Heating issues

[LAscorpio]

Hi,

I have recently re-homed a one and a half year old ball python. The hot spot temperature is okay - but the ambient temperature is in the very low 20s.
I'm currently heating with a heat mat under a tray within the cage (see picture) and I'm not really sure whether I should get a basking light?
I mean as you can see from my picture, my enclosure isn't really the best enclosure for lamps; but I know I need to get the heat up ASAP.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated, especially if they are specific to my enclosure seen in the picture below. Oh, and the more economically viable the better.

Thank you!

Image: http://www.photobox.co.uk/my/photo?a...474#8655723474
Larger image: http://www.photobox.co.uk/my/photo/f..._id=8655723474

[anicatgirl]

That website does not allow us to view the images.

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...-Post-Pictures

I assume/hope you're talking 20's in the Celsius range....?

[LAscorpio]

Sorry about that - new here, as you'd guess. I'll get on with posting a photo right now.

And yes Celsius.

Thanks for the interest


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[LAscorpio]

Okay so here's the image:
(It's about 65cm x 40cm x 35cm)

[BenzieBox]

What are your exact readings? You say the hot spot is "okay" but what is the actual reading?
As far as your ambient: yes, get some sort of basking light or something to raise that temp. That's about ~68 Fahrenheit so that's very low.

[anicatgirl]

^ This. You can raise the temp in your home, that'll bring it up the most simply. But that's pretty low for an ambient (goes and converts numbers..... ... ... GAH! Math!!! ) 20C is 68F. You want at least 24C I would think, up to 27C, ish. Are you using the dials I see on the enclosure side to measure temps or humidity? Caaaause that's not good. Those are OK at best, but usually horrid at accuracy.

[LAscorpio]

Yeah I am - what would you advise then?

And the hot spot is about 30 degrees Celsius.

In terms of lighting - would you advise I get a day light and a night light?


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[LAscorpio]

And a cage for the lights right?


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[LAscorpio]

Oh and what do you think about infrared lights? Any good?

(Sorry for the bombardment of questions)


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[anicatgirl]

Digital thermometer/hydrometer. Umm. IDK what stores you would have... Walmart? You also should have your heat pad on a thermostat. Which would measure your hot spot and regulate it. Lighting is unnecessary. If it's in a room with normal lighting it won't be needed. Ambient 24-27, hot spot 32 ish. I use an infrared, but ceramic emitters can work well too. either on a dimmer. Yes, they would need a cage to keep snake from contacting it. I do have a thought. What's your home temp? You may be able to cover sides in foil to raise ambient a bit. Your tank won't be big enough for life, btw. And is the ship a hide too?