Question about uth and substrate

So I've read that you need to have about a 1/2" thickness of substrate or less when using an uth. If I'm planning on using Eco-Earth or the like, can I put about a 1/2" or less down where the uth is and then thicken the substrate where it's not? Kind of like a hill? Or would that be weird and I should just keep it 1/2" throughout the cage. :oops: Also, about uth, I put it on the side with the heat lamp, correct?

You can make a hill if you want but there aren't any benefits of a thicker substrate layer.

Yes you can put the UTH on the same side as a heat lamp (though this isn't how I would do it)

I would put the UTH on one side and the heat lamp in the center. The UTH which must be regulated by a thermostat will provide the basking temperature of 88-92 degrees. The heat lamp in the center of the cage will maintain the air temperature in the cage between 78-82 degrees. This way you can use a lower wattage bulb. A lamp dimmer for the heat bulb is a good idea so you can adjust the heat output.

Some snakes, even traditionally non-burrowing snakes will try to burrow in thick substrate. Nothing wrong with that of course, it can just make your snake harder to find. haha. Ball pythons especially will find a creative way to hide in and under anything you give them.

I agree with the serpent merchant about the lamp placement, their suggestion is exactly how i have mine. You don't want the lamp to heat the cool side, but you don't want it to super heat the hot side either. It should give off just enough heat to gently warm the air in the tank. My lamp is 75watt, only because my tank is deep. Lower wattage is better.

I see you live in Sac (I'm in Chico) so our climates are pretty darn close. I don't see myself needing the lamp once this rain stops and we finally have spring. Depending on how much you run your AC, a UTH (with a thermostat) could very well be all we need in the summer, with the lamp just a help in our freakishly cold north valley winters. :)

Ooh okay, I'll put the lamp in the middle. Yeah, I was wondering about our hot summers and if I'll need a lamp or not. We don't run our AC a ton, but some. We'll see, I don't think I will need it though.