Tank requirment questions

I have a 54 long x22 wide x25 high terrarium for my ball pytjon i also have a 48x 18x18 which the lid is not secure reason to whynim using the other one. My temps arnt to bad and humidity seem to be fine the only problem is these tanks are big heavy and akward the main problem with the 54x is that when i have to install like heatingnpads lets say its a pain in the rear and it only covers a tiny tiny area since the tank is so big lol should i replace this tank with something smaller? Or is it okay to have them in such a big enclosure i want to make sure i never have to upgrade again reason i purchased the tank i now have no one told me what size tank i should have they said big isnt a problem but from what ive heard here which i just found these forums big enclosures arnt that great of an idea any advice would be appreciated thanks

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Also i hear things about a tub do you guys mean like a plastic rubber maid bin type deal if so how would you produce belly heat in one of those with a uth? How wouldnu even set one of those up i only have the 1 ball python and im not planning on getting anymore so if its kore of a rack system i wont be needing any sortnof rack system

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I just uploaded my tutorial. Just put your baby into a tub while you convert it over. It takes a few hours but they will be fine. It also gives you a change to run everything through the dishwasher lol.

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Originally Posted by Sunnieskys

I just uploaded my tutorial. Just put your baby into a tub while you convert it over. It takes a few hours but they will be fine. It also gives you a change to run everything through the dishwasher lol.

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My temps in my tank are constantly going up and down is that normal? My thermometor on cool side is reading 76.5 warmer side 77.2 but when i check temps with temp gun im getting 83-85 on warm side and 77 78 80 range with one tiny spot at like 73ish and thats the corner lol

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During the day usually temps on cool side are like 78 79 80 on the thermometor but seems like night time they drop alot more i have 2 ligjts in there both exo terra 1 150w on warm 100w on cool end

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So about 1/3 of bottom should have heat although I go about 1/2. This gives you the temp ranges that allow the snake to thermo regulate. The belly heat comes from the UTH. In a tub, depending on room temps and drafts, etc it my be hard to get decent ambient temps. I have my Boa in a 40qt bin using a UTH set at 90 and a second for the cool side at 80 and see ambient temps at about 80. Tubs really maintain humidity well but heat is tricky at least for me. I have to keep the room temp at 75 minimum.
I am looking into ways to insulate the tub and keeping a minimal layer of substrate helps also. Sterility or Rubbermaid are popular and there is a sticky going over tub set up that is worth looking at.

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Originally Posted by Jakethesnake69

So about 1/3 of bottom should have heat although I go about 1/2. This gives you the temp ranges that allow the snake to thermo regulate. The belly heat comes from the UTH. In a tub, depending on room temps and drafts, etc it my be hard to get decent ambient temps. I have my Boa in a 40qt bin using a UTH set at 90 and a second for the cool side at 80 and see ambient temps at about 80. Tubs really maintain humidity well but heat is tricky at least for me. I have to keep the room temp at 75 minimum.
I am looking into ways to insulate the tub and keeping a minimal layer of substrate helps also. Sterility or Rubbermaid are popular and there is a sticky going over tub set up that is worth looking at.

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I just put a space heater in my room to bring up tempatures seeing as my room is 71 to 72f so my temp gun reads at the wall i love this tank butnim starting to think it might be more of a pain in the ass then its worth i onlynpaid 150 for the tank it self so i dont really want to re sell it but at this point im kind of loss and i got a 17x11 exo terra large heating pad on the buttom so about 11 in in length ojt of 54 is covered so its just where his or her hide is that is pretty much heated and a little bigger area at the sides of hide

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Also jow do you check ambient tempatures exactly do you just go off the coldest spot in the tank with temp gun do u check with thermometor exactly how do you check the ambient temp?

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Entire enclosure. Where u see that line is from that line to the back of the hide rock is the uth i have setup https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...ec2f35cc26.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...febc61c63d.jpg

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If I were you I would just work with it. Tanks are a little more attention in terms of humidity but I like the display aspect. If my Boa were closer to full grown I would have her in a PVC or similar enclosure. Until then it’s a matter of economics. My Pastel is in a 40 gallon and most likely it’s big enough for her even full grown. I beleive it measures 36”x18”x16”. It’s wrapped in foam board and top covered. Temps are awsome and it just needs a spray down once a day.
I have an ultratherm 11” x 17” heat pad and a CHE 150 watt both on thermostats. Once it was set up it’s really not a big issue.

UTH do not contribute to ambient temps they are strictly for belly heat. I put my accurite digital hygrometer/thermometer in the front middle of my cage. That make it a little warmer on the hot side and a little cooler on the cool side. My heat gun measures the temp at the heat mat, on top of the hot hide and inside the hot hide on the substrate. My hygrometer/thermometer stays at 60% and between 80-81. I don't use a space heater. I have baseboard heating which never goes above 72 if ever. If you set up your tanks correctly you won't have an issue.

Athena loves it and utilizes every bit of it any wires seen are strictly temp and humidity probes except the one wire for CHE thermostat. I also have small bowl of water under CHE to aid in humidity some.dont mind the dual dial gauge it’s more a room temp tool.https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...1627368546.jpghttps://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...c324075e5a.jpg

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Originally Posted by Sunnieskys

UTH do not contribute to ambient temps they are strictly for belly heat. I put my accurite digital hygrometer/thermometer in the front middle of my cage. That make it a little warmer on the hot side and a little cooler on the cool side. My heat gun measures the temp at the heat mat, on top of the hot hide and inside the hot hide on the substrate. My hygrometer/thermometer stays at 60% and between 80-81. I don't use a space heater. I have baseboard heating which never goes above 72 if ever. If you set up your tanks correctly you won't have an issue.

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I know the uth wont give any ambient tempature but im having an issue during night keeping temps higher my temp gun reads floor in the 80s on warm side and i think 90 on top of hide 85 ish inside hide 90ish on glass where uth is but the cool side there some spots that i found at low 70s which im not liking at all

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Well ranges from 86ish to 90 on glass where uth is

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I see pretty consistent surface temps of 77-78 on cool side and heated side is steady at 87-89 most likely because I use an on/off thermostate and not a pulse type. It’s set to come on at 1 degree of temp drop from set temp. I see no variance from thermo setting and inside surface of glass, it’s set at 88. My CHE for ambient temps is at 80 it goes up to about 83 and cool side sees 76-77. Athena seems to thrive best in these conditions.

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Originally Posted by Dylan_

I know the uth wont give any ambient tempature but im having an issue during night keeping temps higher my temp gun reads floor in the 80s on warm side and i think 90 on top of hide 85 ish inside hide 90ish on glass where uth is but the cool side there some spots that i found at low 70s which im not liking at all

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Your hot side is fine. Move your heat lamp a little words the middle and it should raise your cool side a little. Use a CHE (on a dimmer)

I dont have a che i have 2 exo terra basking bulbs one of which is 150w on hot side and 100 watt on cool side reason im using exo terra is they dont get as hot as zoomed i tried tonuse a zoo med 150w and i ended up with 100f basking spot on top of my hide lol

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Are they white bulbs or red/black bulbs?

Side note on dimmer switch, this may be brand type specific but I don’t see temps below 110 with the dimmers on a CHE I have but I have only used one type. Not reptile specific.

I was gojng to put another 150w exo terra on the other side butni decided not to because i dont need to create 2 basking areas so im not sure what to do bwcause if i put another 150w on there whats going to happen is the hide ontop of the cool side will hit about 90f on the top of the hide

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Originally Posted by Sunnieskys

Are they white bulbs or red/black bulbs?

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Red

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You definitely need more "stuff" and clutter in your current tank for a ball python to feel comfortable, especially if it's young/small. For example, what jakethesnake posted is perfect (but adding even more stuff like fake leafy vines wouldn't hurt and would always help them feel secure). You also need more small hides that fit snugly with your ball python, not huge ones.

As long as you can maintain proper temperatures and humidity and clutter in that big tank, it will be fine. If you can't, then you might want to go with a pvc cage or a tub setup.

I have a rheostat which is a fancy name for dimmer. Also depends on the wattage of bulb you have.

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Originally Posted by Dylan_

Red

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Keep the red on then. You don't need to turn it off. Keep your temps steady.

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Originally Posted by redshepherd

You definitely need more "stuff" and clutter in your current tank for a ball python to feel comfortable, especially if it's young/small. For example, what jakethesnake posted is perfect (but adding even more stuff like fake leafy vines wouldn't hurt and would always help them feel secure). You also need more small hides that fit snugly with your ball python, not huge ones.

As long as you can maintain proper temperatures and humidity and clutter in that big tank, it will be fine. If you can't, then you might want to go with a pvc cage or a tub setup.

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My ball is young but it does not like the small hide at all i was going to get another small one its about 7 or 8 month old ball and it likes the rock hide the best i cant figure out why i put it on both sides and it always goes for the rock one

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This is why hides need to be identical. He is choosing comfort over temperature.

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Originally Posted by Sunnieskys

I have a rheostat which is a fancy name for dimmer. Also depends on the wattage of bulb you have.

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Keep the red on then. You don't need to turn it off. Keep your temps steady.

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I have them on 24/7 its just night time im having issues with during the day is fine it was keeping a temp of around 80 all day at the cold side but nights it drops to lower i live in a basement so its horrible for temps

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Originally Posted by Sunnieskys

This is why hides need to be identical. He is choosing comfort over temperature.

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Im going to be replacing the rock hide i just cant untill next week sometime im thinking of maybe cutting holes in 2 margarine contai ers for now to use untill i can get identical hides

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That works

I used a box my cell phone came in for awhile, snakes are not really picky. Water trays from plastic plant pots work also.

My eco esrth i movdd around a bit cause the buttom was still a little damp and now my temps are even lower on surface thinking of drying it. Would eco earth be better then aspen for bedding?

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Originally Posted by Dylan_

My eco esrth i movdd around a bit cause the buttom was still a little damp and now my temps are even lower on surface thinking of drying it. Would eco earth be better then aspen for bedding?

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Yes! Aspen molds if too wet and/or dries out quickly.

If you are having problems with temps at night you can put a space heater on a themostat as well. It will kick on at night when the temps drop to whatever you set it at.. I was using that set up before I got my AP with RHP.

Seriously debaiting on just buying a tote it would probably be 100x easier to keep tempatures right and not have to clutter the crap out of it to make the snake feel secure this tank is starting to cost me a small fortune to try to setup i could probably get ridnof the lights as well if jot stleast downgrade to 1 light i like the tank im just tirednof trying to maintain the temps probably not that exspensive to get a large tote and if i do get a tote can they live in that the rest of there lives or am i going to need something else when its an adult?

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What the lowest the cool side should get to?

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75 is the basement. I like to see it a little higher, around 77.

The coldest spot which is a corner is like 73 most the other spots on the cool side range from 74ish 75 to 77-78

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Can the hides be clear like see through or do they have to be sonu cant see thro them i found 2 containers i can use but there clear

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Darker is better but you could always put paper around them so they can't see out.

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The spot that is 77-78 will be the best.

Something to consider is the tank itself will balance out. You have been working with it quite a bit. Give it some time and check it over again in a few hours. I change my substrate every 30 days and it takes a little time to heat up and balance out. I know everything is set so for 12 hours or so just look for equipment to work properly and check the hot side at glass. Not so much the air temps but the surface does take a little while. It’s easy to go crazy in the details.
They like to feel secure so clear could give them the impression they are in the open. Like Sunnieskys said covering with paper would be good.

My cool side is about 78 with the gradient from the che

Okau thanks i think its as cool as itnis because the underneath of substrate never dried that well sonim going to move ot arpund and dry it out more and see of that helps

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Keep in mind, you can always buy a tub right now.. and keep the tank for later when he has put on some size.. When I first got my little guy I had him in one of those shoebox size tubs and I have just recently upgraded him. I recently went to the post office and grabbed a couple of their small mailers for hides, Damian seems to enjoy them.. Also if you insulate three sides (if you have not done so yet) with foam board or something similar it will help to trap the heat and provide more security for him.

Trying to dry out most of substrate to see if thst helps more since the bottom of most ofnit is still a little damp especially on cool side and it being a little damp will defenitely lower temps

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How would i cover it with paper like what would i use to get the paper to stick for say because you cant use anything sticky in the enclosure would wedding the paper or news paper and attatching it to the hide and waiting to dry work or what would u recommend doing?

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Originally Posted by Dylan_

How would i cover it with paper like what would i use to get the paper to stick for say because you cant use anything sticky in the enclosure would wedding the paper or news paper and attatching it to the hide and waiting to dry work or what would u recommend doing?

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Wetting*

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If you were to black out the hides, maybe some non toxic glue? (Ive heard of people using hot glue in their enclosures) Honestly tho, I think it would be easier to find empty boxes laying around that would work better.. Sometimes Ill check the pantry for stuff.. Or you could swing by the store, buy a couple boxes of pasta.. cook them (or put them in a ziplock bag) and use them.. or you can snatch a box from work.. I took a couple that had pens in them and just put a rubber band on the pens.. Honestly any smaller box will do.

I use a lot of plant aucers for hides for youngsters - just cut a hole from the rim to the base to allow access - dark, low, tight. Exactly what a bp baby wants.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Plant-Sau...vcrS:rk:4:pf:0

similar to this - just get the deper ones for bigger babies.

So im still a little confused kn ambient tempatures can you read these with temp gun or digital thermometor if sonhow do you do it exactly if not how do you do it? Also this is the temp gun i have https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/m...-0574632p.html

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Dylan_

So im still a little confused kn ambient tempatures can you read these with temp gun or digital thermometor if sonhow do you do it exactly if not how do you do it? Also this is the temp gun i have https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/m...-0574632p.html

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So im still a little confused on ambient tempatures can you read these with temp gun or a digital thermometer? if so how do you do it exactly if not how would you go about checking ambient tempatures? also this is the temp gun i have
https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/m...-0574632p.html

Sorry i messed up big on first try the phone tempered glass messes up my typing alot

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