Temperature issue with CHE.

Hey everyone, two weeks ago I purchased my first ball python and I could’t be happier (even though he’s a really defensive/nippy baby).

Anyway, for my set up I originally bought just an UTH and set up with a thermostat set to 92°. This worked perfectly for my hot spot which sits between 90° and 94° at any given time. However, this did almost nothing for my ambient tank temperature which remained at 73°. I know this is too low for a ball python, so I went out and purchased a CHE and a lamp which has a dimmer switch. I figured I could turn the lamp on with the lowest setting and gradually turn it up until the cool side reached the desired temp. This worked and I got the warm side ambient temp to 88° and the cool side ambient temp to 80°. My only issue now is that the temp (measured with a digital probe thermometer) about an inch below the CHE at the top of the tank is 98°. Do you think this is a problem? I read that NOWHERE in the tank should ever be above 96°. But it’s not like he spends any time in this area. He is able to reach this area if he crawls up against the side of the enclosure, but he has only done this once while he was first exploring his tank and hasn’t done so since. Thank you for any replies. :)

P.S. All of the fidgeting with the temperatures/heating methods was done before I brought him home. It just occurred to me to measure the temp right below the CHE tonight.

The CHE is outside the tank, correct? As long as that is the case, there shouldn't be too much concern. Just don't place anything to climb on too close to that side so the noodle doesn't try exploring too much or wedging themselves in a corner near the heat. Like on the edge near the lid where there can be a burn risk

With the temp gradient you have tho, there shouldn't be too much reason to explore that area, but you never know. Some seem more curious than others.

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Originally Posted by Chris0445

Hey everyone, two weeks ago I purchased my first ball python and I could’t be happier (even though he’s a really defensive/nippy baby).

Anyway, for my set up I originally bought just an UTH and set up with a thermostat set to 92°. This worked perfectly for my hot spot which sits between 90° and 94° at any given time. However, this did almost nothing for my ambient tank temperature which remained at 73°. I know this is too low for a ball python, so I went out and purchased a CHE and a lamp which has a dimmer switch. I figured I could turn the lamp on with the lowest setting and gradually turn it up until the cool side reached the desired temp. This worked and I got the warm side ambient temp to 88° and the cool side ambient temp to 80°. My only issue now is that the temp (measured with a digital probe thermometer) about an inch below the CHE at the top of the tank is 98°. Do you think this is a problem? I read that NOWHERE in the tank should ever be above 96°. But it’s not like he spends any time in this area. He is able to reach this area if he crawls up against the side of the enclosure, but he has only done this once while he was first exploring his tank and hasn’t done so since. Thank you for any replies. :)

P.S. All of the fidgeting with the temperatures/heating methods was done before I brought him home. It just occurred to me to measure the temp right below the CHE tonight.

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I went through the exact same experience in the past. What I have found with the CHE is that if the ambient temp is that high on the hot side (88), the "basking area" on the surface underneath it got like 108 degrees! You need to measure that directly with a TEMP GUN/IR THERMOMETER and dial it in from there. Using it now with my KSB I have a hot spot of about 92-94 under the CHE, and that gives me ambients of about 82-78 Hot/Cold. When I was using it with my BP I set the hotspot under the CHE at around 90, and for me (about 70 degree room) that kept ambients at 81-77

Keep hot spot under 90f.

88-90f hot spot is ideal. Over 90f BP probably won’t use.

Gald you are using a thermostat. However, as stated, you must check ground temps with a temp gun.

DO NOT RELY on thermostat probes or air thermometers.

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Originally Posted by dakski

Keep hot spot under 90f.

88-90f hot spot is ideal. Over 90f BP probably won’t use.

Gald you are using a thermostat. However, as stated, you must check ground temps with a temp gun.

DO NOT RELY on thermostat probes or air thermometers.

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Brian Barczyk of BHB Reptiles keeps his ball python’s hot spots between 92 and 95. If it’s good enough for him, it’s good enough for me. My snake almost never leaves the hotspot except at night when he’s wandering around.

I use a temp gun, however they can only be used to measure the temperature of a surface. I’m talking about the air temperature directly below the CHE.

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Originally Posted by Chris0445

Brian Barczyk of BHB Reptiles keeps his ball python’s hot spots between 92 and 95. If it’s good enough for him, it’s good enough for me. My snake almost never leaves the hotspot except at night when he’s wandering around.

I use a temp gun, however they can only be used to measure the temperature of a surface. I’m talking about the air temperature directly below the CHE.

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95 is way to hot, but you believe whom ever you want, good luck with that. 88 is more then you will ever need. It been discussed on here numerous times by some credible people, that they only heat the room and never ever that high. As far as che’s, never been a fan (point that heat gun at the che and tell me the temp) talk about a humidity draining heat source. I use red ultra violet bulbs on dimmers, have for years. And as far as people saying they disturb the animal, well obviously no one told my snakes, lol. Good luck

My snake room is at 84-86. No other heat source other than ambient. I have zero issues. I stopped paying any attention to BHB a long time ago.