need help with ball python enclosure setup

[jbrad]

so i have just acquired a ball python from a friend who did not want him anymore. i was more than happy to take him in, i love snakes. anyways, i want to make sure by new buddy is as happy and as comfortable as i can make him in his new home. so far, he has a hollowed out rock which i do believe is a little too big for him, a small half log, a little water bowl which i am probably going to upgrade, and a heating pad. i purchased eco earth as his substrate. he is housed in a 20 gallon aquarium. my question is what the best placement for all of his toys would be? should i place the heating pad under the hollow rock? also, i have a 60w blue day time bulb. if you had all of these items, how would you more experienced ball owners set it all up?

edit: also, what new things will he need to make him happy, and what about lighting? i have gotten extremely mixed answers on the lighting topic and would like to hear it from you all too. thanks

[West Coast Jungle]

They don't need light, they would prefer it darker as they naturally would be in a dark burrow during the day. You want to get the warm spot in the high 80's to low 90's. Most prefer small tight hides which they can squeeze into to feel secure. When he approaches shed you need to bump up the humidity by misting down the enclosure so he sheds correctly. Try to keep the rest of the enclosure in the upper 70's to low 80's.

[jbrad]

so to ensure i can get the optimum temp/humidity on both sides, what should i go with for lights? because i obviously cant heat the tank and keep it humid without them.

[KMG]

You need a thermostat to regulate the under tank heater. It is very important. Buy the best you can afford. I recommend these. http://www.spyderrobotics.com/store/...ain_page=index

I would place the rock hide over the uth on the warm side. If it is to big you can add moss inside to make it seem smaller. The half hide I would replace because they do not offer much security but for now I would place it on the cool side. The water bowl can go near the middle. Your warm and cool side can be what ever side you want. I always make the left side (when facing the tank) my warm side and the right the cool. No reason, just my way.

A uth will not warm your air temps in the tank and the heat bulb might be needed. I can't tell you for sure and you will have to see what temp your tank is sitting at and let us know so we can help you with that. It is a pretty safe bet if you use an a/c you will need it.

If the room the snake is in gets light during the day a light source is not needed for the tank. I personally make sure all my snakes experience a light cycle. Make sure that the snake tank is not in direct sunlight.

[jbrad]

ok just checked in the hollow rock which sits over the uth, and the ground is nice and warm (not too hot) and the inside of the rock seems to be fairly humid which is because of the eco earth. i have not invested in a thermometer/hygrometer combination as of yet, but i definitely plan on it. what kind should i use, and what is the most accurate?

[KMG]

Most here use Accurite units. You can get them at Walmart for about $12. With any cheap device they can be off. I have three and they have all worked great for me.

My favorite way to check temps is with a IR temp gun. Amazon has them cheap and they make snake keeping much easier and precise.

[jbrad]

ok. he is near a window so he will definitely get the day night cycle. will the only light that i will possibly need be the heating light? why do i see so many terrariums with two lights? so he definitely has an adequate hide hole on the warm side with plenty of humidity if he wants it. on the cool side i am assuming i should place a hide so that he can get away from the humidity if he needs to?

[KMG]

In a tank I doubt the humidity will ever be high enough to cause a problem. The ecoearth will dry out on top in a few days, it should be fine. Glass tank do not hold humidity well. You will probably be asking how to raise it once you get a gauge and see how low it gets. Cover the top with foil tape and use humid hides will be your responses.

Two lights probably means they needed more heat or they have a day bulb and a night bulb. Not so much for the snake but more for the owner. I like to present my glass tanks and don't like a red light over them during the day. I also keep it cold so I actually run a che, heat lamp, and uth at all times.

[jbrad]

what is a che? also, if i wanted to upgrade to a different terrarium that held humidity better, what should i go with? the exo terra 36x18x12?

[KMG]

CHE = ceramic heating element

None of the glass cages are going to be great for heat or humidity. Pvc is best.

These are just two examples. There are many good companies out there. Search the threads here and you will find alot of info on them.

http://www.animalplastics.com/ Check out the T3

http://www.boaphileplastics.com/cages.html

Don't think I'm saying you should change. I have a ball in a tank because I like how it displays. You can make it work it is just not as efficient as other types available.