Light/Heat Issue???

Hi,

I recently bought an albino at a show and have her in a 20 gallon long tank. I was wondering if her UTH and the 50 watt bulb I have on her is good enough. She was out and about more before but recently she has stayed in her hide more often. Should I get a bigger watt bulb? Should I switch it to only infrared bulb? Her temps seem to be ok, although I am constantly having to spray her mulch down. She has a hide on both sides and a branch and bowl of water in the middle. Does she need more stuff in her tank? Maybe I'm just worrying too much.

I was thinking she was going into shed, but she's albino and hard to tell, with no blue eyes. Her skin looks dry and pale like sheds going to shed but no clear signs. Should I try soaking her? I know it seems like I have too many issues and questions to own a snake, but I have owned snakes in the past but none like her. She seems unique, maybe it's albino thing. I always wanted one in the past and I finally got her, and now I want her to be happy and healthy.

Thanks to all!

What are your cage temps?

What are you using to measure temperatures?

Do you have a thermostat controlling your UTH?/What is your thermostat set to?

How thick is your substrate layer?

With Albinos, the best way to tell if they're going into shed it their stomachs. It will turn from that usual pearl color to pink.

In regards to the heating issues, what are your temps and what are you using to measure them? Also, posting a picture of your setup definitely wouldnt hurt.

Edit: You beat me to it sir. Lol.

To OP, check out this thread by Serpent Merchant on how to setup a 20 long:
http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?t=201740

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My temps are around 82 on top of the hide on the hot side and the temp on the cool side is around 75. I use an automatic temp thermostat. My substrateis about 1-2 inches except in the hide its shallow to allow the UTH to warm it. I don't have any control on the UTH, just the heater itself. I've included a pic of my setup.

http://ball-pythons.net/gallery/file.../6/0/setup.jpg


Hope the pic works, I've never added a pic to a post.

Ok, your setup has a few issues.

1. You need to get a thermostat for your UTH or unplug it. Without a thermostat controlling the UTH it will get way too hot (130 F+)

2. You need to get a different thermometer, the one you have isn't even telling you how hot your UTH is as UTH's only heats surfaces. You need a probed thermometer like this one:

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/...3.jpg~original

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Acu-Rite-I...ndingMethod=rr

3. Your cage temps are on the low side. The hot side needs to be between 88-92 F and the cool side between 78-82 F.

How will getting a thermostat for under the heater help control it? When she gets hot she seems to move to the cooler side.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ssecrest77

How will getting a thermostat for under the heater help control it? When she gets hot she seems to move to the cooler side.

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The reason you need a thermostat to control your UTH is so your snake doesnt get burned. Sometimes snakes like to burrow and an unregulated UTH can get very hot.

A thermostat will make sure to keep of the temp of the UTH to a safe level for your snake.

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Ah, gotcha. It might take a little time before I can buy all the stuff, but I will follow the link that was posted on the setup. What about my light? Should I go to a 75w infrared? I can go ahead and put the foil and paper around the tank also.

The foil may be better than the sham-wow, I got over it now, holding humidity. It and the tank dries fairly quickly during the day.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ssecrest77

How will getting a thermostat for under the heater help control it? When she gets hot she seems to move to the cooler side.

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A ThermoSTAT is not the same thing as a thermoMETER

A thermoSTAT uses a temperature sensor to turn the heat source on and off or to vary the amount of power going to a heat source to control its temperature to whatever temperature you set it to. The heat source actually plugs into the thermostat

A thermoMETER is just a device that measures temperature.

An unregulated UTH is a fire hazard and gets hot enough to seriously burn a snake. It only takes 108 F to give a BP brain damage. You cannot trust a snake to move off of a heat source on its own. I have seen far too many snakes get burned this way.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ssecrest77

Ah, gotcha. It might take a little time before I can buy all the stuff, but I will follow the link that was posted on the setup. What about my light? Should I go to a 75w infrared? I can go ahead and put the foil and paper around the tank also.

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I prefer infrared lights, high heat output with little visible light.

Well I went to Petsmart to get the light and of course they were out until next week. So I will go ahead and order the thermostat and get the bulb next week. I did get aluminum foil and aluminum tape to do that part. Any other options besides white paper fort he sides?

You can get the thermo hygro from Walmart for about $12. I love the glass tanks for viewing my snakes but they are bulky and don't hold humidity or heat well. I switched to bins about a month ago. They hold both so much better. Also the light is only drying out your caging faster. The UTH is better for giving the belly heat your snake needs to digest its food. Lamps won't do that. Also snakes don't need special lamps. I wouldn't use anything over a 50w lamp if you are determined to use one. Insulating the glass will help bring up the temp also. I use coco husk for my substrate because it holds better humidity. I'm extremely cautious about what can cause fires because I've been through a house fire and lost most of my pets I had.

I want a better enclosure. If I had more than just one snake I might consider tubs, but with just her I wanted a nice place for her. If I had tools and stuff I would just make a nice melamine enclosure, but I have no tools, and have never been crafty. I wanted to buy one but I hate ordering things thinking they might get broke. Any suggestions on maybe something to buy or a better type of enclosure?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ssecrest77

I want a better enclosure. If I had more than just one snake I might consider tubs, but with just her I wanted a nice place for her. If I had tools and stuff I would just make a nice melamine enclosure, but I have no tools, and have never been crafty. I wanted to buy one but I hate ordering things thinking they might get broke. Any suggestions on maybe something to buy or a better type of enclosure?

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Animal plastics PVC cages. They are great cages from a great company.

Here is some info on their cages:

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...With-Pictures!

Here is their website:

http://www.apcages.com/home/

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/...f.jpg~original

Quote:

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Originally Posted by The Serpent Merchant

Animal plastics PVC cages. They are great cages from a great company.

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x2 Love my AP terrarium.


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Do they come with heating? Is there a lot of work to do with them once you buy one? What type of lighting would I need to install to display them and see them?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ssecrest77

Do they come with heating? Is there a lot of work to do with them once you buy one? What type of lighting would I need to install to display them and see them?

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You can order them with heat tape, or if you buy a radiant heat panel and have it shipped to them they will install it for you.

The cages require assembly. It is very easy and only takes 10-20 minutes. If you have 2 hands and a screwdriver you can do it. All the holes are predrolled and the cage was assembled at the factory before being takes back apart for shipping to make sure everything fits.

As for lighting I would recommend you get 1 or 2 of the optional white fluorescent light fixtures sold by AP. They will install them for you.

Past that you will have to tape the heat tape to the bottom of the cage. Once again nothing to worry about.

These cages hold heat and humidity in better than just about anything. Most people find that they actually have too much humidity rather than not enough.