Another Temperature Question

[szon3]

My tank is a 50 gal. bow front with 3 sides covered with stryofoam fake rock. Middle of tank (8" from the bottomof the tank) temp is around 75-78 degrees. Floor temp gradient varies 80 to 90. Is that ok? I hate to use a lamp because of humidity problems

[mpkeelee]

your tank is too big.

[dragonboy4578]

Is it 80 at one end and 90 at the other, or is the temp fluctuating that much?

[dragonboy4578]

your tank is too big.

I agree with that also.

[vangarret2000]

Don't worry about the temp halfway up. You need to make sure you have a temp gradient on the gound. 80-90 is good if one end is 80 and the other is 90, but if the whole gorund is just flctuating by that much that isn't right. Don't add a lamp just make sure your UTH is good and has a rheostat on it to control the temp.

What are the dimentions for the tank?

[szon3]

I agree the(free)tank and stand is a little on the large side. 1 hide is 80 and the other is 90. still working out the kinks before I put the bp in. Keeping it in a plastic tub would be easier.

[vangarret2000]

I agree the(free)tank and stand is a little on the large side. 1 hide is 80 and the other is 90. still working out the kinks before I put the bp in. Keeping it in a plastic tub would be easier.

Those temps should be fine. A big tanks isn't needed but one benifit is it gives them more room to defecate so it leave less a chance they might get it on their hides or water dish. With the small amount BP move though they won't really utilize the extra room that much. But you will get a big "empty" tank to look at is that what you want. And free is always good.

How old is the snake though? If it is just a baby having a huge tank could stress it out.

[szon3]

Bp is 40" 2 1/2 years old and female I was told. Thanks for all your quick responses

[svejuca]

WOW the tank looks very nice. Where did you get the this great rock styropfoam? I actually just wanted to post a temp question as well. I have a 40 Tank and a pad heat for a 40 Tank but that alone just doesn't get the temp high enough so I added a Lamp on.

The temp gauge is about 4 1/2" of the ground on both sides. It shows 70F on both sides. I just trying to switch the lamp from a 30W to a 60W. I finally got the Hum% right with adding a glass on top of the screen top and now the temp is all wrong. Before I added the glass i had 2 lamps one 60 one the side without the pad and a 30 on the side with the heading pad. Temp was 75 on one and 80-85 on the other. Can I add an other heading pad which i still have left from my 20Tank? If so where? Or is there anyway to take the lamps away for good?

Thanks for advise

[kitedemon]

The gradient is fine. *0 cool side 90 on the hot side is perfect. I might suggest that the hides be positioned over the hot spot and over the cool spot respectively. There can be comments that the hides should be the same or at least similar but if the snake is using both and regulating it is a moot point.

The size is fine big but fine, there are a lot of arguments over size but a well set up enclosure is fine for any ball python. Is your snake feeding ok? If it is the set up is good if not I'd add more plants that over hang the hides some so it is more 'close'

I have always followed that the minimum size is the snakes length should not exceed the circumference. Personally I try to follow 1/2 the circumference. The answer is from the snake itself if your snake is feeding, hiding during the day, and is inquisitive at night. As well as thermoregulating there is no problem, if not then checking all the aspects of husbandry is required size of the enclosure is just one aspect.