Help with my Ball Pythons cage set up.

http://www3.picturepush.com/photo/a/...0/13427436.jpg

Currently, I run that light all the time, its a black light that gives off heat that I guess doesn't mess with their cycle, I was told you didn't need to run a day time light. I just bought a heating pad, that I thought I should also put on the side with the light I run 24/7. to make that side of the cage much warmer. Obviously his water bowl is in the middle, and then his cool side with the other hide. How does that look and will that work with the heating pad?

The temperature guage in the middle says about.. 75 and the humidity is 70 which seems very high.. (my room is extremely hot during the summer) The temperature seems low so I was thinking of putting a heating pad under where the grey hide and lamp is also. Would that be better or no because of the extreme humidity? He's hiding under his hide on the cool side even at night atm so I think hes kinda warm?

I accidently posted this in BP GENERAL if anything can delete it.

Number one and likely the most important... Get a thermostat. Can go with a decent inexpensive one from amazon called a hydrofarm. You'll want to upgrade it to one specifically made for our soft scaly friends unless you can just order one now. the herpsat line from Spyder robotics is very good. If you have to order it online, pick up a dimmer for in the meantime.<home depot, $10 max> Those under the tank hearing pads can cook the poor little devil.

Number two... Crumpled up paper or something similar for him or her to hide behind or under. They seem to enjoy
dark places and solitude.

Best of luck with your new obsession.

Your number two, isn't that what my two hides are for? :P something for him to hide under.

Also, do you know if I have poor temperature and humidity for the snake with the numbers I gave you, and what harm can come?

The reason why she said crumpled up news paper is because that tank is far too big for such a small baby. And whatever hide is smallest is where he will spend the majority of his time. You should definitely pick up a GOOD thermostat, asap, for the heat pad. Hotspot 89-90 ... cool side 80.

Throw away that temp gauge and get a couple of these... http://www.reptilebasics.com/thermom...l-thermometer/

1). Are you using a heat pad? Is it being regulated with a thermostat? If not, it can easily reach unsafe temperatures.

Good thermostat:
http://www.spyderrobotics.com
Cheaper thermostat:
http://www.amazon.com/Hydrofarm-MTPR.../dp/B000NZZG3S

2). Get rid of that circular thermometer. It's junk. Go out and buy a digital thermometer that has a probe.

You can find one called an Acurite that can monitor hot side, cool side and humidity.

3). Either get rid of that lamp or do some modifications. Heat lamps suck out the humidity.

Options:
1. Cover the screen with a damp towl
2. Cover with tin foil
3. Custom cut out plexi glass to lay on top with holes for ventilation and a space for the heat lamp.

4). Clutter up your cage. Use plants and/or crumpled up newspaper. Your tank is a bit too "clean".

5). Work on temperatures.
Warm side: 88-90 degrees
Cool side: 78-80 degrees
AT least 50% humidity. During shed it will need to be raised to 60-70%.

As soon as I get my next paycheck, I'm going to buy some of those digital thermometers, do they actually go inside the cage or on the outside? I see it has wiring so wouldn't want the snack to get wrapped in it. also I will buy a thermostat for the cage as I have yet to set up the heading pad.

Also, if I use tin foil, do I just leave it on top where the lamp will be? so just cut a piece of big enough for half of the cage then set the lamp on it?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BP Tim

Also, if I use tin foil, do I just leave it on top where the lamp will be? so just cut a piece of big enough for half of the cage then set the lamp on it?

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My first set-up was a screen top tank, and my solution for the aluminum foil was to cut some cardboard into panels about 4 inches wide. I wrapped each panel with foil. This allowed me to add or remove individual panels, as needed, to help with the humidity. Where the lamp sits, I left about a 2 inch gap so the cardboard wouldn't get hot. If I needed to cover the gaps, I would use strips of plain foil. Here is what it looked like...

The Panels:

http://ball-pythons.net/gallery/file.../ztank0051.jpg

With the lamp, and plain foil fillers:

http://ball-pythons.net/gallery/file.../ztank0054.jpg

http://ball-pythons.net/gallery/file.../ztank0055.jpg

http://ball-pythons.net/gallery/file.../ztank0059.jpg

Here is a photo without the lamp. If you don't need the lamp for supplemental heat, you should leave a gap at each end of the screen to allow ventilation.

http://ball-pythons.net/gallery/file.../ztank0053.jpg

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BP Tim

As soon as I get my next paycheck, I'm going to buy some of those digital thermometers, do they actually go inside the cage or on the outside? I see it has wiring so wouldn't want the snack to get wrapped in it. also I will buy a thermostat for the cage as I have yet to set up the heading pad.

Also, if I use tin foil, do I just leave it on top where the lamp will be? so just cut a piece of big enough for half of the cage then set the lamp on it?

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Those thermometers do go inside the cage. The unit goes on the cool side and the probe goes ontop of the heat pad. I'm not sure how some deal with the cord as we do not have the Acurite thermometers in Canada.

I just use a temp gun.

^

Thanks, I will deff keep that in mind.

Also, The humidity doesn't seem to be the problem at the moment assuming my :cens0r::cens0r::cens0r::cens0r:ty temperature thing is right at the humidity is at 60-70% (seems high for him not being in shed) What I mostly am worried about is that it seems like his cage is to cold =/

I highly doubt your humidity is that high.

As I've said, those analog thermometers are complete trash. I think you'll be surprised once you have a digital one and see your actual temperatures/humidity

as far as the thermostat, Would I just plug that into the wall, then the heating pat into that, and set it at what, 85 degrees? and it will heat it up to that put, Sorry, probably a dumb question but I'm a worry what and wanna make sure I get it 100% right.

He always seems to be going to his cool side hide and hanging out there so he can't be that cold? I just put a new hide on his hot side and he will go in it.. come out shortly after and move over to the other side.

Shoulda put this in last post, but with the heating pad, should I completely remove the lamp above? or will the pad itself not heat up a spot that is warm enough for him to relax in when needed?

Little higher on the thermostat as the probe will go between the glass and heat pad and this is your hot side. Don't go crazy with substrate. 1/2" should be good. I keep my hydrofarm set at 91. Going to invest in a herpstat as soon as I get passed a few birthdays.

The two best things I have picked up for my girl is 1- the thermostat and 2- a decent infared temp gun. Picked it up at Home Depot for $30.

And yes,I said newspaper because it is a big tank for your new bouncing baby ball. I just got into this quite recently and I'm pretty sure started out with the same set up. It's completely different now. Ive turned it into kind of a jungle theme. vines, leaves etc. you'll spend more time looking at your set up than your snake as a hiding ball is a happy ball. Oh, and the lamp....red or blue night light if any at all. My experiences so far is that the blue is hotter but prettier. I have the light on a dimmer and the temp gun allows for quick temp spot checks. Amazing how much goes into this, I worry more about her than any of my other pets.

Oh and my apologies, I'm long winded....

http://www1.picturepush.com/photo/a/...0/13430779.jpg

I just bought this, now, should I set it up where its on the inside because it measures temperature and humidity? I have yet to get the thermostat but I'm pretty sure her warm side is too cold.

I'm really worried because I'm having a hard time getting her temperatures up on her warm side. I just put the guage in and its only at 81 after a bit and the humidity is at 16-20% which is really low, I added a second bowl of water so.. I'm hoping this helps :/

- - - Updated - - -

I'm really worried because I'm having a hard time getting her temperatures up on her warm side. I just put the guage in and its only at 81 after a bit and the humidity is at 16-20% which is really low, I added a second bowl of water so.. I'm hoping this helps :/

I just put a room humidifier in here so I'm hoping that helps also.. Don't want the little guy to get sick or die =/

Once you have some proper thermometers and a hygrometer, you will realize how off your temps are.

The heat pad plugs into the thermostat. The thermostat comes with a temperature probe that you will put on the UTH (outside of the enclosure so the snake can't move it). Put a probe thermometer under the substrate on the glass where the UTH is and set your Thermostat to whatever temp until the thermometer tells you about 90º Sometimes there is some discrepancy between the thermostat reading and the thermometer.

Ideally you want your hot spot around 90º and your cool side/ambient air temp between 75-80º. Humidity should be 50-60% normall, with a 10% increase during shed cycles.

Don't think about it too hard ;) its pretty easy once you have everything in front of you.


You might find that you will still need the heat lamp even with the UTH. The UTH will not raise your ambient air temps at all. It will only raise the surface temp.

I don't get paid for another week, will he be fine till then? I have the heat pad going without a thermostat sadly because I feel his warm side isn't warm enough. It's been about 30 minutes and the new temper/humidity guage is reading 80 degrees on his hot side =/ (also, its attached to the side of the cage, not directly where the heat pad is) and humidity is at 60%.

Is there anyway I can raise the temperature of his warm side? I use a heat lamp because the heat pad alone won't work, A higher wattage bulb?

EDIT: the humidity dropped back down to 35%. Really having problems keeping the temperature and humidity constant at all times.

http://www3.picturepush.com/photo/a/...0/13431156.jpg


this is how it's set up, two water bowls now in the middle, his cool hide is the one on the right, and the grey one is his hot side. The heat lamp is a night time light that gives off heat (the purpleish looking light) and the heat pad is underthe tank right below the grey hide.

I'm having big trouble keeping the temperature on the hot side up and same with the humidity with this set up

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BP Tim

I don't get paid for another week, will he be fine till then? I have the heat pad going without a thermostat sadly because I feel his warm side isn't warm enough. It's been about 30 minutes and the new temper/humidity guage is reading 80 degrees on his hot side =/ (also, its attached to the side of the cage, not directly where the heat pad is) and humidity is at 60%.

Is there anyway I can raise the temperature of his warm side? I use a heat lamp because the heat pad alone won't work, A higher wattage bulb?

EDIT: the humidity dropped back down to 35%. Really having problems keeping the temperature and humidity constant at all times.

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Humidity is going to be a constant struggle with a heat lamp. Try covering parts of the screen top as other users have suggested.

Yes the snake will be okay with just a heat lamp for a week. Don't worry.

I wouldn't trust the reading of that thermometer at all. Its in the middle of the tank, not where the snake is, and those thermometers in general are just not accurate.

I think that your set-up is very good, although you might want too add some plastic plants for your bp to hide in.

well, if you see that thing in there by the grey hide.. its a digital one that is giving me the reading, that small circle plastic one I just left in there.

The digital one was a.. exo-terra humidity/temperguage guage, got it at petsmart for like 20 bucks. I just don't know if I should bury the sensor under the aspen or what

How do I raise the temperature? I have both the lamp and heat pad on one side running now and the digital thermometer is still only reading like.. 82-83 degrees

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BP Tim

well, if you see that thing in there by the grey hide.. its a digital one that is giving me the reading, that small circle plastic one I just left in there.

The digital one was a.. exo-terra humidity/temperguage guage, got it at petsmart for like 20 bucks. I just don't know if I should bury the sensor under the aspen or what

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Sorry I missed that new post!

Put the sensor at the substrate level. It reads humidity from the probe so you don't want to bury it.

I have a couple of those and I can say from experience that the humidity reading is not all that accurate.

Honestly, 80 degrees for a week is not a big deal. Just hold off on feeding til you have it sorted out.

If you are concerned about the temp, get a slightly higher wattage bulb.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 4 Beta

how do you control the temp in a plastic container cage? I live in Southern California, we don't have AC and its been pretty hot here and I'm expecting a hot summer with maybe cool days here and there. will I be fine with just UTH and humidity control and foliage? or will I need something to control temp not just measure it? I wasn't sure a lightbulb would work well with the plastic enclosures.

For a cheap fix on the heating pad... grab a dimmer for it. You'll be adjusting etc but it's better than it running with nothing.

The newest pic I have of Nagini's set up. I struggle with humidity as well. You can't see it, but I have a shallow terra cotta plant dish that i packed with wet eco earth. It helped quite a bit. You might want to move the water dish closer to the hot side and take a kitchen towel, soak with water and lay over a good part of the screen on top. That will help a lot short term.

http://i595.photobucket.com/albums/t...21167393_o.jpg

Quote:

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Originally Posted by alykoz

how do you control the temp in a plastic container cage? I live in Southern California, we don't have AC and its been pretty hot here and I'm expecting a hot summer with maybe cool days here and there. will I be fine with just UTH and humidity control and foliage? or will I need something to control temp not just measure it? I wasn't sure a lightbulb would work well with the plastic enclosures.

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If you don't have AC and its getting really hot (above 85) it might be wise to just unplug the heat until it cools down. I'd say anything hotter than 95º and you might be facing some problems..

You shouldn't need too much in the way of humidity control in a plastic enclosure. They do a pretty good job of holding moisture. You most certainly need a thermostat if you are using a UTH.

Yeah a lightbulb wouldn't really work that well.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Kaorte

If you don't have AC and its getting really hot (above 85) it might be wise to just unplug the heat until it cools down. I'd say anything hotter than 95º and you might be facing some problems..

You shouldn't need too much in the way of humidity control in a plastic enclosure. They do a pretty good job of holding moisture. You most certainly need a thermostat if you are using a UTH.

Yeah a lightbulb wouldn't really work that well.

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it gets hot during the day and cools down at night. we have like 3 fans going all the time. so I should just bump down the UTH when it gets super hot? Yeah I will be using a thermostat to control the UTH as well as a thermometer to test ambient temps and humidity but I guess my question was, what are my options for controlling ambient air temp in a plastic enclosure?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by alykoz

it gets hot during the day and cools down at night. we have like 3 fans going all the time. so I should just bump down the UTH when it gets super hot? Yeah I will be using a thermostat to control the UTH as well as a thermometer to test ambient temps and humidity but I guess my question was, what are my options for controlling ambient air temp in a plastic enclosure?

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Not very many options outside of regulating the room temp :( I keep all my ball pythons in tubs in the same room and I keep the room temp between 75-78º. That is my ambient temp for everyone.

Sadly I already put the head pad underneath but I wasn't able to get a thermostat as car troubles came up so I'm going to have to just be very careful for now and probably turn it on and off till I can afford it =/

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BP Tim

Sadly I already put the head pad underneath but I wasn't able to get a thermostat as car troubles came up so I'm going to have to just be very careful for now and probably turn it on and off till I can afford it =/

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I have a spare HydroFarm, send me a private message would be happy to send it to you no cost.

^ I sent you a private message, that would be wonderful. I

My humidity atm says 12%, I can't image this being right.. I have a little bowl of water, then a big bowl of water and I also mist.. it goes up some but then right back down..

My snake just ate tonight (first time feeding him, got him 6 days ago) and I heard they wouldn't eat without the right humidity in the air so.. hopefully it's just the sensor that is wrong.. I'm going to buy a higher wattage bulb because I need his warm side to be a little hotter but, I have friends who own ball pythons at work who say they don't monitor the humidity at all and there snakes have shed, fed, pretty much are healthy snakes that they have owned for quite awhile now. Am I just worrying to much about this humidity thing?

Evening Tim... Try wetting a kitchen towel and laying it over about 3/4 of the top screen. Short term fix but a good way to bring in humidity. 12% is incredibly low.. Hard to know if it's accurate but I'm in the desert in California and I've seen numbers that low as well.

Are you worrying too much? I couldn't say as I've been exactly where you are quite recently and the humidity thing about drove me to drink.

yeah, the humidity thing is killing me. The temperature is a little low onr the hot side but, thankfully an awesome member here is hooking me up with a thermostat for the heat pad and it will be able to be on more then what It is now.

I currently have cardboard wrapped in tinfoil setting on top of the scree cage, covering about 3/4 of the tank, with a wet cloth on top of that. \

I love my little guy, they take a lot of care for and once I get everything right with this one, I'm really going to look into getting another one :) Didn't realize how addicting it would actually be after I got my first :P

Once you get your thermostat and turn the UTH back on, you can also try putting a wider, shallower water bowl partially over the UTH to augment evaporation and increase the humidity that way. If you decide to do that, make sure the screen above the bowl is part of the covered portion.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/07/01/3ete5e5a.jpg

Heres my set up to help you. Here are the basics i go by:

Accurite stays on cool side while probe is attached to bottom above the hat pad. Heat pad is attached to thermostat. I have a 50 watt heat bulb to raise the air temp and the heat pad stays at 92 degrees. I mist every other night and my humidity stays at 50-60% even with the light because i use cypress mulch bedding and i cover half the screen with plexiglass which keeps moisture and heat in on the cooler side. Cooler side is always atleast 80 degrees. I have 2 identical hides so my snake just does not pick the tightest hide and stay on one side.

Hope i helped a little.. Good luck! I am a new ball python owner too.. But i do have other snakes so i have some experience.

I have the carboard wrapped tinfoil l now, a bigger water bowl + her small one + I mist in there. it still only says 15-20% so this has gotta be wrong..

her eyes look almost dry.. even though I do everything I've been told, I even gave her a warm bath for a few minutes even though she didn't seem to like it at all, kept trying to get out.

Hopefully I didn't stress her out so much it causes a problem...

My ball is in my living room that is usually 68. Its a forty gallon glass tank with foil covered top with a large window for the heat from a 100 watt che and a 60 watt bulb can pass through. Humidity is impossible to keep up how it is. What I did instead of misting every day several times a day is make my hides humid hides. I did nothing more than put miss in the hides and now I mist them and let it dry back out. During a shed I keep it nice and damp. That paired with misting time to time has given me perfect sheds even though the cage humidity is around 30-40%.

I also like the moss because it gives the hide a tighter more secure feel.

During sheds I also put damp moss under the hide that was above the UTH to assist with sheds.


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