Advice Needed on my current tank arrangements

My ball python, Pandora, has moved from the half log on the right side of the tank to the new hide i bought her on the left side of the tank. Im not sure if this is because of the new hide or the temperature. I tested the temperature right next to the new hide and it is about 72.2 degrees with 52% humidity. The temperature and humidity under the half log is 92 degrees 34% humidity. I have a uth towards the right side of the tank. The thermometer/hygrometer reads currently 82.7 with 48%.
I am having a problem balancing the tank humidity and temperatures.
I want the basking are to be around 90 degrees.
I want the the cool area to be warmer around 78-82
How do I solve this problem?
Should I switch the two hides?
I think she likes the hide in the cooler side better not because of the temperature or humidity

http://i991.photobucket.com/albums/a...d/IMG_0192.jpg

http://i991.photobucket.com/albums/a...d/IMG_0191.jpg

I think you're probably right about her preferring the smaller hide. Your humidity is low and the tank looks pretty open. She probably prefers the security of the newer hide.

I had a lot of success with humidity and security just by putting a towel over the top of my tank. I assume she's still pretty young if she likes the smaller hide. BPs definitely prefer a snug fit.

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Originally Posted by jxk

I think you're probably right about her preferring the smaller hide. Your humidity is low and the tank looks pretty open. She probably prefers the security of the newer hide.

I had a lot of success with humidity and security just by putting a towel over the top of my tank. I assume she's still pretty young if she likes the smaller hide. BPs definitely prefer a snug fit.

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This advice is spot on.

I did put a damp tower over the left side over the tank. Maybe i should add another small one. Im even thinking about buying a normal humidifier and placing it next to the tank incase she needs to shed.
Do you add a damp towel for your snake everyday? She is currently in the big hide on the right where the heat pad is. Here is a picture.

http://i991.photobucket.com/albums/a...d/IMG_0194.jpg

I personally would get another hide just like you have on the left side of the tank and put it where the half log is. I would also remove the half log. A lot of pet stores keep the half logs in their tanks so the customer can see the snake. I don't think they make the best of hides because they are not that secure. That way your ball python will not have to sacrifice being cold vs. being in his preferred hide. I would also lower your hygrometer to approximately one inch or so above the bedding. That is actually where the snake is and you would get a more accurate reading where the snake is.

As far as your humidity goes you can go to Lowe's or Home Depot and get a pice of plexiglass (cut to fit......they will cut it for you) and place over the water bowl. Make sure the plexiglass covers about two-thirds of the top of the tank. Another issue that you are having with humidity is your aspen bedding. It is very dry and does not hold humidity very well. Cypress mulch is great at holding humidity. A UTH is a better alternative for providing heat than the heat lamp because the lamps suck out your humidity.

Other than that it looks like you have a good setup. This is all my $0.02.

Good Luck!

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Originally Posted by Reptile King

I personally would get another hide just like you have on the left side of the tank and put it where the half log is. I would also remove the half log. A lot of pet stores keep the half logs in their tanks so the customer can see the snake. I don't think they make the best of hides because they are not that secure. That way your ball python will not have to sacrifice being cold vs. being in his preferred hide. I would also lower your hygrometer to approximately one inch or so above the bedding. That is actually where the snake is and you would get a more accurate reading where the snake is.

As far as your humidity goes you can go to Lowe's or Home Depot and get a pice of plexiglass (cut to fit......they will cut it for you) and place over the water bowl. Make sure the plexiglass covers about two-thirds of the top of the tank. Another issue that you are having with humidity is your aspen bedding. It is very dry and does not hold humidity very well. Cypress mulch is great at holding humidity. A UTH is a better alternative for providing heat than the heat lamp because the lamps suck out your humidity.

Other than that it looks like you have a good setup. This is all my $0.02.

Good Luck!

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Thanks for the help.
The plexiglass sounds like a good idea.
If the plexiglass doesn't bring the humidity to normal levels then I will swap out the bedding. I heard coconut husk is good as well but i prefer aspen because it looks good.

I checked the temp under the log and it was 93 and 27% humidity. Is that too hot for basking temp? It seems like everyone says 88-90 is good basking temp. I lowered my rheostat for the UTH and lamp until the basking temp hit 90. But this in turn makes the cool side of the tank even colder. The cool side of the tank right outside her hide on the left is 73.2 degrees and 58% humidity. What is a good way to make the cool side a bit warmer for my snake? It seems like my lamp is really drying out the right side. I am replacing my infrared light bulb with a black light heat bulb. Will this help at all? What a headache.

She's sacrificing her temperature requirements for her security and using the smaller hide even if it's not the proper thermogradient that she wants to be in. I recommend getting rid of that log hide altogether and putting an identical one in there to replace it. Log hides are bad for ball pythons in general.

Aspen should be fine for humidity. If you are having trouble with humidity, get rid of your heat lamp, and control the UTH to 95F UNDER the substrate on the glass and that usually is sufficient to heat the whole cage properly.
If not, I would try using foil and duct tape or foil tape on the outside of the screen to keep humidity inside more permanently. Make sure there is at least one 2inch square open for air circulation though.

And if you go with the foil method, which is cheaper than plexiglass and is more heat conservative, never ever use tape inside the enclosure where the snake can reach it.

Good luck!

I would also get rid of the heat lamp. A UTH will be sufficient.

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Originally Posted by blackcrystal22

She's sacrificing her temperature requirements for her security and using the smaller hide even if it's not the proper thermogradient that she wants to be in. I recommend getting rid of that log hide altogether and putting an identical one in there to replace it. Log hides are bad for ball pythons in general.

Aspen should be fine for humidity. If you are having trouble with humidity, get rid of your heat lamp, and control the UTH to 95F UNDER the substrate on the glass and that usually is sufficient to heat the whole cage properly.
If not, I would try using foil and duct tape or foil tape on the outside of the screen to keep humidity inside more permanently. Make sure there is at least one 2inch square open for air circulation though.

And if you go with the foil method, which is cheaper than plexiglass and is more heat conservative, never ever use tape inside the enclosure where the snake can reach it.

Good luck!

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Thanks for the advice. But even when I heat my UTH to 101 it doesn't heat up the cool side of the tank properly =/. I think I am just going to get another small UTH heater or heat tape and cover more of the tank.
What do you think?

You may just need to break down and get a second UTH and a second thermostat. Set one for the hot side and the other at 10* lower for the cool side. If using a large aquarium type cage like that 2 UTH will do the trick. Then you can get rid of the lamp completely. Cover the screen about 85% with something. Plexiglass, foil, duct tape (only on the top surface if using tape) etc.. This will cure all your problems.

And PRESTO! You have just made a huge tub for your snake!

Cover the sides and back of the glass with black posterboard or some dark decorative aquarium wallpaper. Paint them black etc. Your snake will feel much more comfortable and you will not be risking him getting sick by having him stressed and cold.

I am a bit confused. Are you using the UTH for the hot side or the cool side? Is the lamp on the same side as the UTH?

You could get a dimmer for the lamp and use that for the cool side and use the UTH for the hot side. Make sure you have a probe measuring the temp of the UTH.

Your flukers thermometer/hygrometer should be towards the bottom of the tank where the snake spends most of its time,not at the top.

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Originally Posted by Foschi Exotic Serpents

You may just need to break down and get a second UTH and a second thermostat. Set one for the hot side and the other at 10* lower for the cool side. If using a large aquarium type cage like that 2 UTH will do the trick. Then you can get rid of the lamp completely. Cover the screen about 85% with something. Plexiglass, foil, duct tape (only on the top surface if using tape) etc.. This will cure all your problems.

And PRESTO! You have just made a huge tub for your snake!

Cover the sides and back of the glass with black posterboard or some dark decorative aquarium wallpaper. Paint them black etc. Your snake will feel much more comfortable and you will not be risking him getting sick by having him stressed and cold.

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Now the question is .. another 10-20 gallon uth or 5-10 gallon uth or heat tape?

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Originally Posted by Kaorte

I am a bit confused. Are you using the UTH for the hot side or the cool side? Is the lamp on the same side as the UTH?

You could get a dimmer for the lamp and use that for the cool side and use the UTH for the hot side. Make sure you have a probe measuring the temp of the UTH.

Your flukers thermometer/hygrometer should be towards the bottom of the tank where the snake spends most of its time,not at the top.

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I am using the UTH for the hot side. The lamp and UTH are on the same side.

Your right i need to move that thermometer thank you

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Originally Posted by jzoot3d

I am using the UTH for the hot side. The lamp and UTH are on the same side.

Your right i need to move that thermometer thank you

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I would also move the lamp to the cool side. The UTH can take care of the hotside temp just fine. The lamp should just be used to increase ambient temps if you live in a particularly cold house. If you use a dimmer with the lamp, it will also help keep your humidity a little higher.

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Originally Posted by Kaorte

I would also move the lamp to the cool side. The UTH can take care of the hotside temp just fine. The lamp should just be used to increase ambient temps if you live in a particularly cold house. If you use a dimmer with the lamp, it will also help keep your humidity a little higher.

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This is true but the lamp would need to be on 24/7 to keep the temps from falling too much at night. This will also feed the low humidity problem. A second UTH to prevent ambient temps from falling will prevent this. Maybe a ceramic heat emitter?

For my ball python set ups, I always had two identical hides, one on the cool side and one on the hot side. For my hot side I had the temperature stay at 90- 95 degrees, and my cool side stay at 85- 80 degrees. As for humidity, I always kept it at 50- 60%. I used the expandable substrate eco-dirt because it held humidity great, although, the coconut husk substrate is just about the same, just a little more expensive and you don't have to expand it. I did use a red bulb during the day to keep the air temperature a little higher, but I had a timer to run it from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. so at night it was just the under the tank heat mats.

Is there a reason I havent heard of anyone using mylar as a heat reflectant/insulator?

:) I sent you a copy of my Tank Setup Tips via PM. They'll tell you what you need to do to get a tank working right and consistently as a snake cage. :D

THANK YOU ALL FOR YOU HELP.
Great advice from everyone