Is this acceptable for heat?

So, in my search for a proper heating system, I think I have an idea. Since my tank is large (55) and the top has two sections...I was thinking that I could keep a screen over the warm side with a lamp over it. I would keep the plexiglass over the cool side. Since humidity is no problem, the screen wouldn't do much damage there. I know under belly heat is preferable, but I don't have work until deeper into spring (I train horses). Please and thank you.

I don't really know why you have a 55 gallon for a ball python.. that is ridiculously large..

In order to heat that, you would need 2-3 UTH's or 2-3 Heat lamps. Ball pythons hide in hides, so they don't get the heat from the lamps as efficiently.. so they are virtually useless as a heat source. You need UTH's of some type.

I don't know how humidity won't be a problem in that large of a cage.

You could make a divider out of something and just heat a smaller area with a smaller bulb, and have a happier snake and a smaller electric bill. :)

a 55 gal is way to big, it will probably stress the snake out, balls like smaller enclosed spaces. and if heating is not going to be right that will just add more stress to the poor snake

I'm a little angry about everything I've been getting about how evil big tanks are. The snakes have Africa , I don't think a big tank when provided with plenty of hides is going to have them dying from the stress. The only other thing I have is a 20 high.

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Originally Posted by blackcrystal22

I don't really know why you have a 55 gallon for a ball python.. that is ridiculously large..

In order to heat that, you would need 2-3 UTH's or 2-3 Heat lamps. Ball pythons hide in hides, so they don't get the heat from the lamps as efficiently.. so they are virtually useless as a heat source. You need UTH's of some type.

I don't know how humidity won't be a problem in that large of a cage.

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I have a 55 gallon because I have a 55 gallon. Some guy I met gave it to me for free w/ stand because he had just got a 90g for his saltwater fish.

It's not that big tanks are 'evil'... though there are many here that think tanks of any size are a write off. :) No, it's that a 55gal is way too TALL to properly maintain the heat the way a snake needs it. I have my biggest girl in a 40gal and had to do some creative insulating to get the temps stable (which they are) because of the height of the tank.

Make sure you have UTH or flexwatt heat first, and if that proves to not be enough THEN add lamps. Snakes get their heat from heated ground, so lamps alone don't quite cut it for them. :)

Would my 20 high be better for the snake? No matter how much I'm going to hate wresting the 55 to the bottom of the stand, I will if I am doing any damage to my snake by having him in the 55. He is exactly 24 inches and 7 months old.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by blackcrystal22

Ball pythons hide in hides, so they don't get the heat from the lamps as efficiently.. so they are virtually useless as a heat source. You need UTH's of some type.

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Really?? So your saying that an RHP would be useless as a heat source?


Mike~

If you can keep your temps and humidity right, and your snake eating and shedding properly, then a 55 gallon will be fine. The issue is that it is difficult to keep heat and humidity right, and snakes will normally go off feed in such a large enclosure, because they do not feel secure.

If I were you, I would do your best to make sure your heat and humidity is the recommended range in the 55 gallon. If you are having trouble keeping these in the proper range, or you snake goes off feed, then move to a smaller tank.

Hope this helps.