I don't want to burn my snake or burn my apartment down ...

[kenatk]

I wasn't going to ask this because it is kind of a common sense thing but I figured "what the heck?" you have all been so nice so far (thank you ) I thought I'd share my concern and get it off my chest.

I have anxiety about the lighting set-up on Allister's terrarium. Allister has an under the tank heater, stuck to the side of the terrarium (on the warm side), and a 75 watt red phosphorous bulb, running 24/7 in one of those clamp lamp set-up's. It sits on the screen top, projecting light downward into the tank.

The heat and humidity is perfect but there's one small problem. I can't stop worrying about the lamp burning Allister, or falling down and burning my apartment, and the building I live in down to the foundation. That lamp gets really, really hot!

I like using the red bulb for him, he seems to like it too, he lays on top of his warm hide, where the lamp projects and just kind of hangs out, for a long, long time. I don't want to get rid of it, I just need a better configuration. Anybody use over-head lams? And if so, do you have any suggestions or pictures? My terrarium sits atop an old wooden tv stand. It really only has enough room for the terrarium on it ... and I am not much of an engineer most of the time. I could use a suggestion.

Thank you as always for your time.

[new2BP]

at first i used an IR lamp, then i went away from it because it sucks the humidity out, but then it was too humid so i am back to using it again. I just placed a 4 $ dimmer on it so i could keep it turned down.i find it easier to keep the ambient temp up as well. now what i did was placed a 3/4 " platform under my light so the light was about an inch from the screen. that way the snake, if it decides to try and climb towards it, it wont be in any danger of too much heat. i also dont have to worry about the light falling because it is laying ontop of the cage. the dimmer makes it so u can place your light directly on the cage and turn it down instead of placing the light a safe distance back because at full power its just way too hot.

[kenatk]

Thank you very much ... I was thinking about getting a dimmer, and it keeps sounding like a better and better idea. I'd like to devise a way for the lamp to remain above the screen, only have it held in place by something that wasn't sitting on the stand, that way the light wouldn't go anywhere if (God Forbid!) my cat Marzipan figured out a way to tip it over.

Sometimes I think too much ...

[new2BP]

if u cant afford the cash to fork out on a tstate like me, the dimmers are a great idea. i have one on both of my UTH's and one on my light. takes a while to get them dialed in to were they need to be, but as long as your room temps stay constant they work like a charm. oh yeh, most lamps have little screw holes so u can fasten them to the top of the cage in case your cat has a habit of getting on top of the cage. i just used a spray bottle and my cat learnt very quickly that it was a no no. good luck.

[rabernet]

Allister has an under the tank heater, stuck to the side of the terrarium (on the warm side)

First, welcome here, it is a great group of people, and you look like you're already becoming afflicted with the disease that many of us have gotten after aquiring a ball python - OCD! LOL

I wanted to clarify that quote above, to make sure I'm understanding correctly. The UTH is on the side of the enclosure, not under the enclosure?

Being relatively new myself (I got Kashmire in July) I hope I'm correct in saying that I think that really needs to be under the tank, so that Allister will have proper belly heat to digest his food.

Also, would highly recommend that you go to WalMart and pick up an AcuRite digital thermometer/hygrometer to measure your temps and humidity if you don't already have a digital one. The stick on dial ones are really worthless. I paid $12 for mine, and you can find it in the hardware section of WalMart.

This is what it looks like:


Because of where Kashmire's enclosure is located, I keep the UTH under his warm side, and I have a Flukers lamp with a 75W infrared bulb that I keep on the cool side to keep the cool side temps up to 82. Since I have a screen top, the A/C in the summer makes this lamp a necessity to keep the cool side warm enough. I simply set it on top of his screen top.

Welcome once again! You've found (IMHO) the BEST forum for ball python care!

[jglass38]

Just wondering, are the temps in your place extremely cold? What is the reason for having an overhead heat source? If your room stays in the 75-80 range, then the UTH will be sufficient. An overhead lamp just serves to suck the humidity out of the air in my opinion.

[rabernet]

Jamie,


Where his tank is right now, the A/C blows pretty close to there. I've been able to keep his humidity around 50 percent by keeping Glad Press & Seal on the top and when he goes into shed by moving his water dish over his warm side and misting twice a day. Being in a one bedroom apartment, suface space is rare to find to move him. But his temps with this set up are remaining constant between 90-92 on the warm side and 82-84 on the cool side.

[rabernet]

I meant to say that I bump his humidity up to 70% when in shed by doing those methods above.

[jglass38]

Sounds like the temps are fine and I understand if the AC is causing an issue. I personally would be nervous about a heat lamp in a room where another animal could possibly knock it over. I have a separate snake room and the heat lamp over my Uromastyx still makes me nervous! Thats just me though...

[rabernet]

I have two cats and a dog, the enclosure is on a desk, and the cord goes behind the desk. The cats are older cats, one never ventures into the living room, and the other has no interest in jumping on the desk (even with the mice that are kept in the Kritter Keeper there too).


The dog could care less about the enclosure, she's too busy watching the world go by outside during the day while I'm at work (or napping).

I do understand the concern though!