what to do?

So I posted earlier this week that I got my first bp. I couldnt be happier, but can she? so she is roughlt 3 ft long and a bit on the skinny side. But that is not my delima. She is currently in a 50 gal tank with a 100watt inferred bulb as well as a UTh. Now when I got her the tank and heat lamp and heat pad came with her. The guy i got her from didnt have them regualted at all. So once I got her home I put both the UTH and the Heat lamp on reostats. I then got everything set to proper temps. Im monitoring them with an indoor/outdoor temp/hygo as well as a temp gun.

I have 2 question. First I have a hot spot temp of 88-91 but since the tank is so large it gradually goes down from there. At the end furthest from the hot spot it stays anywhere between 75-78. So I have noticed that the she prefers the cold end to the hot end. not to say she doesnt use the hot end. so my question is can an animal become accostomed to lower temps and prefer them? I ask only because, like I said, the previouse owner had no regualatoons on the heat.

My next question is would I, as well as her, be better of swithching to a tub setup? I my ambient temps stay right around 72 in my house. Just to be safe I would use two UTHs a one set at 90 and one covering the remainder of the tank and set at 80ish. would this benifit me in any way or should i continue using my current setup.

P.S. any suggestions or advice will be greatly apreciated. If im doing something please tell me, tactfully if you could.:)

75-78F for one end should be fine. With a lamp and a UTH (both regulated) the only big issue I can see is it being dry in there. If it is dry, less chance of a respiratory illness with lower temperatures.

If you notice she prefers the cool end anyhow, shouldn't be an issue in my opinion. Others might disagree, though. It's when your setup drops below 75F (including at night) or on a regular besis that is an issue.

I think as long as you've got the heat gradient where it should be, you're alright. I have never used tubs so I can't speak for them. I have used glass tanks (but my largest was a 30 gal) and PVC. I think you can make just about anything work, really. Many people use the glass tanks and love them - others not so much. I really loved mine. To combat the dryness I used moss hides. I actually found glass easier ot heat than PVC for the ball python.

Best of luck!

thank you for your opnion! beleive it or not my humididty stays between 54% and 62%. I also on the coast less than a 1/4 mile from the beach. So im sure that has a lot to do with it. I have ordered some flexwatt to increase the are of the hot spot. Again the previous owner had a used a 6"x 4" UTH. I would really like to increase the cool temp closer to 80. Im terrifyed of and RI developing.

You also don't want to make it too hot in there either. But 75F at 62% humidity is questionable as well. Just make sure you are accurately measuring temps. For the hot spot, where you do have your probe placed?
Generally speaking, many people place the thermostat probe on the outside of the glass (in between the UTH and vive - in the middle) and another probed thermometer directly on the glass on the side of the vive - secured in place by something, usually dried hot glue and agian in the middle of the UTH.

If you are using rheostats I strongly suggest you use thermostats as they keep the temperature to a certain degree (or within a range), rather than having to constantly check and adjust the rheostat based on changes in your home environment. Rheostats only dim the output of electricity to the UTH, they don't control for temperature variation in the outside environment. Thermostats are set at specific temperatures.

It may also be more appropriate to have two light domes - either red bulbs or strictly heat emitting bulbs, so they will not be turned off at night - of lower wattages than one with a huge wattage. This way you will have less severity among your temperature throughout the vive, but can still maintain that heat gradient.

So I have the probe under the substrate(news paper) in the middle of the UTH. I know this is far from ideal. The prior owner assured me that the setup was perfect. When I arrived to pick her up, he then explained that i didnt need a thermostat and that if she got to hot she would move. I new this was false and added the restats as soon as I got her home. the reostats are not permanent, I will be ordering a thermostat friday. I also have to feet of flexwatt on its way now. Again Im also using a heat gun to measure temps.

As far as adding another dome goes, would I place both next to each other? Or would I want them on either end?

a tub is much better for your snake than a tank. the snake might be seeking the cool end as it feels more secure there. I would clutter it up a lot. snakes feel more secure with less height. also put a hide on both ends too.

I was starting to think the same. It just seems easier in the long run. Thanks again.

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A tub will also be easier to clean completely on a regular basis.

To each their own :) I prefer visual vives myself, but if you do get a tub I know it saves room (for more snakes... hehe). If you'd like to sell your glass stuff to someone starting out, make sure to let them know about the *proper* set up, and places to go for info - LIKE HERE!

There's absolutely no evidence to support that a tub, is "better" for your snake over a tank.

A tank is more finicky to setup, but can be regulated well when setup correctly with the snake in mind. You should always put the snakes security and well being over any desire for "looks" but that said, there's no reason why your tank can't look great, and be a fantastic well regulated home for your ball python.

If your primary goal is the snake feeling secure (which it should be) then a tub is a much better choice IMO. Glass tanks seem to stress a ball python out due to complete exposure on at least one side and husbandry requirements are more difficult to meet than in a tub in my experience.

I know many people want to have awesome looking glass set-ups that are fun to look at and show off to people, I just feel like ball pythons aren't the best choice for a "display" animal.

If your tank is setup correctly with appropriate cover and hides an open face shouldn't make a difference to the snake security.

One would argue a hide within a tub or rack is redundant, yet I see people do that too.

To each their own I guess. So long as the emphasis is on the snake, and your meeting the animals requirements.

Ball Pythons aren't display animals and if the goal is to force the SNAKE out into the open to be looked at, you're going to have a problem.

If you want the TANK to look pretty and the snake has plenty of cover, you live in a humid place or can compensate for that, i really, really don't think it matters. Tubs are great. They can be stacked and save space, they are easier and lighter to move and clean. Because of that I, at least, can give more space in a tub than a tank.

But I've said before and will say again the BP I keep in a tank, who has the choice to hide or peek out, and vertical space? He's by FAR more the more confident snake. He still hides most of the time, but if he hears people moving around he'll come out to check me out. If his tank opens, he's actively coming out to see me. if I'm mucking around in that room, he comes out and looks to see what's going on.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y26...ps5c93977f.jpg

Basically, I don't think tubs are better or worse for your snake, but I think they're about 200% less 'pet rock' and 'boring' when they're given the choice of having a view of what's going on around them. I also think they eventually gain confidence and get less fearful and PRONE to stress at every little thing. (I keep snakes in tanks and snakes in tubs. I'm not criticizing either.)

You know what? My ball python is my ONLY display animal!
I didn't plan it that way, or expect it, but it happens and it's great! :)
He comes out at the same time every night, perches on his log at the front of the glass, and watches the world go by from 9pm-1am. I love it. He's a delight. SO THERE :zerb:



;)

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Originally Posted by NH93

You know what? My ball python is my ONLY display animal!
I didn't plan it that way, or expect it, but it happens and it's great! :)
He comes out at the same time every night, perches on his log at the front of the glass, and watches the world go by from 9pm-1am. I love it. He's a delight. SO THERE :zerb:



;)

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Same here! Mine is out every night and appears to watch tv quite a bit. If I walk to one side of her enclosure she seems to follow me with curiosity.
Not all are display animals, but some are pretty good at it, especially if your a night owl!

Yours sounds like mine :D

http://i.imgur.com/JFfywBY.jpg

I know people keep ball pythons in tanks and they do fine. I'm sure after a while they can be conditioned to relax and mull around the tank and not be spooked everytime someone walks by.

When I first started keeping my ball pythons I had them in glass aquariums w/ half logs as hides, so maybe the reason that I don't like tanks is the fact that my husbandry was so terrible and the snakes never seemed relaxed.

Idk if I would consider a nocturnal snake that only comes out once it gets dark a display animal either. But everyone has there own schedule so if you're up all night then right on lol.

Lol speaking of half log hides. I have 4 hides in her setup. A hallowed out tree stump, 2 conventional made hides, and one hollowed out log. Guess which one she uses 90% of the time! regardless of where I put it? :D

Doublepost *

Of course she does lol I didnt mean it as a barb. Your set up looks way better than my old ones ever did.

Everything I've said is just personal experience and all of your BP's look perfectly comfortable in their glass enclosures, mine just never did. Good thing I have a beardie!

My display snake is exactly that. No glass fish tank, but a display case that is air tight except where its vented in the back. http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/15/getygura.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/15/y7utede6.jpg

That mojave is sweet!

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Originally Posted by ginja ninja

That mojave is sweet!

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Thanks! Had several classics but she is my first morph!