Heat source for tank set up

[mvan49]

Hi,
Trying to get the correct set up for our new BP's home. We bought a used enclosure that is a basic tank with a screen top. The tank is 48" by 12" by 16" H. It came with a overhead dome fixture with a couple of bulbs. We purchased a large UTH and been using both the pad and lamp together to maintain temperature. My search to educate myself brought me to a youtube site that claims that you never ever use any over head heat source with BPs. The instructions were to use exclusively thermostatically controlled UTHs. The video stated that overhead heat sources as it applies to BPs accomplished one thing and that is your basically broiling your snake.

If this is true than do I need to buy an additional UTH for the cool side and regulate the temp lower to maintain a temperature gradient but help maintain overall temp in the tank?

More and more I'm starting to feel like we purchased the completely wrong set up for our new BP. The thing now is we have no choice but to stay with this set up for the time being. I would sure like some feed back from the experienced keepers here. Thanks.

[crysbico]

an overhead heat source is fine with an UTH. it is a heat rock that you should never use.

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...ius)-Caresheet

[Pyrate81]

That tank will be of great use for a larger snake in the future.


Most would consider your tank too big for a BP which is amendable by adding more "clutter" in the form of more decorations or balled up newspaper.

It depends on how big your snake is as well. How big is your BP??

To answer your question, heat lamps are perfectly fine to use with BPs. I've used them exclusively for the first 2 years of owning a BP until I found a UTH which I could trust. In the winter months, I pair a 40w red bulb with my UTH to maintain temps. then shut it off in the spring/summer.

The main down fall of a amps is it sucks out the humidity in the tank.

[mvan49]

Thank you for the response. Our BP is just shy of 4ft.

- - - Updated - - -

Thank you.

[Phantomtip]

Sounds like you have a 55 gal tank. Put in more clutter, make hides out of wood, plants. Also keep about 4 hiding spots and a couple water bowls. You can use a lamp. I've used them then found UTHs. I prefer UTHs because they provide belly heat. You can accomplish the same thing by putting some rocks half under the heat lamps. Just be very careful because your snake can get burns. Using just a UTH you can cover 2/3rds of the top to help hold in humidity, and I would suggest insulating the sides, and back to help with temps and humidity. I use glass tanks and insulate with blankets during cool seasons and nothing during warm. My house stays around 80 during warm seasons.

[NH93]

As long as your UTH has a thermostat! That is my only concern for you.
I actually think overhead bulbs are quite useful, especially if you have a difficult time keeping the ambient temp around 80F. If your home's temperature is below 75F regularly then I would say it is actually quite necessary. Glass isn't great for keeping heat and humidity in either - so the bulbs can dry it out. But there are many ways to combat that