Ball Python Info...

Hey just a few questions and I seem to get a lot of different answers when I ask these so here goes nothin'...
::Pertaining to a baby Ball Python::
I've got the setup. I got a 40 breeder, Undertank Heater, Jungle Gym, Hide Box, Water Dish, Infrared Heat Light and Aspen Bedding... I was told today that using an undertank heater is a bad idea and so is using Aspen bedding because the snake can eat/ingest it. But I've also heard using an undertank heater with aspen bedding and a supplemental heat light like the one I have is a great setup for a ball python so any info either way would help.

Thanks. Appreciate it.

I personally think the uth is the way to go for tank setup's. But they work best when controlled by a rheostat or tstat (also to keep your snake from getting burned or the enclosure getting too hot. Also you should have some sort of a digital readout thermometer/hygrometer, $11 at walmart for an accurite, pretty popular unit. Let me find the glass setup sticky for you or maybe someone will chime in.

Aspen is fine. Cedar and pine should be avoided at all times.

The UTH is an excellent way to provide an area of extra warmth for basking...however, an UNREGULATED UTH can cause burns. Ideally, you would purchase a thermostat and set it to control the temps precisely where you want them. At the very least, you need to get a rheostat (dimmer switch) to plug it into. They make table-lamp dimmers that you can plug into just like an extension cord. Very simple to use and found at any hardware store.

Here's our caresheet for other excellent advice:
http://www.ball-pythons.net/modules....warticle&id=52

Welcome to BP.net! :handshake

Any help is appreciated.

Would a Repti-Temp Theostat work fine?

Yes but they are not that reliable to tell you the truth. I suggest proportional tstats, but there are other on and off units like ranco and johnson controls that are for sure a lot more reliable than the cheapo versionos, johnson and ranco setups dont run too expensive. But I love the helix!!!:gj: Hope this makes sense.

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Originally Posted by juddb

I personally think the uth is the way to go for tank setup's. But they work best when controlled by a rheostat or tstat (also to keep your snake from getting burned or the enclosure getting too hot. Also you should have some sort of a digital readout thermometer/hygrometer, $11 at walmart for an accurite, pretty popular unit. Let me find the glass setup sticky for you or maybe someone will chime in.

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i totally agree. i had three tanks and as long as you can regulate the heat from the heat pad that is way better. balls in the wild usually get their heat from the substrate you just obviously do not want to cook your animal.

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Originally Posted by V1L3 DiaL3cT

Hey just a few questions and I seem to get a lot of different answers when I ask these

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I couldn't agree with you any more! I've gotten so many different answers and information from other sources that it was enough to make my head spin. The members here are wonderful and will provide you with all the answers you could possibly need/want. All you have to do is ask.

I find myself spending more and more time on this forum and less and less time doing anything else. So, be careful, this place is very addicting and will consume a lot of your time! At least for me it is! LOL Wave goodbye to the rest of your life!