Temperature question!

So, during the day the warm side of my ball pythons tank is 90-93° and the cool side is around 79-81°. But once nighttime falls the cool side temps drop really low. I have an under tank heater as well as a basking light on the warm side so even at night the temps never fall below 90°. But, on the cool side the temps go from 65-70°. I know ball pythons can have a heat drop at night, but is this too low of a drop? I try everything to keep the ambient temps up at night. I have more than half of the lid covered with a thick towel and the area uncovered has the heat lamp. Yet still, the temps drop to the high 60s at night because my house gets so cold. (I am not in control of the thermostat so making the house warmer isn't an option). How else can I get the night time temps closer to 75+? Should I move the heat lamp to the cool side at night?
Or is it not a big deal as long as he has that 90° belly heat all night?

It will probably be ok if it hangs out on the warm side in a hide but with that much of a drop it's probably pretty drafty in there. This is why tanks are not good for them without lots of modifications. How's the humidity sitting? There are numerous threads with suggestions on how to modify a tank and sounds like for that big of a drop you'll want to find the instructions for covering 3 side's in foam for insulation. Hope you can get it worked out!

I keep my home cold. When my cages were not all in one room I had to have a 100watt che on the warm side and a 60watt on the cool side to keep things right.

I would look into getting a second light and put it on a timer to turn on at night.

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Originally Posted by KMG

I keep my home cold. When my cages were not all in one room I had to have a 100watt che on the warm side and a 60watt on the cool side to keep things right.

I would look into getting a second light and put it on a timer to turn on at night.

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How did you manage humidity with all the heat sources?


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Originally Posted by neonspeed

How did you manage humidity with all the heat sources?


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Damp moss in the hides.(both)

Kept it moist during a shed.

Allowed it to dry out between dampenings during non shed.

Worked great!

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Originally Posted by HannahLou

It will probably be ok if it hangs out on the warm side in a hide but with that much of a drop it's probably pretty drafty in there. This is why tanks are not good for them without lots of modifications. How's the humidity sitting? There are numerous threads with suggestions on how to modify a tank and sounds like for that big of a drop you'll want to find the instructions for covering 3 side's in foam for insulation. Hope you can get it worked out!

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Humidity is good. I have absolutely no problems keeping that up where it needs to be. It's just the temperature thats difficult. I will look more into insulating like you said, thanks.

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Originally Posted by KMG

I keep my home cold. When my cages were not all in one room I had to have a 100watt che on the warm side and a 60watt on the cool side to keep things right.

I would look into getting a second light and put it on a timer to turn on at night.

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I didn't think about using two lights. I will try that out and see how well it goes, as long as it doesn't lower the humidity too much.

Are you running your heat supplies (UTH and heat bulbs) with a thermostat?

Your night temps are definitely too cold and could lead to RI over time.

Speaking of night temps.....with a tstat is it best to keep the same temps 24 hours a day or should you ramp it down at night?

Also if belly temp (hot side and cool side) and humidity are right, is there any other measurement to be concerned with?

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Originally Posted by ckuhn003

Speaking of night temps.....with a tstat is it best to keep the same temps 24 hours a day or should you ramp it down at night?

Also if belly temp (hot side and cool side) and humidity are right, is there any other measurement to be concerned with?

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There is no need for it to drop at night. Some snakes for breeding purposes need it but that's not you so I wouldn't have a drop.

With good surface temps and humidity you still need the air temp in a the need range. 75F is the lowest most will go.

I don't drop my heat at night.

And like KMG said, you still need to maintain ambient temps. 75 is the lowest you should go, but 78-82 is ideal.

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Originally Posted by craigafrechette

Are you running your heat supplies (UTH and heat bulbs) with a thermostat?

Your night temps are definitely too cold and could lead to RI over time.

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The UTH is on a thermostat. The heat bulb is not on a thermostat, but it's a low wattage bulb so even though it's on 24/7 it never makes it too hot in his tank.

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Originally Posted by Hannahrenee

The UTH is on a thermostat. The heat bulb is not on a thermostat, but it's a low wattage bulb so even though it's on 24/7 it never makes it too hot in his tank.

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You should still regulate the temps from the heat bulb using a thermostat (or at the very least a rheostat/dimmer switch). It will eliminate the temp fluctuations and create a safer environment for your snake.

You're also going to need to get those night time temps up or your snake is risking RI.

Also, is this a dark bulb? The light being on 24/7 could cause lots of stress to your snake.

Also make sure the bulb is guarded , have you checked the temp of the bulb with a digital temp gun ?? Something anyone with an unguarded bulb in a viv - they get to scary , scary temps !!