Need help with the air vs. substrate temps for my baby ball python!

I have a 100W ceramic bulb, and it is keeping the air temp around 88-92 degrees, however when I put my hand in my baby ball python's tank the substrate doesnt feel too warm, and neither does his hide spot. Should I get a UTH? If so what is the best brand? I have heard T-Rex Cobra's are good. Also should I get another lamp but for use at night for viewing? I am asking because I dont want to overheat my snake. Thank you!

Snake need belly heat to help with disjestion there food. I would wich to a under tank heater but you have to watch the temp closly. I have a corn and I only us UTH, and no other light if you want some light you can us LED lights that give off little to no heat.

Oh ok that makes sense Thank you!. What UTH brand do you recommend?

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Originally Posted by sicilian1928

Oh ok that makes sense Thank you!. What UTH brand do you recommend?

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I am using a zoo-med Repti-therm for a 10-20g tank. You really need to use a thermostat for them though because they can get over 110 degrees easy. Depending on your house temps you may need to supplement with an ambient heat source like your ceramic bulb too.

I use an Exo-Terra Rainforest UTH with a Herpstat temperature controller. As others have mentioned your temperature controller is key. Also invest in a couple probe style thermometers for both your hot and cold side as guessing temps with your snake is just not okay. You don't have to spend the money on something like a herpstat off the hop - you can buy somehting as simple as a plug in lamp dimmer from your hardware store or walmart.

For ambient temp you can either go with an infrared on a 24 hour cycle or a CHE (Ceramic). I had a CHE, but have switched to an infrared as it doesn't kill the humidity as much as the other option.

Hope this helps.

thanks for all the help, now i just hope that the little pet store in the town i am in for college has a UTH!

I ran heat cable through the top spot in my rack and taped it down to the wood and about an hour later the heat had seeped through the wood and was radiating into my bp's tub. Very effective at raising ambient without killing humidity.

Edit: Rack is set-up like this:

Spot 1 (top spot): Heat cable ran on bottom and taped down. Front covered by duct tape to keep heat inside spot 1

Spot 2: BP

Spot 3: Florida King

Spot 4: Amel Corn

2nd edit- Go to reptilebasics.com and order 1 foot of flexwatt preconnected. Cheaper than a UTH and much better!

Ok so I got a UTH, and i put aluminum foil on the top of the screen to keep heat from escaping, but the snake doesnt feel warm to the touch, and neither does the ground. I seriously dont know what to do at this point. I switched around terrarium a bit and put the little tree I have on the side with the heat. He climbed up onto it and got closer to the ceramic bulb, so he should be getting good heat from that at this point. I am still confused as to how this cage is freaking hot!

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Originally Posted by sicilian1928

Ok so I got a UTH, and i put aluminum foil on the top of the screen to keep heat from escaping, but the snake doesnt feel warm to the touch, and neither does the ground. I seriously dont know what to do at this point. I switched around terrarium a bit and put the little tree I have on the side with the heat. He climbed up onto it and got closer to the ceramic bulb, so he should be getting good heat from that at this point. I am still confused as to how this cage is freaking hot!

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What size tank do you have and how big is the UTH? It should cover about 1/3 - 1/4 of the bottom.. it takes some time to raise the temps also..

I have a 20 gallon tank, and a UTH that says its for 10-20 gallon tanks. I just really dont want my baby python to get cold and sick.

I actually think i just had to experiment with the terrain! he is cruising around. he was on the UTH for a little bit, then he got off and cruised to the cool side! first time since i got him which was yesterday. I think I got things working

And another problem, i got the python happy and cruising along, and then another speed bump......The new UTH I bought today sounded like it was buzzing. Soon after he went to the opposite side of the cage...I think the UTH was defective. So I need to take it back tomorrow asap

You should really get some sort of temperature controller to prevent your snake from being burned. Those UTH's in some cases can get VERY hot and cause damage to your snake. $10 will get you a lamp dimmer which will work to raise and lower the temps for the time being. Go and get yourself a probe style temperature gauge also. For $20 or $30 you will be taking away all the temperature guessing and will be able to provide a more consistent living environment for your little guy.

Yeah I will definitely get one of those when I get the money which is about a week from now. I just hope a 100W Ceramic bulb will do the trick for the time being. I have put aluminum foil on top of the screen to hold in heat.