Help with raising ambient and cold side temp?

[GiddyGoat]

Hello! I'm a new ball python owner and I seem to be running into a problem with the ambient temperature in my terrarium. It never goes over 73, which is too cold for a ball python (or so I've read). My hotspot is good,usually around 87-90, but the cool side and ambient temp are too cold. Humidity is also fine, usually in the upper 50's (57-60). The only heat source I'm currently using is a Zoomed UTH (yes, it's connected to a thermostat don't worry about that either :).

I am currently an Exo-Terra 36x18x18. Yes, I am aware heat and humidity are harder to maintain in a glass terrarium with a screen lid but I do not plan on changing terrariums any time soon. Maybe in the future, but not now. So, I need solutions to this problem that apply to glass terrariums.

Ive thought about using a CHE. Would this be okay? If so what wattage, and is a dimmer or t-stat better?

And just so nobody gets nervous, I do not have the snake yet. I'm waiting until the conditions are right within the terrarium.

Thanks a bunch!

[KevinK]

Ceramic heat emitters are the BEST I've found for glass enclosures. A 60 watt ceramic running wide open would yield a perfect 90 degree hotspot and 80 degree coolside on a 20 gallon long aquarium for me running at your same room temp...that's the only advice I can give in that regard, make SURE you get a spare though as they do fail occasionally however.

You may want to consider covering the top of your enclosure with plexiglass (lexon) except for a few small vent holes to hold your humidity once you start using one though. Cut a larger diameter hole in the plexi to clear your lamp fixture that holds the che. It depends how much humidity is in the climate where you live but che's will dry out the enclosure faster.

[GiddyGoat]

Ceramic heat emitters are the BEST I've found for glass enclosures. A 60 watt ceramic running wide open would yield a perfect 90 degree hotspot and 80 degree coolside on a 20 gallon long aquarium for me running at your same room temp...that's the only advice I can give in that regard, make SURE you get a spare though as they do fail occasionally however.

You may want to consider covering the top of your enclosure with plexiglass (lexon) except for a few small vent holes to hold your humidity once you start using one though. Cut a larger diameter hole in the plexi to clear your lamp fixture that holds the che. It depends how much humidity is in the climate where you live but che's will dry out the enclosure faster.

awesome! Thank you so much for the info I really appreciate it! Currently all I have on the top is a towel, but I will definitely consider this! My household humidity is around 50%. May I ask though... What does wide open mean? I'm still kinda new to all of this, sorry haha.

Also, is it safe to use the CHE with the heat pad? Or should I ditch the heat pad entirely?

Thanms again for for the reply, I appreciate it very much :3

[tttaylorrr]

as long as both the UTH and CHE are regulated they will be safe to use together. keep the UTH.

wide open means the device running at full power, using all the electricity it can.

i have a 20gal (~24x12x~20in? i'm guessing here) and use a 100W CHE on a rheostat for my ambient temps. this works well for me.

[KevinK]

I would continue to use the heat pad. Using it isn'the going to hurt but only help.

When I was using che's I would take a 60 watt , then screw it into a reptile lamp fixture with a simple on/off switch on the cord (the fixture designed to use heat bulbs with the white ceramic top) , then I would take and set the fixture directly on the metal screen top. However, I think a dimmer would be a good idea in case this would be too hot for some reason for you.

The towel could be a potential fire hazard while using the che, lexon is pretty fire resistant but you still want to give your lamp fixture clearance from it and you want to set it on the metal screen top, not the lexon itself. Continue to use the towel if needed but watch it CLOSELY and give it space from the lamp fixture.

Edit: I think Taylor'S idea of a 100 watt with a rheostat is a good idea. Your enclosure is bigger than a 20 long that I was using, so you'll need more power.

[Randall L Turner Jr]

When I was using exo terras, I wrapped them in reflectix insulation (it is bubble wrap insulation that is lined with foil) it helped hold temps in the enclosures.

[GiddyGoat]

Wow thanks guys, I can't thank you enough! You've solved a problem I've had for a week in a single morning. This is awesome.

I will be sure to pick up some Lexon then, I don't want a fire. I guess I'll also run to home depot and get a dimmer as well- unless you guys recommend a one made secifically for reptiles (if so specific brands and models please). Also are dimmers and rheostats the same thing, or are they different? Again, still new to all of this.

Heat mat stays! Yay haha. I was like, "oh no did I waste a heat mat?" Lol.

Guess ill be running to a couple stores to pick up everything I need then! Is this list good?:
-100 watt CHE
- rheostat/dimmer (?)
- Reptile lamp fixture
- sheet of lexon

[tttaylorrr]

Wow thanks guys, I can't thank you enough! You've solved a problem I've had for a week in a single morning. This is awesome.

I will be sure to pick up some Lexon then, I don't want a fire. I guess I'll also run to home depot and get a dimmer as well- unless you guys recommend a one made secifically for reptiles (if so specific brands and models please). Also are dimmers and rheostats the same thing, or are they different? Again, still new to all of this.

Heat mat stays! Yay haha. I was like, "oh no did I waste a heat mat?" Lol.

Guess ill be running to a couple stores to pick up everything I need then! Is this list good?:
-100 watt CHE
- rheostat/dimmer (?)
- Reptile lamp fixture
- sheet of lexon

yes, a rheostat and dimmer are the same.

make sure the dome/fixture has a ceramic socket, as other types don't work with a CHE and can cause issues.

[KevinK]

My final word of advice, I would cut two 1 inch holes on each end of the lexan for ventilation (total of four holes), then the large circle cut to clear your lamp fixture. That worked perfectly for me.


Edit: I've been calling it "lexon" this whole time....it's actually "lexan"

[GiddyGoat]

yes, a rheostat and dimmer are the same.

make sure the dome/fixture has a ceramic socket, as other types don't work with a CHE and can cause issues.

Okay thank you! I'll be sure to look for that specifically. So will a dimmer from the hardware store work fine then? Sorry if this is getting repetitive I just don't want to mess up and potentially injure my new companion.

new list:
-100W CHE
-Dimmer/Rheostat
-reptile lamp fixture WITH ceramic socket
-sheet of lexan**** (lol)

- - - Updated - - -

My final word of advice, I would cut two 1 inch holes on each end of the lexon for ventilation (total of four holes), then the large circle cut to clear your lamp fixture. That worked perfectly for me.

Awesome, will do!