Questions From a New BP Owner

Here are some threads that you should read if you haven't already:

BP Caresheet: http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...ius)-Caresheet

How to setup a Glass Tank:http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...With-Pictures!

Cage Heating: http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...t-Thermometers

94 is a little warm for my tastes, I would shoot for 90 F hot side, 80 F cool side. As long as you are within 88-92 and 78-82 you are fine.

Nope you will not. If everything is fine without the lamp you do not need it. All they need is belly heat. So if temps and humidity are just right remove the lamp. Also get a surge protection power strip for anything you use for your tank. Just watch those temps until the thermostat comes in. Some balls might burrow and I'm sure its pretty damn hot on the glass above the UTH and it could burn the snake. Also if you are having humidity issues you can try cypress mulch bedding. Very good for humidity.

Alright, I'll turn her UTH off for a while and watch it. So, I am going to order the thermostat tonight. When I get it, I'll have to be setting it to a temperature, right? What should I set it to? And should my thermometer sensor be on the glass, in the bedding...?

Thanks for all the help, I did a lot of reading before hand but I still feel a little clueless. XD

If I were you, I would keep that lamp stashed somewhere until winter. I use both a UTH and a lamp and I live in the desert where temps hit 100 degrees daily. As for humidity, this is easily maintained with a bit of reading and effort... Again, desert and mine sits at 60%. <ok, it stressed me the hell out and I swear, Aaron is the only reason I have hair left.>

IMO, unless you are planning a collection, tanks are nicer and perfectly fine/ easy once you get them set up. They are also a LOT more visually appealing.

I only use the lamp when I need to pull up the ambient temps. I'm assuming once I turn on my heat for winter and its a more constant temp in my place I won't need it... it cools down at night.
Another option for substrate is eco earth... I just switched to that and love it for humidity

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Originally Posted by Vayra

Alright, I'll turn her UTH off for a while and watch it. So, I am going to order the thermostat tonight. When I get it, I'll have to be setting it to a temperature, right? What should I set it to? And should my thermometer sensor be on the glass, in the bedding...?

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Slide the probe for the t-stat between the UTH and the bottom of the tank - you may need to tape the UTH back up after inserting the probe. I set mine to 92*F at the probe, which should make the glass 90-91*F and on top of the substrate 88-90*F unless you've put in a really deep layer of aspen.

If you already stuck the UTH to the tank you will need to peel it off and place the probe from the thermostat on the center of the UTH. So basically its in this order... UTH / Probe / Glass. If your UTH wont stick right get some Foil tape and tape the UTH back to the glass tank. Don't tape the whole UTH just tape along the sides of it. After that set the thermostat to lets say 92 degrees. Place your thermometer probe in the substrate under the hide and place the unit itself on the opposite side of the tank. Give it some time and check the thermometer and see what the temps are. If it's to high or to low adjust the thermostat accordingly. The more bedding you have in your tank the higher you are going to have to set your thermostat.

Sorry, I asked a question when it was just answered.

Thermostat ordered and I think everything will hold until I can get that. I'll just keep a close eye on the temperatures until I can get the thermostat hooked up.

Do I have to buy Foil tape or will clear duct tape work? That is just what I have, so that's why I ask.

Hmm. I wouldn't use it. Not saying it wouldn't work but it's messy. It would most likely work to good. If you ever had to replace anything the bottom of your tank would be stuck with duct tape glue and your UTH would look like hell after peeling the duct tape off. I'm sure you can find foil tape pretty cheap at Lowe's or Home Depot.

Alrighty, foil tape it is.