UTH vs Lamps

Recently got my first snake. Bought the Zilla Starter kit. So I use two lamps; one is the regular white light (ambient) that I use during the day and the other is purple/night light that is a little bit lower wattage. I understand that BPs are nocturnal and therefore don't NEED a day/night cycle but it doesn't hurt. I also know that lamps suck humidity so that's why I've been misting etc trying to find the right combo to get the humidity just perfect.

After reading around I've heard more and more people talk about UTH and I was wondering if that really is THAT much better...I'm a college student so I don't have endless $ to be putting in (at least not all right now haha). Opinions? Advice?

Absolutely worth it. UTHs (belly heat) in general are more beneficial due to the fact that belly heat aides in digestion. Better digestion + proper humidity + and no annoying lights = healthy, happy snake. I only use a very low wattage lamp on a dimmer in the winter because my house is kind of drafty along with the UTH and thermostat. In the other seasons I only use a UTH with the thermostat and it is sufficient.

Yes much better, ball pythons benefit from the belly heat the UTH provides. The cheapest route you could could go is to buy an 11" piece of heat tape and an A life or Zoo-Med thermostat.

You would most likely have to buy these online. Most pet stores don't carry either.

Is it BAD for a snake though to have the lamps?

Also I have a 20-long tank, how big would the UTH need to be? (And where can I find a reasonably priced one, should I decide to go get one)

I'd get one made for a 20-30 gallon tank (most say that right on the label), and then get the hydrofarm thermostat from Amazon.com. It's only $26 with free shipping...it's much better than the cheap thermostats/rheostats that you find at pet stores.

UTH are more efficient they distribute heat better than lamp and there is also hardly any heat loss compare to a lamp.

Lamps will also dry up your enclosure which many people using tank already have issue with.

A 11x6 UTH like this http://www.reptilebasics.com/ultrath...ater-uth-6-x11 is plenty enough

A 12" piece of 11" flex-a-watt and a cord kit is all you need plus a thermostat and you are good to go:D

Belly heat is not needed for digestion that is actually a myth. That said belly heat is much easier to control and get right than lamps. They can be made to work but is isn't as easy. For any heat source you should have a regulator of some sort.

So as fall is setting in, I'm realizing how these lamps really aren't doing the trick. Dang starter kits!

So these UTHs (assuming they get mounted underneath the tank as the name indicates) how are they not a fire hazard?

generally even uncontrolled they do not get over 160ºF if a air space is used as per instructions then they just do not get hot enough. Regulated they are rarely allowed to get over 100º which isn't really that warm at all.