Ambient Tank Heat

Ok, Got the humidity the right level, got the UTH properly setup, now I have one more thing I need to figure out. How to get ambient temps up. The ambient temp on the cool side is 72. Way to cold for a ball python. That is with the day lamp on. I have the top done with the aluminum/cardboard treatment, so not much heat is leaving that way.

Any suggestions? I need help.

Nixie

Insulate the sides ofthe tank to help hold in heat. Also increase room temp the snake is in.

Thank you for the suggestions. I will look into insulating the sides of the tank. Unfortunalty I cannot turn the heat up in the room she is in, as it is my bedroom, and 80 would be to hot in my bedroom (that would make the front room like 90...and we would roast :)) )

Would I use Mat board/foam core, fabric, cardboard? What type of substance for insulation?

Thanks
Nixie

Use some sort of foam to insulate the sides.

you can also look into a small space heater to keep room above 75f which in turn keep your cool side at 80 with using a heat lamp

Quote:

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Originally Posted by nixiefee

Would I use Mat board/foam core, fabric, cardboard? What type of substance for insulation?

Thanks
Nixie

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I have always used the Elmers foam project board that kids use from Wal-Mart and places like that it comes in like a 3foot by 3 foot sheet I think

Foam core board will help.

75* is the absolutely minimum temperature that your snakes tank should be at. As long as it is above that, you should be fine.

You might think about getting a second UTH or a very low wattage bulb for the top.

Update:

Here is what I have now. Got both lights on (day and night), got the UTH on a dimmer switch (until I can get a thermostat), and here are what my stats are showing.

Ambient: 77.5
UTH: 86
Humidity: 55%

This is on an accurite thermometer/hygrometer attached to the back of the enclosure. I am planning on insulating the back and sides with Foam Core as soon as I can get some, as I would like to get ambiant temps to 80.

So what belly temps should I be shooting for, the thermometer probe is under the substrate (repti-bark), on top of the glass of the enclosure, so glass temps are what are being measured. Also, what humidity should I be shooting for as well. I know it needs to be in the 75% - 80% range for shed, but how about normally?

I have looked at many different care sheets, and they each say something just a tad different, so want to ask the experts :)

Thanks
Nixie

i normally keep my humidty around 60 during normal times. when she had an RI the medicine dehydrated her so i kept it up around 80.

your UTH is a little low, plus you have a layer of repti-bark on top of it. I use newspaper and I look for my belly heat to be in a range of 88 to 92 , you need to go on the high end with the substrate you are using and depending on the thickness. around 94 for your setup might be a good starting point. If he digs down where the belly heat is then I wouldn't go no higher than that and you might have to drop it a little. belly heat that is too high will metabolized the food too fast in your snake plus other things.

When you raise the belly temp the ambient temp should come up some, so recheck it, hopefully it's around the 80 mark.

Humidity is hard to measure correctly with cheap equipment. I also use the cheap equipment to give me some sort of a guideline. your best indicator is when your snake sheds. good luck don

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by nixiefee

Update:

Here is what I have now. Got both lights on (day and night), got the UTH on a dimmer switch (until I can get a thermostat), and here are what my stats are showing.

Ambient: 77.5
UTH: 86
Humidity: 55%

This is on an accurite thermometer/hygrometer attached to the back of the enclosure. I am planning on insulating the back and sides with Foam Core as soon as I can get some, as I would like to get ambiant temps to 80.

So what belly temps should I be shooting for, the thermometer probe is under the substrate (repti-bark), on top of the glass of the enclosure, so glass temps are what are being measured. Also, what humidity should I be shooting for as well. I know it needs to be in the 75% - 80% range for shed, but how about normally?

I have looked at many different care sheets, and they each say something just a tad different, so want to ask the experts :)

Thanks
Nixie

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I agree, you should have a hotspot of at least 90*F. 86* is a bit too cool.