Okay, this is what I got

[BigDan35]

I'm preparing for a baby Ball Python. I want to set up it's enclosure before getting it though so I went to a few stores today and this is what I have so far. I would like some feedback from you experts, seeing as how this will be my first snake and I want to do things right....

What I got so far:

10 gallon glass tank with secure screen lid (20x10x12)

round water dish (about the length and width of a dollar bill and about 1 inch deep) The reason I got one so small is because I heard a lot of people on here saying that Balls rarely soak, so a large water dish isn't needed. Is the one I got okay? Or too small? And is 1 inch deep alright or should I go out and try to find a deeper one?

Acu-Rite digital thermometer/humidity reader

Repti-Therm under tank heater pad

Zoo-Med Eco Earth Coconut fiber substrate (the ones that come packed like a brick and you need to soak in water before using)

Can you guys give me feedback on everything I got so far? And what else do I need? I'm thinking about getting some sort of branch so it can climb on it if it wants. I also need 2 hides (I know I need one in the cool section and one in the hot section of the tank but do they need to be identical hides?)

Also...since I have an under tank heater, will I need an overhead heating lamp as well?

[tmlowe5704]

Depending on your ambient room temps, you may or may not need another heating element. What you do NEED is something to regulate that heater. A thermostat is your best best. A lamp dimmer can be used, but be sure need to exceed the max wattage. A dimmer is a lot harder to use because you have to put in time to tweak it and no matter what, that heat element will always get the same amount of power. A thermostat, while more expensive, is the easiest and safest way to go.

[BigDan35]

What do you mean when you say I need a thermostat to regulate the heater pad I got? I thought you can just plug the heater pad in then just unplug it whenever you need to?

I know the warm side of the tank should be 90 - 94 degrees and the cool side should be 80 - 84 degrees...what about at night though? Should these temperatures stay the same or should they cool down a bit?

[Sausage]

What do you mean when you say I need a thermostat to regulate the heater pad I got? I thought you can just plug the heater pad in then just unplug it whenever you need to?

I know the warm side of the tank should be 90 - 94 degrees and the cool side should be 80 - 84 degrees...what about at night though? Should these temperatures stay the same or should they cool down a bit?

They should stay the same 24/7 unless you're breeding. As for unplugging it when it gets hot, you're gonna have to be sitting in front of the tank all day if you want to keep the temp steady. They get very hot very quickly and cool down quickly as well. I would rather invest in a heap rheostat like the one here. I use one and have had no problems. The hides also need to be identical(I use these ,they are tighter fitting than shown in the pic); just make sure they aren't the little half log hides, they aren't very secure. Branches are optional, but not necessary. And no, if your temps are fine with the UTH, a lamp is not necessary.

[BigDan35]

They should stay the same 24/7 unless you're breeding. As for unplugging it when it gets hot, you're gonna have to be sitting in front of the tank all day if you want to keep the temp steady. They get very hot very quickly and cool down quickly as well. I would rather invest in a heap rheostat like the one here. I use one and have had no problems. The hides also need to be identical(I use these ,they are tighter fitting than shown in the pic); just make sure they aren't the little half log hides, they aren't very secure. Branches are optional, but not necessary. And no, if your temps are fine with the UTH, a lamp is not necessary.

I saw one of those at the store I was at but didn't look at it much. So you're saying that the under tank heater will heat up the "hot" side of the tank to more than the recommended 90-94 degrees and that is why I need a thermostat so when it reaches that temperature it'll stay the same temperature instead of continuing to get hotter and hotter? Or can the thermostat completely replace the under tank heater? Sorry, I'm a little confused...this is my first reptile ever.

Also, how do I regulate the "cool" side of the tank? I understand I can use a heater to "heat up" the hot side but what do I use to ensure that the cool side really is between 80 and 84 degrees

[Sausage]

I saw one of those at the store I was at but didn't look at it much. So you're saying that the under tank heater will heat up the "hot" side of the tank to more than the recommended 90-94 degrees and that is why I need a thermostat so when it reaches that temperature it'll stay the same temperature instead of continuing to get hotter and hotter? Or can the thermostat completely replace the under tank heater? Sorry, I'm a little confused...this is my first reptile ever.
Also, how do I regulate the "cool" side of the tank? I understand I can use a heater to "heat up" the hot side but what do I use to ensure that the cool side really is between 80 and 84 degrees

The heating pad plugs into the rheostat, which plugs into the wall. It has something similar to a dimmer switch on it, which controls your temps. It takes a little bit to adjust the knob to get the correct temp, but once you get it right, you[hopefully] won't have to mess with it anymore.

As for the cool side/hot side measuring it works like this: You put in/stick on(whichever you want) the digital thermometer over the cool side of the cage's substrate. You then run the little wire probe across the tank onto the warm side(I put it under the substrate directly onto the heating pad.) You read it like this.

I hope that clears some things up.

[tmlowe5704]

Those heaters can/will get over 100 degrees unregulated. Definitely not a good idea to leave it running full blast 24/7. If you decide to go with some sort of dimmer, go with a normal lamp dimmer from Home Depot. They are only like $10 as compared to the zoo-med dimmer which is $25

What are the ambient temps in the room? When I had my tanks in my room, it was around 75 degrees and the heat pad on the hot side was far enough over to get my cool side to 80. If your room is too cold, a second heat source with another thermostat or dimmer may be needed.

[BigDan35]

Alright, then I will get a thermostat as well.

Do you guys think the water dish I got is big enough? It's the length and width of a dollar bill and 1 inch deep?

Also...I bought the Acu-Rite digital thermostat/humidity reader. It only has one probe though. So how exactly do I set it up in the tank to read both the warm and cool side? Where am I supposed to put the probe to read both these temps?

[Sausage]

Alright, then I will get a thermostat as well.

Do you guys think the water dish I got is big enough? It's the length and width of a dollar bill and 1 inch deep?

Also...I bought the Acu-Rite digital thermostat/humidity reader. It only has one probe though. So how exactly do I set it up in the tank to read both the warm and cool side? Where am I supposed to put the probe to read both these temps?

Yep, that water bowl sounds fine. Let me get my camera and I'll do a quick photo walkthru for placing the probe and therm.

[BigDan35]

Yep, that water bowl sounds fine. Let me get my camera and I'll do a quick photo walkthru for placing the probe and therm.

Thank you.