Question about heating (just getting started)

[Skywalker134]

Hey everyone,

I just have a couple questions about setting up my baby Ball Python's tank. I just purchased her yesterday, and she is only 2 and a half months old. As you can see from my picture below, she is in a 40 gallon tank, and I only have one 75W light on it. Now from doing some research on the internet, I'm under the impression that I need another light (for night time), and some sort of under-tank heating pad. My question is: is it absolutely necessary that I get these things right away? If these are things that are crucial to my snake's health, then I will go out and purchase them ASAP...I just want to make sure that I'm not hurting her by only having one light at the moment. Also, is 75W enough for a 40 gal tank? The pet store told me it's fine, but it seems like there are a vast variety of opinions out there. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Here is my current setup. Feel free to make any suggestions!

[I-KandyReptiles]

If you are able to keep temperatures proper with just a lamp, that would be fine.

Ambient: 79-81
Cool: 79-81
Hot: 89-91

A under tank heater works well because ball pythons use heat to digest their food. If you use one you must have a THERMOSTAT to regulate the heat it emits. UTH do not change ambient temperatures and is used to create the hot spot.

As for the lamp, buy an infrared one. That way you can leave it on without disrupting your Bp. Heat lamps are rarely used because they destroy humidity which is hard enough to try and maintain using a tank.

Your setup looks good, although of recommend getting another hide. It's a good idea to have matching hides on the cool and hot side so your snake can thermoregulate.

[The Serpent Merchant]

Checkout this thread, it goes over cage heating in detail:

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...t-Thermometers

Your snake needs heat 24/7 (90 degrees F on the hot side 80 degrees F on the cool side) I would suggest getting an infrared heat bulb as they can be used 24/7. White heat bulbs stress BP's out and shouldn't be used at night.

Here is a good infrared heat bulb: http://www.petsmart.com/product/inde...uctId=11147193

The rest is covered in the thread I linked above. If you have any questions feel free to ask!

[Skywalker134]

thanks for the help guys, I really appreciate it.

Aaron, that guide you wrote was extremely helpful, I feel like I have a much better understanding of how heating works. I'm probably going to return the white light and replace it with an infrared light. But in the meantime, will the white light be okay? I mean like will it be okay for a day or two? (I might not be able to get to PetSmart until tomorrow or the next day)

[The Serpent Merchant]

thanks for the help guys, I really appreciate it.

Aaron, that guide you wrote was extremely helpful, I feel like I have a much better understanding of how heating works. I'm probably going to return the white light and replace it with an infrared light. But in the meantime, will the white light be okay? I mean like will it be okay for a day or two? (I might not be able to get to PetSmart until tomorrow or the next day)

Yes it will be fine for a day or so. I would even leave it on at night (heat is more important than potentially stressing your snake) But I would replace it as soon as possible.

[Skywalker134]

okay, I will replace it as soon as possible. I have her tank in my bedroom right now and it's pretty hard to sleep with the white light on anyways, so the infrared would be ideal. I'm also going to check out some under-tank heaters, and I'll probably buy that thermometer from Wal-Mart.

[The Serpent Merchant]

Seeing that you are in Canada this thread might be helpful (some parts of Canada seem to have the acu-rites but others don't)

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...te#post1936778

[I-KandyReptiles]

okay, I will replace it as soon as possible. I have her tank in my bedroom right now and it's pretty hard to sleep with the white light on anyways, so the infrared would be ideal. I'm also going to check out some under-tank heaters, and I'll probably buy that thermometer from Wal-Mart.

Please don't forget the thermostat as well if you get a UTH

And yes, you'll find it much easier to sleep with the red light :p it's kinda relaxin to look at too!

[I-KandyReptiles]

Seeing that you are in Canada this thread might be helpful (some parts of Canada seem to have the acu-rites but others don't)

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...te#post1936778

LOL yes!
I got quoted xD

[The Serpent Merchant]

LOL yes!
I got quoted xD

I can't even tell you how many PM's I've gotten from Canadian forum members asking for alternatives to the Acu-Rite in Canada... and seeing how I live about as far away from Canada as physically possible in the Continental US I never could give an answer lol.