Design My Tank

[Monty44]

I'm picking up another 20Gal tank (I think it's 20, the long one.) and I'm not sure how I want to set up/decorate it (that's where you [can] come in!)

I've only ever used heat lamps so I'd like to try something new like heat mats. The limit is $250 (not including the tank, $350 including it.)
I want my ball to be as happy as can be with the best interior that [my] money can buy! =)
It doesn't have to be very fancy; my current ball enjoys his paper towel roll and black T-shirt. Currently using Zoo Med Forest Floor substrate but I can get another kind.

Thanks a bunch!

[jmcrook]

If your room temps stay over 75 you could get a way nicer Animal Plastics T8 set up with flexwatt heat tape as a hot spot within the budget you've got. Make sure you're including a thermostat in that budget as well. If the room is cooler you could go with a radiant heat panel instead. Definitely worth looking into as it will hold heat and humidity way more efficiently than any glass enclosure



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[BBotteron]

If your absolutely stuck on a glass tank go to pet supplies plus they usually have deals on $1/gallon I picked up 2 10 gl tanks for $20 plus like $5 each for screens. That leaves you more room for a quality thermostat and heat mat (reptile basics is the best for your bucks bc the ones at pet stores are 40-50$). Since your on a smaller budget I use the jump start thermostats and I love them so far. Make sure you have 2 identical hides and a heavy water dish and substrate and whatever's left extra you can get some extra fake vines and branches to give your ball some more security. Oh and a temp gun is a good way to double check your heat mat inside temps where your ball will lay.


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[Monty44]

If your room temps stay over 75 you could get a way nicer Animal Plastics T8 set up with flexwatt heat tape as a hot spot within the budget you've got. Make sure you're including a thermostat in that budget as well. If the room is cooler you could go with a radiant heat panel instead. Definitely worth looking into as it will hold heat and humidity way more efficiently than any glass enclosure

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My room ranges from 68-74°F. I live in New York so it's either really cold or really hot outside. Have any links to a radiant heat panel you think would be best?
I'm sticking with glass tanks for now. When I get more bps I plan on getting a rack system to save space.

[Monty44]

Oh and a temp gun is a good way to double check your heat mat inside temps where your ball will lay.
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I'm not very familiar with heat mats. Do I get two of them to cover the entire floor of the tank? Does the substrate go on top of it?

[BBotteron]

You can do it 2 different ways a lot of people use only specific ambient temps and no heat mat. That way I have no idea the temps or any specifics.
With a heat mat you still have to keep your tank air temp 75-80* a heat mat stuck to the under side of your tank with a tstat probe between the heat mat and the glass still under the tank and then the temp on the glass directly above the heat mat on the inside should be around 90-92* then substrate then snake lol let me find the link and I'll post it out to set up glass tanks


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[BBotteron]

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...-With-Pictures!

And forgot to say 1 heat mat on the hot side. A lot of confusion is the hot side/cold side the cold side is the entire tank air temperature at ground level. The hot side is the heat mat under his hide


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[Monty44]

Ah, so with a heat mat I'd still need an overhead bulb? If that's the case I think I'll just stick with bulbs.

[jmcrook]

My room ranges from 68-74°F. I live in New York so it's either really cold or really hot outside. Have any links to a radiant heat panel you think would be best?
I'm sticking with glass tanks for now. When I get more bps I plan on getting a rack system to save space.

Any RHP for the most part is going to be too big for a 20 gallon glass tank. Check out reptile basics or pro products. You'll have to email Bob at pro products to get the specs on what panel he'd recommend, though I'm not sure he would recommend them for glass enclosures. I just figured I'd suggest the AP cage given your budget. It will last way longer and be far more durable and easier to maintain than glass but whatever works best for you and your animals is the best option. I used glass tanks in the past and once I made the switch to pvc enclosures the difference was like night and day.
With a rack basically your main option for heat is heat tape under the tubs which won't do much for ambient temps. Might want to look into an oil filled radiator to keep the room temps up when you eventually move to a rack set up.


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[BBotteron]

Yes unless your room temp still stays at least 75*. There's multiple ways of setting up a glass tank I just can't help you with overhead bulbs only. But I would recommend an rhp I see them a lot with little to no complaints. Personally I believe everyone just keeps the temps around 85* give or take but I'm sure someone more experienced with that way of setting up will chime in


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