Heating a Rubbermaid container for BP

I have a glass tank and heating is never a problem as there are many options...my corn snake is happily living in that...

i have a new ball python since 2 days and she has been living at 76F warm temperature which i know is not good enough...

My questions:
1. I have her in a Rubbermaid #2221 - what heating mat/pad should i use?
2. Is it mandatory to have a thermostat ? if yes, any recommendations?
3. How should the set up be? As in, do i need some space between the heat mat and the bottom of the container? etc...

pls help
thanks

Kumar
1 corn 1 BP

signature test....pls ignore this

1. I am not sure how big that tub is but you will need a heat mat that covers 1/3 of the floor area of the tub. Mount it to the outside of the tub using aluminum foil tape (found at the home depot).
2. Yes, they are mandatory. The reptitemp 500r is the cheapest model at about $25. Unfortunately, they are hard to find in stores and you will most likely have to buy it online.
3. You don't need space between the heat map and the container, but you do need space between the heat mat and whatever surface it is sitting on. Most UTHs come with little rubber stoppers you can use to prop the tub up. You only need a small space for some air flow. You should have two identical tight fitting hides and a water bowl in the tub.

hope this helps :)

You can use a dimmer, but a thermostat is alot better. I've been using a dimmer, if I wasn't home all day though, I would've bought a thermostat a long time ago. Dimmers require you to check in on the temp almost every hour, so unless you're able to do that, get a thermostat.

I just ordered mine off this website, which has a pretty good price and they even add discounts.

http://www.bigalsonline.com/StoreCat...its=12&offset=