How do you make the plastic viv hot enough without lighting?

[Medusa<3]

Hi! I am new to this site, and am purchasing my ball phython today but want to make sure i have all the right still first. I am getting a small (but not too small plastic bin to keep it in ( a baby) and a UTH. I am going to find 100% cypress mulch and get some moss. But as far as lights go? I heard you have to keep the warm side of the tank at about 90 but how do you do this with an area so small?

[Medusa<3]

and with glass vivs you can just set the light on top of the tank, but how do you set a light on a plastic tub?

[MisterKyte]

I don't really think you can safely use lights with a plastic tub or at least not ones that will give off a significant amount of heat.
You're best bet it to probably stick with the UTHs or a full room heater.

[satomi325]

What are you room temps?
If your temps are ~75+, then the UTH should be fine to provide a reasonable gradient alone without additional heating.
(~88-91 hot spot, 75-80 cool side)

[Medusa<3]

Thank you! I have not even purchased my BP yet, but want to be really educated before i get it. So what all do i need? its a baby so is a 10 gal to small for a tub? Poke holes in it, get substrate that will hold moisture, get a UTH and put in on one side of the tank and then just keep the room warm enough? water of coarse , and a hide? Is that basically it?

- - - Updated - - -

also.. with a UTH and plastic.. it wont melt the plastic right?

[MisterKyte]

A UTH with a thermostat to regulate heating should not pose any risk to melting plastic.

[tlich]

Welcome to the site, I actually have recently set up a temp. tub for my boa, I have an uth on the hot side and a zoomed infrared lamp for the ambients and to warm the cool side some, I have a lamp stand to keep the lamp up off the plastic it works fine. It just heats through the plastic.

[tlich]

Also it's best to set it all up and let it run for a while so you can get the temps all adjusted.

[Medusa<3]

Do you think you could post a picture?

[Medusa<3]

My room temps are pretty cold. Maybe around 67