beginner, need help

[nicolerawr33]

Hello I just got a ball python and have been doing some serious research on them, I want to make sure he has the best possible life he can have.
I have a 29 gallon fish tank, ik these r bad for snakes because they dont do well with humidity, so I built a plastic top with holes instead of a screen which has helped with the humidity. I got him two identical hides one on the cold side and one on the warm side, his water dish I'd n the middle, and 8 have plants, branches, and other things in the cage for him to slither on.
I did a lot of research and found that a lot of ppl said to get a uth instead of a heat lamp so I got a uth, I thought it wouldn't b bot enough so I also got a heat lamp because the lady at pet Co told me she thought it would b a good idea. Well I plugged in the Mat alone and turns out it's too hot, the have a digital thermometer on the floor where the heat Mat is and it comes up 92-94 degrees. Which ik is too hot. But the cold side is too cold it's around 73 degrees. So how can I fix this?

[iPanda]

92 for a ball is fine. Put the UTH on a thermostat though, so it can't get any hotter. I have mixed feelings about a 'too cold' cold side...as long as they have a side with adequate temps, is the cool side being 'too' cool a huge deal?

[nicolerawr33]

Ik a heat Mat temperature controller would help with the warm side to make it not as hot. But what about the cool side should i put a heat lamp up on that side? What wattage should i use then?
My tank is 29 gallons but it's not a wide one it's a tall one.

[Eric Alan]

It sounds like you've done a fair bit of research, but somehow managed to miss the most critical piece of equipment to your snake: a thermostat. A thermometer will tell you the temperature (important), a thermostat will control the temperature (critical).

Here is a good thread on best practices when setting up an aquarium for a ball python: http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...With-Pictures!

Take some time and really read through the above thread. There is a lot of good information on how to use a heat lamp and a UTH in tandem to regulate temperatures. Also, it gives pointers on how to overcome the humidity battle in glass aquariums.

Last but not least, ! There are a lot of really knowledgeable people on this site that are more than willing to help out. Congrats on your new !

[nicolerawr33]

Okay thank you. Yeah the hot side around the afternoon time can get as hot as 96 degrees in there, it worries me. I'm gonna go out a buy a controller for him as soon as possible. I thought about it yesterday and checked all the stores around and nobody seems 2 have one. Only online, I'm afraid by the time I get him one, he might die of heat or something

[iPanda]

A heat lamp will dry it out....a CHE (ceramic heat emitter) on a dimmer might help boost it a little.

[Eric Alan]

I have mixed feelings about a 'too cold' cold side...as long as they have a side with adequate temps, is the cool side being 'too' cool a huge deal?

Here is a good discussion and survey/poll from a couple years ago on how cold is too cold: http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...low-can-you-go

[iPanda]

Here is a good discussion and survey/poll from a couple years ago on how cold is too cold: http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...low-can-you-go

Oh man!! Thank you so much!!! *reads intently*

[nicolerawr33]

Thank you so much.

[nicolerawr33]

I haven't actually picked him up yet, I'm letting him get adjusted to his environment first, and then i'll go from there. Is there any tips u can give me so that he won't strike me? I looked up pictures of their teeth, and talked to ppl they said it's like ripping off velcro and that it doesn't hurt too bad, I'm not afraid I'm just kinda like if it happens it happens, but I would rather it not.