Got a new Aquarium. How should i heat?

I just got a new aquarium its a 37x12x21. Any ideas on how i should heat this thing. I have an under the tank heater, a 50w basking bulb, and a daylight buld, also have a couple spare basking bulbs. and does anyone know if you can get a florescent lamp that would help heat?

thanks

I personally dislike aquariums as cages because they don't hold heat very well. But since that's what you already have, what I would do would be to use just a heating pad/mat or heat tape on one side of the bottom. Put a section of foam insulation under the glass so that the heating element is sandwiched between the insulation and the bottom glass of the aquarium (this will help direct the heat up through the glass and keep the bottom insulated so it doesn't cool down so quickly) Position your thermostat probe either directly on top of the glass inside the aquarium underneath the substrate or on top of the heater under the glass so that it's sandwiched in between the bottom glass and the heating device. This way you'll know it can't get hot enough to burn your snake if they burrow down under the substrate. Set the temp to the mid to high 90's so that the temp on top of the substrate stays about 90 degrees. This should be all the heat you need. I also dislike bulbs for heat as I think they dry out the air too much and will cause bad sheds.

I have 2 snakes both in aquariums..... and I couldn't be more distraught! I HATE them! I am going tub hunting tomorrow because I just can't take it anymore! The humidity is never right, its hard to heat in the winter and having see through walls seem to make my babies really nervous so they are always rubbing their poor little noses. I know you just got it but I will tell you right now it is a BAD choice. If you really love your little snakies you will get some fish for the aquarium and some tubs for your snakies! I'm rootin for you! and have got my fingers crossed that you will make the right choice!:gj:

Insulating the back and sides of any tank takes care of at least 60% of the heating problems...usually. Also, insulating the screen with the foil treatment helps with most of the remaining temp problems and stabilizes humidity...again, usually. There will always be those who try everything and still just can't get the tank to work for them. I'm just saying it IS possible to get a tank to work beautifully.

21" sounds a bit high...or are you stating lxhxw? With 21" of height, you'll have a harder time trying to get the heat to stay near the floor where it belongs. :) Under tank heating is preferred, so it's good that you have a pad already. it should cover 1/4-1/3 of the tank floor to be effective.
Usually, to keep temps at the right levels all you need is the UTH and a controlling device, preferably a thermostat. Lamps are only really good for boosting ambient temps and viewing, since they suck the humidity out and the heat from them rarely reaches the floor, especially in a tall tank.

If the pad you have doesn't give you high enough temps, it could be a pad meant for small animals (that only get up to 85), it could be defective, or you could have too much substrate in the tank. Test any pad by plugging it right into the wall with NO snake in the tank and use the probe of the thermometer right on the pad to monitor the rising temps. Most pads should reach 120 easily. This is why you need a t-stat. :)

Run your tank with everything in it but NO snake for a few days to see where temps and humidity settle, then go from there adding or subtracting until you get a good steady range.