How long will my setup last me?

Hey everyone, first post here. I just got my baby ball python about a week ago (90% sure shes a pastel), Ive taken care of plenty of tarantulas before but I decided to get a snake to switch things up for once lol. Right now I have her in a 30 gallon breeder with a 100W ceramic heater on the right side of the tank (stays about 90-95 degrees on that side and about 78-83 on the cool side) 2 hides, 1 on each side, UTH on cool side, 2 water dishes, and forest floor substrate. She seems happy, she ate an adult mouse without a problem yesterday and now shes hiding on the hot side of the tank. Is the 30 gallon breeder going to last or will I have to eventually increase the tank size?

Is your uth on a thermostat?!


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As I put in your last thread it can last (but that thread was hijacked and I do apologize to you for having that happened, it's not acceptable). Honestly however glass will be an uphill battle. As many of us have learned, PVC enclosures are a world of difference in the ease of care. You enclosure can last while your snake grows and you can save up for a 4 foot by 2 foot but about 15 inch high PVC for their forever home. You will not be disappointed.

As was stated, make sure every heat source is regulated. UTHs by thermostat and CHEs are well managed by at least a light dimmer switch to lower their heat output (they get well over 300 degrees on the surface).

Very common dimmer people use for CHEs is the Lutron-TT-300H-WH-Electronics-Plug-Dimmer. You can get these online from Amazon or at Lowes or Home Depot.

As stated in the other thread, it could work, at minimum, but I'd definitely recommend an upgrade, as ball pythons do benefit from being allowed to stretch out. With a taller setup you could also give them opportunities to climb a little bit, and that's always a plus. Having both length and some height for your snake is a good idea. SDA's recommendation of a 4x2 is a good one, and in all honesty, don't we want to provide the best for our animals, not the minimum?

As a side note, those hot side temps seem a little high, how are you measuring them? Are those surface temperatures or air temperatures? Are you using a digital or analogue thermometer?

I have 2 digital thermometers on each side of the tank closer to the floor (temporarily though, I know those thermometers arent the best but I had some leftover for now) I have a UTH from my old 10 gallon that I never used, currently on the cool side of this tank. I also have a Medium UTH but its unplugged until I figure out whats best.

If they are both unregulated by a thermostat unplug both. We have had two burns on snakes in the last couple of weeks. They MUST be regulated. No exceptions. All heat sources need to be regulated.

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Originally Posted by Smooondros

I have 2 digital thermometers on each side of the tank closer to the floor (temporarily though, I know those thermometers arent the best but I had some leftover for now) I have a UTH from my old 10 gallon that I never used, currently on the cool side of this tank. I also have a Medium UTH but its unplugged until I figure out whats best.

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You’ll want to get a thermostat for your heat sources, it’s not optional equipment.

Your 30gal will last quite awhile (assuming it’s a 30 long), up to around a year for your female, depending on how much you feed. But you can upgrade later on if you’d like to. When it comes to enclosure size over 3-4’ long, it’s more a matter of opinion, no bound rules.

Here are Amazon links to a jumpstart thermostat and a dimmer for a CHE

jumpstart

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000NZZG3S

dimmer

https://www.amazon.com/Lutron-TT-300.../dp/B0000BYEF6

Okay cool ordered the parts, unplugged the small UTH until they arrive (medium one was unplugged already). Ill just keep my ceramic bulb in as the only heat source for now until everything is set up perfect. Appreciate the responses