The lights in my tank...

Maybe they have different sizes at the store? :confuzd:

The Kritterz "Sauna Zone" heat mats are ultra-thin like that as well, and there are different sizes. I have one, and it's worked for me so far.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by rmune0750

:eek: WOW...thermostats are ridiculously expensive...I don't have that much money right now...:(

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Yep, it's not cheap to keep ball pythons. If you don't go ahead and invest in one though, your UTH's may very well be sending you to the vet with belly burns and will be much more than the investment you make in your snake. Your snake is worth it! :D

Just to answer the original question...it's NOT a good idea to leave the white light on all the time. While BP's don't need a specific time-clock or anything, they DO need a day/night cycle of light. Having light shining on them 24/7 would likely cause high stress and going off feed.

Absoloutely agree regarding the lighting , worst case if you have to use lighting for the moment only use 12 by 12 cycles DO NOT leave a light on continuous it will stress the snake out as has been stated.

Try Ebay for a cheaper alternative to the parts you require, borrow if you have to but its money well spent if you get the correct tools to do the job.

You should really get set up before you get a snake though in all honesty, I find it personally dissapointing to read people say wow thats too expensive whats a cheaper alternative etc etc.

If your going to buy a snake or own one give it and you a good start with teh appropriate husbandry set up and requirements and you will save your snake and you grief in the long run.

As has been said Belly heat is preferable to lighting by far.

I would implore you to try hard and find a way to get what these people are advising.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by rmune0750

:O WOW...thermostats are ridiculously expensive...I don't have that much money right now...:(

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If you can't afford a thermostat, go to Home Depot and purchase the Lutron 300 Watt White Credenza® Lamp Dimmer for $10.00. Plug the dimmer into the wall and the UTH into the dimmer. It allows you to control the flow of electricity to the UTH like a thermostat. It doesn't allow you to set an exact temp that you want, so it takes adjustments often.

It's what I just recently started using and I think it's great. Many on the board use it too.

http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/82/1626684gk7.jpg

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JPost

If you can't afford a thermostat, go to Home Depot and purchase the Lutron 300 Watt White Credenza® Lamp Dimmer for $10.00. Plug the dimmer into the wall and the UTH into the dimmer. It allows you to control the flow of electricity to the UTH like a thermostat. It doesn't allow you to set an exact temp that you want, so it takes adjustments often.

It's what I just recently started using and I think it's great. Many on the board use it too.

http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/82/1626684gk7.jpg

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really?? i dont understand how u regulate the temp if u cant set it at something...:confused:

The little circle thingy moves up and down to set it at a level

Quote:

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Originally Posted by rmune0750

:eek: WOW...thermostats are ridiculously expensive...I don't have that much money right now...:(

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Thermostats dont have to be expensive....if you want simple. Now if you want a night drop...well then it gets pricey.

http://lllreptile.com/store/catalog/...at-with-probe/

http://www.aaareptilesupply.com/merc...&Category_Code=

Or you could fry your snakes...

You can spend $70 on a Johnson Controls TStat which is an on/off type and it will work just fine for your one snake for years. Or you could spend $20 and possibly kill your investment.

I prefer not to have a *insert price here* fried snake, but that's just me. Even my normal babies are worth their weight in gold to me and they deserve the best of care, regardless of price.

I use both the JC units and a Herpstat 2 and my snakes are healthy, eat every week as scheduled and don't get fried by a badly built "thermostat". I'd trust that dimmer much farther than I would trust one of those ALife things.

yeah im prolly gonna get the dimmer cuz i have a home depot very close to my house...