Uth

[vegeta]

This is my first ball python and I've come here for some help. I've done a lot of research, but I can't seem to find anything on this topic (that's helpful, anyways.)

I purchased an UTH when I got my python. My main concern is heating the bottom of the tank without harming my python. I'm using a glass terrarium for now, and I've read you cannot place the hide directly over the heat pad.

I've also read that ball pythons require a hide on both sides of the terrarium. I have two (plastic, I believe) hides I purchased at ReptiCon recently.

As a trial run (without my python inside the tank), I attached the heat pad to the bottom of the tank and taped the probe down directly over it. The temp raised to 96 within 20 minutes, and was raising fairly quickly, so I went out and purchased a rheostat to help maintain temps.

My question here I guess is if I'm able to place a hide over the heat pad and probe without things getting too hot.

If it helps any, I'm using cypress mulch and sphagnum moss as substrate.

I also have a red bulb over the warm side of the tank.

I'm planning on switching to a rack system, but for the time being this is what I'm working with.

[tttaylorrr]

thermostat. the way to control heat is a thermostat. you NEED to regulate ALL heat sources with something. there is no exception to this rule.

amazon sells a cheap Jumpstart brand thermostat, but that is a temporary solution: buy cheap get cheap, and they're known to fail (running full blast). get the Jumpstart and save up for a Herpstat brans thermostat. they're not cheap and will last you a lifetime.

could someone add links? on mobile. 😀

[KMG]

Do your research here. This is a constant topic and there are already several active threads on it.

With proper control placing the hide over the uth is not only possible but proper.

The substrate over the uth should be 1/4 inch at most.

Get a good thermostat. Herpstats are my choice. They are cheaper than vet bills.

[bpSpot]

My question here I guess is if I'm able to place a hide over the heat pad and probe without things getting too hot.

You can as long as you have a good thermostat. I was shocked to see how hot my UTH got (115+). But I keep a hide right above the heater. One on the cold side, and one in the middle.

[Flyheight]

I'd wager that if you read somewhere that for a glass tank you shouldn't put a hide directly on top of a UTH I'd say that was probably for a UTH that wasn't regulated with a thermostat. Even then I wouldn't call just moving the hide an ok solution because the snake could still get burned outside the hide.

The cheap thermostat:
https://www.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-MTP.../dp/B000NZZG3S

The good thermostat:
http://www.spyderrobotics.com/index....products_id=26

You're going to want the Herpstat2 as opposed to the 1 or intro. You could get a 4 or 6, but it's not necessary.
The point is you'll want to control the heat for both your UTH and your bulb with a thermostat.
The Herpstat2 is expensive, but you get what you pay for, it's good quality.

Check out this thread here for more information on how to set up a glass tank:
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...-With-Pictures!

Two modifications I'd make to the instructions here. One: note that the original post uses a lamp dimmer instead of a thermostat to control their bulb and while that may work for them it doesn't account for daily temperature fluctuations due to the sun and all that so to be safe I'd either get a second version of the cheap thermostat they have there or swap both thermostats for the Herpstat2.

Two: To adjust temperature gradient you may wish to have your heat lamp further to the hot side rather than in the middle of the tank, but really what matters is what works in your environment. If center provides appropriate temperatures for you then center is fine.

Those two modifications I mentioned are actually discussed in that thread, just a bit further along and I wanted to be sure I pointed them out in case all you read was the first post. I'd recommend reading the thread itself beyond the opening post because they discuss some other good pieces of information in there too.

I'll echo what everyone else has said too: so long as you have your UTH on a thermostat and you have it dialed in it's perfectly fine to put a hide directly on top of a UTH.