50 Gallon long tank in cold room, what size Lamp?

Hey,

I got a 50 gallon (long) tank and it is setup in a rather chilly room ( 60-65 average) I have an under tank heater sized for the 50-65 gallon, and a 20 gallon size heater on the side. I believe that the tank floor is kept fairly hot, but there is no heat retention and I want to increase the ambient air temp. What size lamp should I get? I would keeping this on 24/7. I really have not much of an idea on this.

Also, I found out that a old boot is the perfect hiding spot. In fact, he prefers it over the 3 other hides I have in the tank. Just an FYI

Thanks

Quote:

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Originally Posted by patricknolan

Hey,

I got a 50 gallon (long) tank and it is setup in a rather chilly room ( 60-65 average) I have an under tank heater sized for the 50-65 gallon, and a 20 gallon size heater on the side. I believe that the tank floor is kept fairly hot, but there is no heat retention and I want to increase the ambient air temp. What size lamp should I get? I would keeping this on 24/7. I really have not much of an idea on this.

Also, I found out that a old boot is the perfect hiding spot. In fact, he prefers it over the 3 other hides I have in the tank. Just an FYI

Thanks

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Also If anyone knows a cheap but reliable place to get them ( preferebly online ) let me know.

I see a 250 watt one for sale I could get it with fixture for $40.

A 250 watt is way too much.

You are better off downsizing to a 20g long tank or switching to tubs.

a 50g will always be too big for a ball python.

I would be careful with that boot....once it gets soiled there is no chance of getting the smell out. You would just have to toss it.

Id much prefer to have the 50G tank. I think I will start off with a 100W and see if that keeps the heat up.

Are you talking about a ball python? I agree with what has already been said. Lights are not good for Ball's at all, well for most snakes. They overly dry the environment and then you have to deal with keeping the moisture up. How big is this Ball Python? A fifty is a huge tank.
I would really really really not get a light. REALLY.

As said before a 50 gallon long is just too big to keep proper temperatures and humidity. A heat lamp will suck any remaining humidity you have in that tank, which is not good. BP's need anywhere from 50-60% humidity.

I'd switch him/her to a tub or a 20 gallon long tank. If you would much prefer to have the 50 gallon, I'd suggest getting a different animal whose needs aren't as high as the BP. Remember, animal first - always. :gj:

A 50 gallon is way to big for a ball python. They dont like open spaces. If you intend to use it anyways fill it with giant plastic plants from a hobby shop and some large branches.
The under floor heating is enough if you cover the sides and back with some kind of insulation. Like styrofoam or thick cardboard. You will also need to cover most of the top to keep the humidity in. Put in several hides and a good sized water bowl.
Dont use a heat light or your snake will have a hard time shedding.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by patricknolan

Id much prefer to have the 50G tank. I think I will start off with a 100W and see if that keeps the heat up.

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What about what would be best for the snake?

I have to say that i love this site and i spend alot of time on it. And some of the people here have helped me out with a few things. I spend alot of time reading all the post and old post, and i have to say that some of the things that get posted on here for people just are not true. I think that some people post things THEY like and not what the snake likes. In the post above someones says "snakes hated lamps and have a hard time shedding" I have to say that this is not true. I have used lamps with all my snakes and never had any problems AT ALL with shedding. And how everyone says that the half log hides are junk? Again my snakes have log hides and never had any problems with stress and things like that. And im sure that after i post this i will be bashed but this stuff just is not the case with my snakes.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Friday2214

I have to say that i love this site and i spend alot of time on it. And some of the people here have helped me out with a few things. I spend alot of time reading all the post and old post, and i have to say that some of the things that get posted on here for people just are not true. I think that some people post things THEY like and not what the snake likes. In the post above someones says "snakes hated lamps and have a hard time shedding" I have to say that this is not true. I have used lamps with all my snakes and never had any problems AT ALL with shedding. And how everyone says that the half log hides are junk? Again my snakes have log hides and never had any problems with stress and things like that. And im sure that after i post this i will be bashed but this stuff just is not the case with my snakes.

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Part of this may have to do with where you live and how dedicated / available you are to keep the humidity up.
I live in the high desert and unless I spray my cages several times a day, without heat lamps, and soak my snakes weekly, we have poor sheds. It is crazy dry here. If you live in the south and have high humidity as a rule then holding humidity is not as big an issue. So, remember that when you post about how lights are not a problem you may be giving the wrong advise depending on where the person lives.

There are several other reasons not to like lights though. They are on or off devices. If you get them too big they are too hot, if you get them too small they are not hot enough. A good uth with a thermostat can give a constant heat source at just the level you need.
Lights can get hot enough to burn. A good U.T.H. with a thermostat is not going to do that if it is set properly.

As for aquariums.
Again, if you live in a humid area, a tank might not be a bad option. If you live in a non humid area a tank is a terrible option. They don't hold humidity well AT ALL. They also do not hold temps well.

As for half logs.
The good way to determine whats best for your snake is to look at how it would keep itself in the wild. In the wild a ball python would spend it's time in some termite den, where it would be dark and close. This is how they like it. I'm glad that half logs have worked for you but because something has worked does not mean it's what is best.

Do we always do what's best? No, we improvise. However, I think it's counterproductive to tell people things that have worked for us that aren't the best. If for no other reason then cost. When new ball python owners get into the hobby, many of them try to cut costs. I certainly try to cut costs. We tell them about things like half hides and they go out and buy them, then they have snakes that don't tolerate that, are stressed and don't want to eat, or have poor sheds.... Now that person has to shell out more for something that will be better. It would have been better to go with something different / better to begin with.

Everyone is different and has different needs. None of this is meant to slam your keeping. I believe, like I said, it's best to look at how the animal would behave in the wild.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Friday2214

I have to say that i love this site and i spend alot of time on it. And some of the people here have helped me out with a few things. I spend alot of time reading all the post and old post, and i have to say that some of the things that get posted on here for people just are not true. I think that some people post things THEY like and not what the snake likes. In the post above someones says "snakes hated lamps and have a hard time shedding" I have to say that this is not true. I have used lamps with all my snakes and never had any problems AT ALL with shedding. And how everyone says that the half log hides are junk? Again my snakes have log hides and never had any problems with stress and things like that. And im sure that after i post this i will be bashed but this stuff just is not the case with my snakes.

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It is true that you can use lamps and half log hides successfully but many new keepers can't make them work properly.

Heat lamps are a well known cause for bad sheds. It is a FACT that they sap humidity from the air, which is crucial during a shed cycle.

It is a FACT that half log hides are very open and don't provide enough security for some ball pythons. I have seen many people come in here asking why their snake won't eat. Generally they are using half log hides and once they switch to more enclosed hides, the snakes start eating.

So saying that the advice given in this thread is inaccurate. Just because it works fine for you doesn't mean it works fine for everyone. I am not saying that you can't use half logs and you can't use lamps, but if your snake is having problems shedding or it isn't eating, then you should probably reconsider those husbandry decisions.

There are many factors to take in to consideration in regards to husbandry. If you live in a humid environment, chances are using a heat lamp will be just fine. But if you live in michigan like the OP, having a heat lamp is just going to work against you with maintaining humidity.

I decided against the light and will resort to insulting all but one face of the tank. I covered the top mesh screen which traps alot of moisture in, and I do not need to spray water at all now.

My 50gallon tank is completely full of hides and branches and drift wood, so I dont believe the snake will feel he is in an open area. He wasnt eating for a while and then I added all the hides and such now he is back to eating.

I will keep monitoring the temperature after I insulate the tank, to see if another UTH is needed or not.

Thanks!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by patricknolan

I decided against the light and will resort to insulting all but one face of the tank. I covered the top mesh screen which traps alot of moisture in, and I do not need to spray water at all now.

My 50gallon tank is completely full of hides and branches and drift wood, so I dont believe the snake will feel he is in an open area. He wasnt eating for a while and then I added all the hides and such now he is back to eating.

I will keep monitoring the temperature after I insulate the tank, to see if another UTH is needed or not.

Thanks!

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I use a lamp during the winter months and if you put it right over the water dish then the humidity should be okay but you do have to fill the dish more often and check humidity daily! I have never had a bad shed with this method!