need help please :D

so, I am getting a BP soon and we have the heat mat and it's thermostat and two thermometers. I noticed that the heat was only coming from the wall where the heat mat was (I wanted it underneath the terrarium but my dad insisted on putting it on the wall of the terrarium so we did) the heat wasn't warming the rest of the warm side hide and the middle of the terrarium was still 70 degrees Fahrenheit! I thought we could get a second heat mat and put it on the bottom of the terrarium. but what do you think? (by the way the temperature I have the heat mat set up to is between 87 and 95 degrees) thank you for your help please stay positive in comments. if I did something wrong, inform nicely please, I haven't gotten the snake yet we're just testing the equipment to see if we might need new or different things.

Heat mats do next to nothing for ambient temperatures and are really there just to create a hotspot for your snake. I would move your UTH under the tank where it belongs, under the warm hide. You can always get a second one set at a lower temp to go under your cool hide, but again this doesn't do anything for your ambient temperatures. If you were heating the room to create ambient temps that would be different, but if the inside of your enclosure is sitting around 70 it sounds like you're not doing that, and won't be able to get away with just a UTH. I would recommend picking up a CHE for your ambient temperatures. There are plenty of ways to insulate a glass enclosure if that's what you're using, but that won't matter if you don't have a heat source that's going to increase the ambient temperatures in there.

Is there any reason you have a 8 degree variant on the temps you have your UTH set to? Personally I set mine to create a warm spot right at 90-91, tested daily with a temp gun.

yeah, we're still testing it and trying to find out what works better. also I understand up to zero of those abbreviations so I am very confused at the moment

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Originally Posted by BoopsTheBallPython

yeah, we're still testing it and trying to find out what works better. also I understand up to zero of those abbreviations so I am very confused at the moment

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UTH- under tank heater, it's your heat mat
CHE- is a ceramic heat emitter, it's a bulb that produces heat but no light

it's hard to use any lamps because I'm not using a glass terrarium, it's a black big tote with air holes on the top. if we cut a whole for a lamp then the snake could possible escape. unless we find a way to put it inside?

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Originally Posted by BoopsTheBallPython

it's hard to use any lamps because I'm not using a glass terrarium, it's a black big tote with air holes on the top. if we cut a whole for a lamp then the snake could possible escape. unless we find a way to put it inside?

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https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...e-Basics-*DUW*

Take a look a look at this it should get you squared away for the most part.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BoopsTheBallPython

so, I am getting a BP soon and we have the heat mat and it's thermostat and two thermometers. I noticed that the heat was only coming from the wall where the heat mat was (I wanted it underneath the terrarium but my dad insisted on putting it on the wall of the terrarium so we did) the heat wasn't warming the rest of the warm side hide and the middle of the terrarium was still 70 degrees Fahrenheit! I thought we could get a second heat mat and put it on the bottom of the terrarium. but what do you think? (by the way the temperature I have the heat mat set up to is between 87 and 95 degrees) thank you for your help please stay positive in comments. if I did something wrong, inform nicely please, I haven't gotten the snake yet we're just testing the equipment to see if we might need new or different things.

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Sorry to say your dad is mistaken- heat rises, & UTH (heat mat) NEEDS to be under the bottom so the heat rises into where the snake can be over it. If the UTH is incorrectly installed on the side, most of the heat will go straight UP & away, & do nothing for the snake, unless of course you can teach him to stand up next to it or somehow stick to the side like a gecko. ;) (& you can't)

You will need to also check the temps. very carefully once the UTH is properly installed- it's not about what you set the thermostat to- you need to check what the temp. is inside where the snake can make contact, because he'll either be safe, healthy & warm if it's correct (88-90* maximum), or burned (injured) & needing the vet if it's too hot. A few degrees matters greatly.

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Originally Posted by BoopsTheBallPython

... it's a black big tote with air holes on the top...

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Black tote? You mean no room light gets in? You don't want to keep a snake in darkness.

Lights are risky inside- can be dangerous to mix electric light with an exploring snake that has a water bowl to crawl through & splash- snakes try to crawl on anything they can reach.

lol that's what I told my dad we are getting light strips to put on the cap to the tote and it has a remote so right when I wake up I will just press a button and KABLOOF there is light:)

It will be cheaper and easier to use a tote like this than to try to retrofit lighting:
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Hefty-25-Ga...Lid/1002612460

Note the four latches holding the lid, they will help prevent escapes.

very helpful! we have one with two latches (one on each side) and it has holes on it for Velcro strips or for string to tie the rest shut and secure it! I've tested it by trying to pull up on it and it didn't budge.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BoopsTheBallPython

lol that's what I told my dad we are getting light strips to put on the cap to the tote and it has a remote so right when I wake up I will just press a button and KABLOOF there is light:)

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Snakes need some light, but a bright light will stress them, especially when it's suddenly on.

So you cannot see thru the sides of this tote at all? That's not a good plan, sorry- it means you'll have to open it every time you want to check on the snake- which is something you'll need & want to be doing fairly often. This set-up is very likely to stress your snake into not eating- even with the right temperatures. Snakes are shy, especially BPs- and they are MOST afraid when we approach them...this is instinctive on their part.

they are dimmable lights, and we might find a way to do 'surgery' on the tote and replace the sides with small plastic clear window things to make it easier to check on him. my dad is very good at DIY and might be able to figure something out.

I'll mostly stay out of this conversation, as I don't convert totes to use for snakes, but a tote you cannot see into from all angles without opening the top is just a big frustration waiting to happen & is less safe for your snake- considering how often you'll want to look in on your pet (& should). Not sure what these totes cost (or how tight your budget is?) but starting over with one that you can see through seems like the best plan to me. You could use this black tote for secure & temporary use, like when you need to clean his home. Just a thought...

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Originally Posted by bcr229

It will be cheaper and easier to use a tote like this than to try to retrofit lighting:
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Hefty-25-Ga...Lid/1002612460

Note the four latches holding the lid, they will help prevent escapes.

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I agree...THIS is what you want ^ ^ ^ :gj:

Your black tote was great practice...now get the right thing as shown above.

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Originally Posted by Bogertophis

I agree...THIS is what you want ^ ^ ^ :gj:

Your black tote was great practice...now get the right thing as shown above.

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Occasionally they go on sale for $6-7 apiece, and I stock up because they're just too useful.

Even at $20 they're a bargain.

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Originally Posted by bcr229

Occasionally they go on sale for $6-7 apiece, and I stock up because they're just too useful.

Even at $20 they're a bargain.

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I’ve been using those exact tubs for years and they’re fantastic. I’ll happily keep paying $20 and it’s even better when they’re on sale


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I am going to join the chorus here and emphasize that a black tote isn't a good idea for either you or your snake. The opaque plastic totes like the one linked above are really the way to go. I use plastic totes for baby snakes and for some smaller juveniles while I wait for them to grow a bit and be transitioned into their adult PVC enclosures. Totes can be very nice for snakes, but they need to be properly set up.

Your dad may be concerned about fire danger when putting the heat mat under the tote, which is understandable. But a good heat mat that is regulated by a thermostat is safe, as you won't ever be setting the temperature over whatever is needed to create a warm spot of 90F in the enclosure...so your heat mat typically will never be set over 92-95 and that won't be an issue. It is a good idea to allow for a bit of air flow underneath, which you can set up by just putting the little sticky plastic or felt pads made to go under furniture legs on all four corners of the tote.

You CAN convert a tote to a front-opening enclosure with windows. A company called Specialty Enclosure Designs sells them, though others may as well. https://www.specialtyenclosuredesign...onversion+Kits. Photo below.

I have some concerns with what you are planning so far, and I don't mean at all to give you a hard time. I know you want the best for your snake, so I hope you will be patient with our suggestions and questions!
[IMG]https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...conversion.jpg[/IMG]