125 gallon 6ft long tank

Hello all! I'm new here to this forum, it looks like a great place to get some good info!

My youngest son (13) has a Ball Python. His name is Zeke and we've had him going on three years now. We got my son for his birthday a new to us 6ft long tank. We've got it cleaned, and my hubby is putting on 3 hinged lexan (it similar but better than plexi glass) lids. He's working on latches right now.

Our problem is heating it. We are thinking 3 heat mats underneath. Two 11 x 17 and the other is the one under our currant tank, I think it's a medium size matt. We just don't know what to do up top for heat. Should we do a heat bulb. Or maybe heat lights? We are buying a thermostat for it. The tank will be in my son's room. It does not get alot of light in there, and we heat with wood in the winter. So by morning it could be about 65 in the bedroom. This makes me worry about the cool side of the tank getting to cool. Andy ideas would be great!

We are also not sure what we should do for ventalation. His currant tank is screen top. It just seems to let all the heat and humidy out. Hubby is thinking about just putting some vent holes at the cool end to force the heat to be drawn across the tanks. But we are only guessing.

Thanks in advance, I hope there is someone who is able to help.

You could maybe buy a heat light to have over the warm side and scatter hot mats on the cool side, so some of the cool is somewhat warm. Also, what bedding do you use? Some holds in more heat than others.

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Originally Posted by lakiki

Hello all! I'm new here to this forum, it looks like a great place to get some good info!

My youngest son (13) has a Ball Python. His name is Zeke and we've had him going on three years now. We got my son for his birthday a new to us 6ft long tank. We've got it cleaned, and my hubby is putting on 3 hinged lexan (it similar but better than plexi glass) lids. He's working on latches right now.

Our problem is heating it. We are thinking 3 heat mats underneath. Two 11 x 17 and the other is the one under our currant tank, I think it's a medium size matt. We just don't know what to do up top for heat. Should we do a heat bulb. Or maybe heat lights? We are buying a thermostat for it. The tank will be in my son's room. It does not get alot of light in there, and we heat with wood in the winter. So by morning it could be about 65 in the bedroom. This makes me worry about the cool side of the tank getting to cool. Andy ideas would be great!

We are also not sure what we should do for ventalation. His currant tank is screen top. It just seems to let all the heat and humidy out. Hubby is thinking about just putting some vent holes at the cool end to force the heat to be drawn across the tanks. But we are only guessing.

Thanks in advance, I hope there is someone who is able to help.

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First Welcome to the group :) .Now that tank is way to large for the ball python and more then likely its going to stress your snake out.Ball pythons prefer small tight places and get scared in large open places.You will be unable to keep your temps and the humidity levels at the proper levels as that tank is to large.At this time i have my breeders in a 41qt rack and they love it and feel safe in it.I have pics if you would like to see them.Last you are going to waste alot of money trying to heat that tank and unneeded stress on you and the snake.

Here is the 41qt rack pics. http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a1...s/41qtrack.jpg

Here is proof they feel safe enough to breed. http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a1...runo122006.jpg

Thanks for the replys already! We are using a fir bark, that he mists as needed. I do realize it is big! He does have lots of hides`and plasic plants, a water bowl, water fall, and logs for hiding and climbing. So we are going to give this one a try. We'll hang on to the other one just it case he doesn't do well. Thanks for telling me though. We will definately keep on eye on him. He's an awsome pet! Very social and a great eater.

If you want to just do belly heat, go with Flexwatt on a thermostat. It is so much cheaper than having to buy that many UTH.

You might want to talk to a seller of flexwatt, and they can help you figure out the best way to set up heat using it. Flexwatt heat tape with a thermostat to control the temps sounds like a good route to me.