ball python heating and humidity trouble

[mcallisterjack]

i just bought a baby ball python about 6 days ago and im having trouble keeping my tank at the right temprature and humidity levels..
my thermometer says its like 100 degrees and my humidity meter says it 60 %
idk what to do ive tried restricting the flow of air and putting a damp towel over the top of of the mest lid.. idk what else to do ?

any tips or ideas would help alot! thanks!


Jack

[DutchHerp]

turn down the thermostat...

[mcallisterjack]

what do you mean by thermostat ?
i have a heat bulb that the guy at the store recomended..

i had a bearded drangon at one point and it was the same bulb that i was
using then.. but idk is there any other options i can do like wattages of bulbs or what ?

[disabled.101]

Okay way to hot in there. Go to the store and buy an Acu-Rite for proper measurement of temps. Then go to a hardware store an buy a light dimmer with the correct wattage for now.
Then go online and look at Herpstat, Helix or any other proportional thermostat.

A thermostat measures the temps and gives power to the heat sources to keep the temperature at what you set it. On/Off are cheap but have swings in temps. Proportional ones are spot on but more expensive

[disabled.101]

Forgot to add:
Whats your substrate?
Do you have 2 Hide boxes?
How are you measuring temps?
Do you have a pic of your enclosure?

[DutchHerp]

eulenspiegel nailed it. You really need a thermostat to control the heat in the cage, the highest temperature the cage should reach is 95, 90-94 is preferred by most BPs.

[mcallisterjack]

well im new at this
so bear with me what do you mean by substrate?
yeah i have two hide boxes but i made a substitue out ouf cardbord untill i get a little more money.. what are the prefered hide boxes ?
also the acu-rite is it at petsmart or petco ? would i have to order it online ?
and what is the correct wattage ? cause the bulb the guy sold me is like a 100 watts or something idk ?
and to measure my temps is just a thermometer that you stick on the side of the tank...same with the humidity gage thing.. both purchased at petco.

i have a ten gallon aquarium that im just using till it gets bigger and when i have more money to afford the larger tank..
i just wanna know what the best options are to make sure the tank is in good condtions for the while i have my snake in this enclosure to ensure the snakes good health...

[DutchHerp]

well im new at this
so bear with me what do you mean by substrate?
yeah i have two hide boxes but i made a substitue out ouf cardbord untill i get a little more money.. what are the prefered hide boxes ?
also the acu-rite is it at petsmart or petco ? would i have to order it online ?
and what is the correct wattage ? cause the bulb the guy sold me is like a 100 watts or something idk ?
and to measure my temps is just a thermometer that you stick on the side of the tank...same with the humidity gage thing.. both purchased at petco.

i have a ten gallon aquarium that im just using till it gets bigger and when i have more money to afford the larger tank..
i just wanna know what the best options are to make sure the tank is in good condtions for the while i have my snake in this enclosure to ensure the snakes good health...

Substrate is the bedding of the tank; i.e., aspen, reptibark, cypress mulch, etc. What do you use?

Preferred hide boxes are dark, tight fitting areas. Cardboard boxes will actually do fine. I got sick of looking for decent hide boxes so I got mine from Reptile Basics

http://www.reptilebasics.com/Hide-Boxes-p-1-c-282.html

The acu-rite is not at pet stores... I got mine at wal-mart, but they're also at Home Depot, Target, Lowe's, etc. The unit itself measures ambient air temperatures and humidity, and there's a remote probe running from it with which you can measure the hot side of the tank. They run about 13-15 dollars.

I don't know anything about rheostats, I only use thermostats.

The stick on thermometers and hygrometers just do not work. You should get the acu-rite

[mcallisterjack]

i have aspen as the abstrate in the tank..
ok i will get the acu-rite and the new hide boxes the prices are very reasonable.
thanks for the tips!
i have one more question..
what should i do about my heating problem ?
new bulbs or something else that works..
ive heard about heating pads but im not sure about them ?

[MUSTANGGTANDGSXR]

under tank heaters are the best way to go. get one of those with a thermostat, and put it on the hot side and a 50w bulb for ambient. foil treat your screen top. abd enjoy the hobby. by the way. this will not be your only bp. it gets addicting.

edit-

forgot to mention... cover 3 sides of the tank with foam core board or some kind of insulation. helps with temps