lighting question

i have my 4 foot male BP in a 65 gallon freash air habitat. i have gone through hell and high water to get this damn thing to heat up. i have three lights, 1 red, 1 basking and a ceramic heat lamp. i also have an under tank heat mat that covers half the cage but i cant get the highest temps over 89-90 and i think it may be stressing him out! any suggestions (other than get rid of this 65 and buy an actual glass aquarium) i spent alot of money setting this thing up and the temps were fine before actualy i got a snake to put in it. i dont know what happened!!!!

What is the "fresh air habitat" made of? mesh?

Mesh indeed.

You'll not be able to maintain temps or humidity in that without monumental struggles that would involve making the entire room stable in temps/humidity - and even then you would lack a thermal gradient. I hate to reccomend it but I'd ditch that setup and go with plastic (orglass if you must).

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Originally Posted by Smulkin

What is the "fresh air habitat" made of? mesh?

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That's what I was wondering. If so, I'm surprised it held heat before the ball was ever introduced to it.

Keep in mind that holding in heat isn't the only important thing, it must also be able to maintain a relative humidity as well (60%). A mesh type habitat (assuming that is what "fresh air" means...) in my opinion would be one of the least suitable habitats for a ball... specifically because it can not hold in heat or humidity and will equalize both factors according to the room it is kept in.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Smulkin

Mesh indeed.

You'll not be able to maintain temps or humidity in that without monumental struggles that would involve making the entire room stable in temps/humidity - and even then you would lack a thermal gradient. I hate to reccomend it but I'd ditch that setup and go with plastic (orglass if you must).

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Haha... beat me to it... oh well. :P

Right-o Issh. They're great for Chameleons too!

Unless you're going to heat the room, you're not going to have a lot of luck with a mesh cage for a ball python. It's like trying to keep a gold fish in collandar.

Plastic/PVC cages designed with low ceilings specifically for reptiles do a much better job of holding in greater amounts of heat with far fewer electical devices.

Glass fish tanks are real good for keeping fish!!! :D

-adam

thank you everyone now i need to find someone to buy the cage! i have my other two in "Critter Cages" and are doing well so i will prob. buy another of those. i also have a 55 gallon aquarium he may stay in for now until this gets sold. so.....urm.....anyone with a lizard want a big cage?