New bp owner.

I have been out of snakes for a long time, and recently fell in love with a Ball at my local pet store. So after a huge fight with my wife LOL I brought "it" home :D I have never owned a BP, I took temporary care of a Tic and a Burmese almost 2 years, was great and got me hooked. Now they were large snakes but great (with me) they didn't care for there owners.

We have named our new ball, Diablo :D Sofar "it" is adjusting very well to the new home. Fed F/T fuzzy on Saturday like a champ !!

Now here is where I am struggling.

I can't seem to get an accurate Humidity reading... On the hot side digital reading says 40% on the cool side its 55% I have adjusted the tank and moved the pool over closer to the light and soaked the driftwood (Misting) Should I axe the 150 watt light and get a UTH ?? The tank is way larger then what a baby needs its 36x18x16

I am awaiting an Albino and am really interested in a Morph Just have to convince the wife haha


Any feed back is appreciated

Thanks

http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg17/...jpg&res=medium

http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg221...jpg&res=medium

150 watt light is definitely killing your humidity,Along with the open top tank. UTH is a great idea hook it up to a thermostat, and you will be good to go

Thanks Rob, I'll look into getting one this afternoon.

what size should I get ? Enough to cover just the Hot side ?? Or a 12x12 ?

Welcome to BP.net!

For selecting a UTH to go under a glass tank, pick one that covers about 1/3 of the total area of your tank's footprint. A UTH is a good way to give a warm side hide some belly heat, but it really won't effect your ambient tank temp much. Always put a UTH on a thermostat since they can get hot enough to cause burns through the glass.

Good luck! I think you'll find ball pythons fairly easy to keep once you get the hubandry down.

^^^ yup, a good idea to keep your ambient temp up for his "cool" side is a little space heater.

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Originally Posted by Rob

^^^ yup, a good idea to keep your ambient temp up for his "cool" side is a little space heater.

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Space Heater ?

The Tank is located above a Baseboard heater, Unfortunately Diablo live's in the basement. The one who does my laundry will not allow him to be upstairs haha

Could I not go to a smaller infrared bulb ? with the UTH

I'm no expert but after getting a UTH, thermostat, probe themometer, and hydrostat, I was still having trouble getting the humidity/temp right. Then it was suggested that I insulate three sides and the top of my glass tank and that worked like a charm. There are wonderful demos on this site, some even include pictures, that give a step by step guide. Materials vary but I used jungle cling for asthetics then insulated with black foam board and used high heat duct tape. I've had no problems since. Here's a picture of the finished product.

http://i1098.photobucket.com/albums/...BaloosHome.jpg

With a UTH providing the hot spot, all a infrared bulb will need to do is maintain the air temperature at 80 degrees. A lower wattage bulb should work.

You could get an accurite for measuring humidity and temps. Uth with a thermostat is a must. Herpstats work great. Eco earth substrate can help with raising humidity. Hopefully your wife will grow to love him. It took my family awhile to convince me. Now I love them to pieces! Also probably the worst "just one more" offender...lol. :D

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Originally Posted by ExotixTowing

Space Heater ?

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Yup where I keep my snakes and frog, isn't warm enough so along with the uth for the belly heat area, I use a little space heater to bring up the ambient temp in the tubs