Question about heating

Hello all,
I haven't gotten my ball python just yet, but I'm trying to get an enclosure ready. I've been doing some research but I'm still a little confused on the heating. I know this is one of the most important parts so I want to make sure I'm doing it right. I am using a plastic bin with a UTH and thermostat. I was confused about where to put the probe but recently learned that I put it between the UTH and enclosure? I initially thought I would put in inside the enclosure. Also would I need any other heat source? I'm not sure if the UTH just heats up the spot it touches or actually warms up the cage? I live in an apartment and the temp normally stays in the 70s.

Thanks in advance!
and any other advice is appreciated as well!

Yes the thermostat probe should be between the enclosure and uth. You want it to kick off before the bin gets dangerously hot. You'd want to put your thermometer and hygrometer probe inside the enclosure. The uth should be fine alone since you keep your apartment in the 70's.

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pezz is correct. The probe goes between the bottom of the tank and you UTH. Never inside of the tank.

Personally I like to tape the probe to the bottom of the UTH, especially if you have one of those UTH that has a sticky side. That way if you upgrade your thermostat you don't have to peel off your UTH which could damage it.

Okay! Probe on the outside. And that should be all I need in terms of heat?

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Originally Posted by Billingsca91

Okay! Probe on the outside. And that should be all I need in terms of heat?

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beeps need a hot spot that hovers around 90° F, ambient (air) temps that never fall below 75° F (most try to keep it at 80° F), and a cool side that stays around 80° F.

whether you need more supplemental heating to reach these temperatures depends on your own environment. once you get a digital temperature gauge in the enclosure you'll see where you ambient temperatures are at and whether you'll need something else.

so what are your ambient temps at now?

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Originally Posted by Billingsca91

Okay! Probe on the outside. And that should be all I need in terms of heat?

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A regulated UTH does little to nothing for ambient temperature. You will have to see if you need something to raise ambient.

Oh okay. I just got home and the digital thermometer says 74, when I use the infrared thermometer gun it says it's 77 on the cool side and right at 90 where the UTH is. I will note though that my apartment is a little on the warm side right now so it may be a few degrees cooler at times. Do y'all think it would be a good idea to get a low watt ceramic bulb and lamp with a thermostat? Have it a little ways away from the container. It'll heat it up if the temp gets too low?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Billingsca91

Oh okay. I just got home and the digital thermometer says 74, when I use the infrared thermometer gun it says it's 77 on the cool side and right at 90 where the UTH is. I will note though that my apartment is a little on the warm side right now so it may be a few degrees cooler at times. Do y'all think it would be a good idea to get a low watt ceramic bulb and lamp with a thermostat? Have it a little ways away from the container. It'll heat it up if the temp gets too low?

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yes, a CHE would work very well to keep those temps where they should be. i would definitely recommend you get one with a thermostat.

Awesome! That'll be the next thing I get before getting my BP. I should be ready after that! I just wanted to make sure cuz when I felt the UTH, I could feel the bottom was warm but wasn't like emitting heat. Now I know! Thanks everyone!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Billingsca91

Awesome! That'll be the next thing I get before getting my BP. I should be ready after that! I just wanted to make sure cuz when I felt the UTH, I could feel the bottom was warm but wasn't like emitting heat. Now I know! Thanks everyone!

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keep us posted on your updates, and hopefully when your noodle comes home!!! [emoji3]

Heads up, when securing down the thermostat probe, never tape over the probe itself. This can create false readings especially if you use metal tape.

Ahh, thanks for that heads up! That's probably exactly what I was going to do. Also any suggestions on where exactly to put the thermostat probe on the hot side? Say if I use news paper as the substrate.. do I put it on top of the newspaper or underneath?

Thermostat is the controller of the heat device, thermometer is the device used to read the temperatures. Just to be clear so we don't mix wording up ;)

The thermostat probe must go outside of the tank.

You have two options depending on if you use heat tape or those zilla like heating pads.

Since the pads are extra thick and tend to not like shoving a probe between them and the enclosure, you can stick them on the outside of the heating pad and use styrofoam to make sure it stays in place. Any of that thick packing styrofoam or housing insulation polystyrene (same thing) will do. You put a block of styrofoam under the enclosure and it not only insulates the bottom, it keeps the probe form moving around and not being in direct contact with the heat mat.

This is what I am talking about the second from the top is around the thickness that works best.

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...om/eVmDhZC.jpg


If you have heat tape it must go between the heat tape and the bottom of the enclosure.

Oh my bad, I meant the thermometer probe. Mixed up my wording there. Where should I put the thermometer probe? But that's a good idea on the thermostat probe! I have a heating pad.