Hey everyone.. Happy New Years Eve!

I've read a lot about heat source pros and cons, but I need a little advice.

We live in Ohio, so right now, the weather is cold and DRY. Keeping our young BP's tank the way it needs to be is a challenge, but one we are willing to take on. (If anyone has followed my other posts, this girls has given us a lot of challenges in the past several weeks. I have learned a LOT!)

I am having a hard time finding a happy medium with my heat and humidity. If I get one, the other falters.. period. And I just can't seem to get them both to where i need it.

We have a 20L tank, clamped screen lid. (I know, I know... but we just LOVE to look at her!) We have 3 sides insulated w/that reflexive insulation. The screen is also covered with the reflexive, aside from the holes we have cut out for her lamps, and about 1 1/2-2" on both sides for a bit more air flow.

We've tried plexiglass on top - and it just wasn't snug enough.

We've tried just one lamp, white bulb, white during the day, red at night, ... but nothing kept it warm enough until we put the two red lamps up there - One on the warm side (60watt) w/the UTH, and one on the cool side(40 watt).

I want to do away with the lamps all together, but the UTH just isn't doing it. I don't know if I need a BIGGER one, or just put one on the cool side?? We currently have a small zoomed UTH. What are your suggestions on UTH sizes and placement in a 20L?

What about these ceramic radiant heaters I keep hearing about? Are those a better option than the lamps? Do they suck up the humidity as bad as the lamps do?

And lastly, (i am so full of questions - it's hard to get them all typed out here!) About the thermostats - rheostats.. Do I need one for each heating element I have? I've seen them with a surge protector like attachment on them to plug in multiple items - but wouldn't that make each one have the same temp? I guess I'm just unclear on how to use them if we have more than one heating element in the tank.

Any help would be appreciated! Thanks!

-J

FYI- here are the links to my other posts.
http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...ad.php?t=57884

http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...ad.php?t=57817

http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...ad.php?t=57176