Help for a newbie - Python On Cold Side!

I think my big issue is how to maintain the 90-hot/80-cold temps.

Getting back to basics = My original understanding was that I needed a UTH for the hot side, 2 hides, a water dish, and substrate at minimum.
From what I understood, the UTH would help elevate the hot-side temps and, if needed, CHE or Bulbs could be used as a boost in reaching these temps.
This is what I was working from when setting up the tank.

So with that in mind, I have been using bulbs to get the air temps into the correct zones (my goals are 90-hot, 80-cold) and have not yet stopped using them. I knew the UTH heated the underside glass so as to provide belly-heat, but I thought it also served to heat the hot-side overall. Apparently I was mistaken. Instead of bulbs, I assume ceramic heat emitters would be better for maintaining ambient temps? I know they would help retain higher levels of humidity. I picked up a timer yesterday when I was at Lowes because I thought it would come in handy. Perhaps I could attach it to the CHE and set it to cycle off around 11pm or so, kicking back on around 4am. Then, since they don't produce light, I could just let the natural sunlight coming through the window next to the tank provide the day/night cycle (even though its not much) once I got the correct temps dialed in.

In any case, I have been using a probe to measure the temps of the hides, but I'm nabbing a temp-gun today that should be more accurate and easy to use.

Thoughts?

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Originally Posted by SandmansDreams

I think my big issue is how to maintain the 90-hot/80-cold temps.

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for ambient temps? an ambient temperature gradient is not necessary. i keep my ambient temps around 77-79° throughout the enclosure (i try to keep it around 80° but it's winter). as long as your ambient temps don't drop below 75° the snake will be fine.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SandmansDreams

Getting back to basics = My original understanding was that I needed a UTH for the hot side, 2 hides, a water dish, and substrate at minimum.
From what I understood, the UTH would help elevate the hot-side temps and, if needed, CHE or Bulbs could be used as a boost in reaching these temps.
This is what I was working from when setting up the tank.

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you're not wrong: the UTH is to maintain constant belly heat for regulation, bulbs/CHE help bump up ambient temperatures so it's not too cold.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SandmansDreams

So with that in mind, I have been using bulbs to get the air temps into the correct zones (my goals are 90-hot, 80-cold)

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i addressed the ambient gradient above

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SandmansDreams

I assume ceramic heat emitters would be better for maintaining ambient temps? I know they would help retain higher levels of humidity. I picked up a timer yesterday when I was at Lowes because I thought it would come in handy. Perhaps I could attach it to the CHE and set it to cycle off around 11pm or so, kicking back on around 4am. Then, since they don't produce light, I could just let the natural sunlight coming through the window next to the tank provide the day/night cycle (even though its not much) once I got the correct temps dialed in.

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100% correct and i would recommend the CHE (though i don't use one).

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SandmansDreams

I have been using a probe to measure the temps of the hides, but I'm nabbing a temp-gun today that should be more accurate and easy to use.

Thoughts?

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temps guns will give you peace of mind in knowing exactly what's going on; definitely grab one.

you're almost to perfection! woo!!!

If you don't use bulbs or CHE's, do you mind if I ask what you do use?

My BP was due for her first feeding today, but considering all the shenanigans I've pulled with her enclosure over the last 72hrs I think I'll give her an extra day or two to calm down before I try to dangle a mouse in her face :P

Again, I can't thank you enough for the help here.
It's been one helluva ride getting this set up accurately, and I'm FINALLY on the edge of being there! I can feel it! :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SandmansDreams

If you don't use bulbs or CHE's, do you mind if I ask what you do use?

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i use a space heater for the room they're in. it has a built-in thermostat so it's set for 76°; kicks on at 75° and shuts off at 77°.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SandmansDreams

My BP was due for her first feeding today, but considering all the shenanigans I've pulled with her enclosure over the last 72hrs I think I'll give her an extra day or two to calm down before I try to dangle a mouse in her face :P

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not a bad idea.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SandmansDreams

Again, I can't thank you enough for the help here.
It's been one helluva ride getting this set up accurately, and I'm FINALLY on the edge of being there! I can feel it! :)

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i was where you were at one point, too. we were all newbies at some point. it's exciting when everything starts dialing in, isn't it!? :D

Ordered the temp gun today and got a 100W CHE.

I replaced the daytime lamp with the CHE and moved the daytime lamp to the place where the night lamp used to be.
Right now the plan is to no longer use the night lamp at all and to only use the day lamp when needed to see inside the enclosure (the room it is kept in isn't very bright).
Meanwhile, I have the CHE now plugged into a timer - cycling off at 11pm and cycling back on at 4am.
I did all of the above tonight, misted the tank, then waited an hour or two, checked temps...temps have FALLEN 6 degrees on both sides, humidity levels are already rising (yay!)
I'm not too surprised as the lid was off with no ambient heat source for half an hour or so while I worked on getting everything in place.
I'll check the temps again in another hour or two before I hit the sack to make sure things are looking proper.
Really trying hard for that 90-50/80-50 mark, but good lord is it ever finicky, even with the proper gear!

The BP actually came over to the hot side for the first time since I got her and laid in the substrate outside of her hide with the upper 1/2 of her body over the UTH!! :D I'll take a victory where I can get it!
She laid there forever...several hours at least, not moving a muscle. After I got back from running some errands later this evening, however, she was right back up in the vines again, which is where she is as I write this.
My thoughts are that I need to give her some time to adjust and not rush her, let her take it at her own pace. She was obviously comfortable on the UTH today, at least for a few hours, and she has checked out the hides on several occasions, so I think I'm on the right track here.

I was too busy to snap pics tonight, but I'll grab a few in the morning and get them posted.
I have a client that is absolutely scared to death of snakes coming in the morning and it should be lots of fun seeing her face when she sees the tank! ;)

just keep monitoring, you're a few ticks on the dial away. 😀
seeing them settle down is always a plus, definite victory! i can't recall, but 3/4 sides are covered with dark paper/fabric yes? just another way to help security.
temp gun is going to help with the tiny adjustments for perfection.
you've done awesome for her!!! we'd love pics. don't be afraid to ask more questions if she's still having trouble.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SandmansDreams

I think my big issue is how to maintain the 90-hot/80-cold temps.

Getting back to basics = My original understanding was that I needed a UTH for the hot side, 2 hides, a water dish, and substrate at minimum.
From what I understood, the UTH would help elevate the hot-side temps and, if needed, CHE or Bulbs could be used as a boost in reaching these temps.
Thoughts?

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Sorry I missed this after we were talking.
What I meant about the UTH and a dimmer is for Belly heat only, not air temps. As long as your snake has 91 dergrees in either Belly or Air (ambient) temps then your ok. With that said now work on the cool side... 76-80 so they can regulate/cool themselves if they want. You can use the CHE/Heat Lamp ect..for a cool ambiant temp. For 10-20 Gallon tank use a 60 watt CHE. If you use a larger CHE you will need a thermistat/dimmer as you only want to get 76-80 temps for cool side.
Your BP is safe now with the UTH is at 88-91 and not burning him so relax and get your cool side dialed in when you can.
In the 1990's most of us only used heat mats & heat rocks and our BP's & Burms were fine. Not that we havent learned better ways now. My burm is almost 20 years old now and for the first 10 years all he had was a Heat Rock or UTH.

I have a 100W CHE on the warm side right now.
Should I use a dimmer even though its on the warm side?
So far it does not seem to be emitting as much heat as the day bulb did, but it is also night so I need to keep that in mind (cooler air temp).
I'll be measuring the temps again tomorrow during the day to get a more accurate reading.

Right now, at 10:44pm EST, I'm reading as follows;
HOT ~ 83 degrees
COLD ~ 77 degrees

The timer on the CHE will kick off in about 15 minutes which will cool it a little more than this.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SandmansDreams

Should I use a dimmer even though it's on the warm side?

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i would say yes. all sources of heat must be regulated.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SandmansDreams

Right now, at 10:44pm EST, I'm reading as follows;
HOT ~ 83 degrees
COLD ~ 77 degrees

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these are ambient temps, yes? if so those are good!!! the CHE is doing its job. yay!

A lot of people think baby ball pythons are insecure in a large space to a point, it's true that these snakes feel uncomfortable left in a wide open space. They're secretive snakes. But provide the smaller spaces within the large tank. Lots of hides, tons of cover with foliage and such. Your snake should be okay :). Get it a thermostat ASAP tho.


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