My first Ball Python "Brutis" Heating problem

I just got my first Ball Python "Brutis". He is still young about 1 1/2 ft. I have him in a 10gal tank. I have a small under tank heater directly under his hide and water on the other side of the tank. I put a heavy towel over most of the screen on the top but I am not getting his tank to the desired temp (about 72 on the cold side). He comes out of his hide but not for long then goes back in.

Would it be ok to get another under tank heater to leave on during the day? If yes should I put it under the water on the other side of the tank?
Or would you recommend a heat light?

Thank you in advance for your help. I want to make sure I provide the best home possible for him.

Regards,
Cory

:welcome:!!!!

The UTH you have should be running 24/7 and be controlled by a reptile thermostat.

How are you measuring temps? If you aren't using a digital thermometer, chances are the temps and humidity are off. Home depot sells a cheap indoor outdoor thermometer and hygrometer combo that works great for single setups like this. Its called an Accurite and is only about $12. If you are not controlling your UTH with anything, pick up a lutron lamp dimmer at the home depot as well ($11).

If after you control the UTH and have it running constantly and are getting correct temperature readings and the temp is still too low, then I would think about getting a second UTH for the cool side or a lamp (these do lower humidity though).

Also, you could insulate the back and sides of the tank with black foam board. This will help keep in the heat a bit better. Ditch the towel on top of the tank and replace it with some aluminum foil tape on the screen. Cover about 3/4ths of the screen.

I would also think about getting the snake a second identical hide for the cool side.

Good luck!

I have the one UTH running 24/7, there is no temp control on it. I plan on going to Home Depot to get a better thermometer than the on I have, and the aluminum foil tape sounds like a great idea.


I am also reading about a ceramic heat emitter as an option but feel that when I turn it off at night the temp will be to low for him. Maybe the Lutron Lamp Dimmer is my answer. Also have heard that the heater can dry out his home.

How do you control the humidity with a ceramic heater?




I feel that if I have a 2nd UTH I will not have a hot and cool side just one single temp. Not sure if leaving part of the screen will be enough to control this.

It sounds like the ceramic heater will be the best option unless kills the humidity.

Why would you turn it off at night?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by uwanaknome

I have the one UTH running 24/7, there is no temp control on it. I plan on going to Home Depot to get a better thermometer than the on I have, and the aluminum foil tape sounds like a great idea.


I am also reading about a ceramic heat emitter as an option but feel that when I turn it off at night the temp will be to low for him. Maybe the Lutron Lamp Dimmer is my answer. Also have heard that the heater can dry out his home.

How do you control the humidity with a ceramic heater?




I feel that if I have a 2nd UTH I will not have a hot and cool side just one single temp. Not sure if leaving part of the screen will be enough to control this.

It sounds like the ceramic heater will be the best option unless kills the humidity.

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You need to control the UTH with something. A reptile thermostat is preferable, but a rheostat or lamp dimmer will do. You will just have to constantly adjust it.

If you have a second UTH, you will set the temperature to 80* (where as the hotside would be ~90*). This way you will have a temperature gradient.

If you get a CHE, you can leave it on 24/7 but it will lower the humidity. There is no way to control the humidity with a CHE other than using a dimmer with it or just turning it off entirely. As long as it is on, the humidity will drop significantly.

WingedWolfPsion - to answer your question, because I was told to keep the temp at 80 cool - 90 hot during day and 70 cool - 80 hot at night.



Kaorte - so let me make sure I have this correct you say 2 UTH with temp controls? This sounds like something that I will have to play around with. The controls dont have temp settings do they?

example the UTH i have not you just plugg in. I have no idea the temp it runs at other than putting a thermostat on it.

The more expensive ($70) thermostats do have a way to set the exact temperature. A dimmer is just a little switch that you move up and down based on what your thermometer is reading.

If you just plug a regular UTH into the wall, it runs between 90-120*F. Usually on the hotter end which is enough to cause thermal burns.

Lets be clear on this though. There is a difference between a thermoMETER and a thermoSTAT. A thermometer measures the temperature of something. A thermostat controls the temperature of something by measuring the temperature of a heat source and either turning the heater on or off.

You snake does not need a night drop. The snake is better off without one. Constant temps are much more desirable. 70* is far too cool and can cause your snake to get sick if left like that for too long. Also, your snake needs that 90* temp in order to digest food properly.

I let my current UTH heat up and put my hand directly on it. I dont believe it was more than 90 but hard to tell. I was able to hold my hand on it with no problems. (felt nice) and the one heater is not warming the entire enclosure so I dont think it is to hot for him but will do some further checking tonight.



Thank you so much for the help.

Looks like I will be doing some shopping tonight.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by uwanaknome

I let my current UTH heat up and put my hand directly on it. I dont believe it was more than 90 but hard to tell. I was able to hold my hand on it with no problems. (felt nice) and the one heater is not warming the entire enclosure so I dont think it is to hot for him but will do some further checking tonight.



Thank you so much for the help.

Looks like I will be doing some shopping tonight.

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What do you mean by "felt nice"? Your body temperature is 98.6F. If you're feeling heat, then it's likely too hot for your snake.

felt warm not hot.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by uwanaknome

felt warm not hot.

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You cannot gauge temperature with your hands. Your extremities vary in heat by up to 20*F.

Thanks for the advice. Someone I spoke to told me differently.
Where do you place the sensors for the thermometer/hygrometer?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by uwanaknome

Thanks for the advice. Someone I spoke to told me differently.
Where do you place the sensors for the thermometer/hygrometer?

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Place the probe for the thermometer right on the glass where the UTH is and another probe anywhere on the cool side (unless there is another UTH, then it goes right on the glass).

you need to measure the hottest temperature that the snake can get too.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Quiet Tempest

What do you mean by "felt nice"? Your body temperature is 98.6F. If you're feeling heat, then it's likely too hot for your snake.

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That's not true......the substrate for my snakes feels warm to my touch..... and when i shoot the substrate with my temp gun it reads 94 degrees.....

checked it with the temp gage and got 89... im struggling to get 90 for some reason... Might have to buy a new UTH

Thank you all for your help. I now have the temp where it needs to be. Humidity is little low 42% so I'm gonna work on that next. Heat is right and I got him a bigger stick that he loves. I think the larger stick took up some room and he feels more confortable and is now more active. Again thank you for your help.

Cory

How big is the UTH you are using? It should cover approximately half of the floor of you tank. If you could post a pic of you set-up, it would help...


Rob

Quote:

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Originally Posted by uwanaknome

Thank you all for your help. I now have the temp where it needs to be. Humidity is little low 42% so I'm gonna work on that next. Heat is right and I got him a bigger stick that he loves. I think the larger stick took up some room and he feels more confortable and is now more active. Again thank you for your help.

Cory

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More activity is not what you are looking for. A hiding Ball python is a happy ball python. Roaming around is an indication of stress.

What kind of thermometer are you using now?

I have one large UTH that covers about half of the left side of the 10g tank set at 80. I have a hide in the corner on the left with water next to it. I have 1/3 of the top uncovered on this same side.


The other UTH is smaller and its set at 90 directly under his hide on the right. I purchased a magnetic cover over 2/3's of the top. (they are used to cover floor vents in your home to insulate the home) The magnetic cover is fairly thick.

I have both sensors stuck directly to the glass with newspaper on top.

The sensor on the hot side reads 42% and the cool side reads 41%.

He spends 85-90% of his time in the hides. He is out everyonce and a while and seems to be exploring or drinking water. He took a huge crap today too. Not sure if that means anything or not. I have not seen him get in the water yet. Most of his time is spent in the hide and he likes to peek his head out to look around.

I have added a second water dish next to his hide on the hot side to try and increase the humidity, but have not noticed a change yet. I also have misted his tank with water a couple times today.

Not sure if the location of the sensors will accurately pick up humidity levels.

I am trying to figure out how to add a pic...

Cory

[IMG]http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q...rutisstank.jpg[/IMG]

I am using 2 Acuright thermometer/hydrometer's

the accurite unit measures humidity, lol. That is probably why it isn't going up.

Put the entire unit in the enclosure with the snake.

boy do i feel dumb

Quote:

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Originally Posted by uwanaknome

boy do i feel dumb

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Haha happens all the time :) No sweat :gj:

ok im at 55%.... i feel so much better now

thank you for your help.... next time he is out I will get a good pic of him... all i have now is a cell phone shot...



cory

Hi,

Just to double check the tape in this photo is on the outside of the tank only yes?

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q...rutisstank.jpg

It would probably be a good idea to cover the back, bottom and sides to increase security.

You can get aquarium backing paper in most pet shops and then you can add insulating material over that to help keep the temps up and stable too. :gj:


dr del

[IMG]http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q...oungcroped.jpg[/IMG]

Unless you're an eight year old boy, that snake needs a larger cage. By looking at the picture and comparing your hand to the snake, the snake looks to be about 20-24 inches long. Maybe it's an illusion, but that picture makes that snake look too large for that aquarium.

Don't mean to bust on ya, just trying to help a fellow herper.
Jim Smith

Quote:

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Originally Posted by j_h_smith

Unless you're an eight year old boy, that snake needs a larger cage. By looking at the picture and comparing your hand to the snake, the snake looks to be about 20-24 inches long. Maybe it's an illusion, but that picture makes that snake look too large for that aquarium.

Don't mean to bust on ya, just trying to help a fellow herper.
Jim Smith

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If anything the tank is too large. You can see the ball python fits perfectly in those small hides. You can even see the snake in the picture of the tank.

that is my wifes hand...lol

he is about 16 inches

Okay, that would explain it.

Jim Smith

you need to get the temps and humidity better. start with the temp. yes most methods will lower your humidity, after you get your temps now comes the humidity.Try a larger water bowl more water = more humidity, you said you use a hide. they are also called humidity chambers. you can raise the humidity in the hide where your snake spends most of the time away. don't have to raise the entire tank, would be nice if you can. Don't go crazy with the water in the hide, you don't want the snake sitting in water or breathing too much humidity as this will cause problems too.
and those digital thermometers with the humidity and temp readings. they are not reliable. I have about 8 of them and if you put them side by side you will get different readings. more on the humidity readings. for the temp get a temp gun ( IR Thermometer ) they are not perfect but you will get a more precise reading. I have a fluke mini 62 ir thermometer that I got brand new off of the craigslist for what I would pay for a cheap one, so look around. it works great. If you get your humidity correct you will know when your snake sheds. I do use the humidity reading on the cheap thermometer and try to get a ball park range but the best test is the shedding of the snake.

This is a great and very helpful thread, I have been struggling the past two weeks with the same issues. By the way, uwanaknome, that is a wonderful looking python there!