again http://s1239.photobucket.com/albums/...onsetup001.jpg

[snakesRkewl]

Is the uth being regulated by a thermostat?

With a uth you need a probed thermometer to read the temperature directly on the glass to make sure it's not over 95 degrees.
Those dials might be "ok" for ambient temperatures but not for reading the hot spot temp.

No they don't always move off of the hot spot if it's too hot, most will but some will not, this is why it's important to know the temperature of hottest spot the snake can touch, directly on the bottom of the tank over the uth.

[The Serpent Merchant]

first off I would be weary of those analogue thermometers and hydrometers they tend to be inaccurate. second how are you regulating the UTH? They can get too hot unless they are regulated by a dimmer or thermostat. The temperatures that you need to be worried about when it comes to the UTH is the surface temperature of the tank/substrate and not the ambient. I keep my ambients at 78 but have a hot side that sits between 88 and 92 and a cool side that is between 78 and 82. thats all you really need for your ball python to be happy

[HerpIsAhobby]

The pic looks like your using a heat lamp as well which also needs to be regulated by a thermostat. What is the heat lamp resting on? Just be careful because they can get extremely hot and can start a fire. Your ambient temps seem fine though so i'm pretty sure as long as you get a thermostat you'll have a very happy bp.

[L.West]

Just to chime in - I too noticed that the light is resting on something that looks like it could be flamable - I would not use that to put your light on.

[Dagibson9]

thank you all for replying so quick. the light is resting on just someting i made out of bamboo to get it away from the cage. I didnt know how else to elevate it (it gets too hot when its right on top). I have been using it for a couple days now and didn't think it would catch on fire, but definitely don't want to risk it. Nothing I have is regulated by a thermostat, but I'm getting the feeling the UTH is too hot, she has half her body out of the log instead of being curled up in there. Three questions -1. Where do i get a probe thermometer? preferably at a store and not too expensive. 2. Where do I get thermostats that work well? and 3. how does the thermostat work with the UTH? like how do you connect it to the UTH? thanks again

[L.West]

You can get an accurite therm/hygro meter at Walmart for like $12.00 bucks. Alot of us here on this site use this brand.

Thermostats can range from $90 to $250 in price - I like the Helix brand for about $145. You just plug the uth into the Helix and then the helix into your outlet. You would place the probe from the Helix onto the UTH/or the glass bottom of your tank so it can read the temps and regulate it.

Also, I know some people use light dimmer switches to regulate - these save you some money but I have no experience with them. A thermostat is one of the most important pieces of equipment you will need so I wouldn't go cheap on them - spend the extra money and get a good reliable one.

Good luck with your setup.

[RichL]

The accurites are the way to go. They have a probe you can place under the hide on the glass with a long cord to place the unit itself in the middle of the tank to measure ambient and humidity. Not to mention it shows all 3 on the display without having to 'cycle' through anything. Can't beat it for $12ish.

Just look close to the 'lighting' aisle @ Walmart if you are having a hard time find them. They are usually around that same area.

[thorblood666]

2. Where do I get thermostats that work well? and 3. how does the thermostat work with the UTH? like how do you connect it to the UTH? thanks again

http://www.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-MTPR...1529683&sr=1-7

here is a link for a cheap thermostat, I havent used it yet, but many members say its not bad. And for 30 dollars it is a good deal.