HALP!! Temp. problems

:mad: Hey guys. I just inherited our Fraternities' ball python, Angel, two days ago. I'm having HUGE problems maintaing the proper temp for her.

I currently have three heat sources. One UV light, another light running an infrared light and a zoomed UTH pad. Nonetheless, the digital thermometer I have in the cage gives me 78 degree reading.

The problem is that my room is in the basement. My house runs very cold as well.

I need to know, what is the best option for a more powerful heat source? I was considering buying a clamp lamp and throwing a 250w ceramic heat emitter on it with win100 thermostat.

Do you guys think that it would be powerful enough to provide the necessary temperature?

78 degrees would be ok for an ambient temp. What is the hot spot at?

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Originally Posted by dragonboy4578

78 degrees would be ok for an ambient temp. What is the hot spot at?

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The spot under the two lights is at 78. The spot under her hide, which is where I have the heat pad, is at about 85. I tested it with a meat thermometer lol.

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Originally Posted by angel1824

The spot under the two lights is at 78. The spot under her hide, which is where I have the heat pad, is at about 85. I tested it with a meat thermometer lol.

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LOL, I don't know how accurate a meat thermometer would be to test the uth. If the reading is correct then your hot spot is a little low.... I prefer nothing under 88. Is your UTH regulated in any way? Thermostat, or rheostat?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dragonboy4578

LOL, I don't know how accurate a meat thermometer would be to test the uth. If the reading is correct then your hot spot is a little low.... I prefer nothing under 88. Is your UTH regulated in any way? Thermostat, or rheostat?

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Nope, it's in the mail. But I unstuck the pad from the bottom of the tank to make sure it wouldn't get too hot. Maybe that's why it is only at 85?

I tested it with the meat thermometer because I know exactly where it reads the temp from. With the electronic one, I have no idea.

I would wait until you get the thermostat, then tape the pad back down with aluminum tape. I use a temp gun to check my hot spot. You should be able to get the temp up when you get everything hooked up....

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dragonboy4578

I would wait until you get the thermostat, then tape the pad back down with aluminum tape. I use a temp gun to check my hot spot. You should be able to get the temp up when you get everything hooked up....

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Thanks for all your help.

I'm still thinking of upgrading my heat source (the temp drops to 68-70 at night when I shut the lights). If I get a powerful CHE, do you think that it will be enough to keep the temp at or above 80?

you should have no problem keeping the temp up with that.... My only concern with them is that they tend to dry out the humidity that you want in you tank....

Do you have the top of the tank covered at all?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dragonboy4578

you should have no problem keeping the temp up with that.... My only concern with them is that they tend to dry out the humidity that you want in you tank....

Do you have the top of the tank covered at all?

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I had been using towels to contain the humidity. But when I put my hygrometer in today, it read 73%. I took them off and it's at a healthy 58%.

Given that my room is in the basement, keeping a healthy humidity should be easy.

Then you should be ok.... Just keep an eye on things......:D

More power is one solution but you might try to limit the heat loss. To see if that will work just drape a blanket over the top and back and sides. (not over the light or where it will get too hot and burn.) and see if that pops it up some. If it does, the foam insulation is cheap and easy to cut. I like the blue or pink foam over the white it is less messy, the white will work as well.