How to heat better

Hey Y'all!
I am going to move my ball python into a Sterilite Plastic Container soon, and needed some advice. If I am using a heat mat (Zoo Med) as my only source of heat (It is 1/3 the size of the container), how should I place my aspen to allow the most heat to reach the top. I want to put 1 layer of paper towel on the bottom of the container (to prevent burns) and then lay some aspen on top. How much aspen should I put so that enough heat goes from the heat mat, through the container bottom, through the paper towel, and onto the top of the aspen so that the aspen reaches temps of higher than 85 degrees Fareighnite.
Thanks,
HenryTheSnake

You really don't need to use aspen- you can only use the paper towels, if you want. It's easier to monitor and maintain the surface temps.

If you really want to use aspen, just don't use a thick layer. I spread a thin layer around the enclosure. I barely sprinkle aspen over the hot spot, so that there's always a consistent temperature, and I don't need to worry about "temps on top of the aspen" vs "temps against the heat mat".

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Originally Posted by HenryTheSnake

Hey Y'all!
I am going to move my ball python into a Sterilite Plastic Container soon, and needed some advice. If I am using a heat mat (Zoo Med) as my only source of heat (It is 1/3 the size of the container), how should I place my aspen to allow the most heat to reach the top. I want to put 1 layer of paper towel on the bottom of the container (to prevent burns) and then lay some aspen on top. How much aspen should I put so that enough heat goes from the heat mat, through the container bottom, through the paper towel, and onto the top of the aspen so that the aspen reaches temps of higher than 85 degrees Fareighnite.
Thanks,
HenryTheSnake

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A layer of paper towel will not prevent burns or fire hazard the only thing that does is a RELIABLE Thermostat.

I am using a Hydrofarm Jump Start thermostat. Of course, I prefer that he doesn't come into contact with the plastic floor just in case I am very aware that he could still find his way into direct contact, but with a combo of a thermostat and the paper towels, I don't think a burn is very likely. And the reason I don't want to use all paper towels is because then he could easily find his way under them, and possibly get burned.

He wont get burned if your heat source is regulated to less than 95 degrees.

Like an idiot, I didn't think of that....
You make a great point!
Should I just use 1 layer of paper towel, and a 100 degree heat source? (The reason I say 100, is because I have a glass tank). The only problem (until I switch to plastic) is that if he pees on it, he might crack the glass.

Wont crack the glass.
Get a no contact thermometer to spot check temperatures.

Even if you layered a paper towel under aspen, a snake could wriggle their little butts under the edge. The best laid plans of mice and men, remember. Not to mention the extra layers would mean you'd need extra heat to get the surface at your target temps.

He'll dig past the paper towel. Abigail decided she didn't like her soiled paper towel this morning and bunched it all up on one side of the tub, then sat on top of her hide till I came and cleaned up after her. They will do what they want, when they want.