How many air holes

[Nathan7004]

I just bought a new tub for my ball python and drilled quite alot of holes. But how much is enough? there are holes on the lid and on the sides of the tub.

[Nathan7004]

Also, i cant seem to get thr temps up. My thermometer is reading 84 and it wont go higher. My dimmer isn't all the way up, its almost there though. i guess ill have to bring it to the max

[bcr229]

What kind of thermometer and what heat appliance are you using?

[Nathan7004]

Its a zoo med thermometer and im using a hat pad hooked up to a dimmer. I had always maintained my temps at the 88 to 90 mark but now with this new tub its not that easy. Could it be because of thicker plastic? The bedding in over the heat pad is warm to the touch though. Could it be that i need a new battery for the thermometer?

[bcr229]

You need to measure the temperature of the tub over top of the UTH, either with an IR thermometer or heat gun. If the substrate feels warm to you then the bottom of the tub is probably too hot for your snake to lie on comfortably.

A UTH is not supposed to heat the air in the tub, just the surface where your snake lies.

[Nathan7004]

Yea exactly, im gonna have to see if my thermometer is faulty

[Sauzo]

Also drilling holes in the top of the tub will let a lot of heat and humidity out fast. You really want to drill the holes in the side about an inch or so down from the top. And only start with a few holes and let it stabilize and add more as needed. Much easier to drill a new hole than to try and cover ones up. And as mentioned, you want to take the temp from the bottom of the tub, not the substrate. The snake can and will push the substrate aside if it needs more heat.

[Darkbird]

Quick and easy way to put a fix on those extra holes if needed. Get some blue painters tape, and use it to cover the holes in question on the inside of the tub. Then just fill the holes from the outside with hot glue. Overlap the holes just a bit to help the glue stay put. When the glue is cool, just peel off the tape and you should have a nice smooth patch. You could probably even use aquarium grade silicone, but I haven't tried that. Nice part with the hot glue is it's an easy fix if you ever do manage to knock out a hole again.